What else are y'all killing?

[sanjuanwormhatch]

Wabbit hunt looks like a lot of fun.

[JMiller]

Honestly a beagle would be way more practical than a bird dog out here.
We have tons a rabbits, while the upland birds are few and far between.
Need to research on whether a beagle can work birds.

[Michael Toris]

Springers can and will hunt rabbits if allowed.

[tomato can]

Ya what he said, spaniels will do both.  My AWS have flushed a bunch of hares when I was in NH. Mostly shot them off the jump though.  The one I got now is awesome on squirrels.  I got a johnny house full of quail to get him up n running on birds just gotta build the recall cage.  and frankly they are easier, if they bump a bird, you can still shoot.  If you start shooting bumped birds over a broke pointing dawg, they prob. aint gonna be broke for long.  Although nothing is as pretty as a shag on point well except for a poker tailed EP.  a little field english cocker would be something nice to have also. 

[Dougfish]

A springer would push a wabbit too fast. A small, short legged beagle won't run him into the next county at warp speed.

[sanjuanwormhatch]

Thoughts?  Prayers?

https://www.southernenvironment.org/news-and-press/news-feed/grant-awards-over-500000-for-collaborative-work-in-george-washington-nation

[Big J]

Interesting.  Curious what they plan on doing with the brook trout.  Heard there are some populations of reproducing Rainbow Trout in the Gorge section and feeders.  Also will be curious on how the American Chestnut restoration will go. 

[Michael Toris]

Ya what he said, spaniels will do both.  My AWS have flushed a bunch of hares when I was in NH. Mostly shot them off the jump though.  The one I got now is awesome on squirrels.  I got a johnny house full of quail to get him up n running on birds just gotta build the recall cage.  and frankly they are easier, if they bump a bird, you can still shoot.  If you start shooting bumped birds over a broke pointing dawg, they prob. aint gonna be broke for long.  Although nothing is as pretty as a shag on point well except for a poker tailed EP.  a little field english cocker would be something nice to have also. 

That video was cool as hell. First time I've seen a cocker hunted rather than petted.

[Dougfish]

Extra cool. We've had countless out of control beagles compared to that show. Lunatic. LOL.

[tomato can]

thats a field bred english cocker not a bench (show) american cocker.   whole different animal.   and rather well trained:  steady (Hup) to flush AND shot and quarters nicely to the whistle.   Honestly none of my AWS have ever been that broke.  And my last one may be my last one though I got a johnny house full of quail and I am gonna see what he does got.

[Michael Toris]

Never hunted a AWS. How do they compare to a Springer?

[tomato can]

very tough to compare breed to breed for me because their so much variability in the breed.  With mine and my experience AWS they are a bit smaller, slower flush for sure.  usually a one person dog.  Prob. a better cold water retriever than a SS.   I see a SS as a pheasant specialist and a AWS as an generalist that can take coldwater a bit better.  Also I find the AWS females more biddable.  I am on my first male and he is hard headed and sensitive.  Of course these are just generalizations.  A good dog is a good dog no matter what breed.  For me its all about parental bloodlines and can the breeder guarantee no hip displasia, eye problems or other genetic problems.  typically a price of the puppy will be the least of your concerns over the lifespan of the dog. 

[JMiller]

I've had pretty good results/luck in training my prior dogs with basic obedience, but they have just been pets, basically.

I am strongly considering a gun dog, but the opinions are all over the map as far as recommended breeds.

If you had to suggest a breed that is easy to train, or a good first gun dog breed, what would it be?

Obviously the first question is what do I hunt... well a little bit of everything, although I tend to focus on rabbits more than upland birds, because that's what's available. On the other hand, if I had a good dog, I'd probably go bird hunt more. Definitely needs push rabbits though. 

[sanjuanwormhatch]

Buddy got an english cocker.  He is going to hunt with us next weekend.  I'll report back.  But pretty versatile birds dogs (I'm brain dead today).  Probably not exceptional at any one thing but who cares. 

edit: I should probably add I am a rank amateur when it comes to all this. 

Also add I was talking to one of the most renowned grouse experts in my area and what he was describing (he hunts with a rangy brittany) I got to wonder if my golden doodle wouldn't be a half way decent dog - ability to cover a ton of ground and pretty smart and thus easy to train basic commands.  I'll probably get around to it in like 2026 though.

[Big J]

I got to wonder if my golden doodle wouldn't be a half way decent dog - ability to cover a ton of ground and pretty smart and thus easy to train basic commands.  I'll probably get around to it in like 2026 though.

Good luck with that.  Mine is a butthole. Smart dog, but too smart for it's own good.