ips does beating

[Darkside]

I shot yesterday at a high bird shoot beaters day...I know the drives really well after four seasons beating there...won the toss as A team captain, had to choose between Barns Strip, The Briom Banks and Pulpit or Meadow Head Wood, The Viaduct and Middle Glen. So basically one really good drive, one really high drive and one extreme drive each!!! 

Concerning the wind, I opted to shoot first and start on the Barns Strip. Drew badly as the back gun behind 7-8, because of the conditions (50mph+ wind) all the birds got blown down over the lower numbers,  5-1 got most of the shooting. Nothing came over me until near the end of the drive when 50+ covey of partridges burst out straight at me, underestimated their speed and height and missed both barrels...broke the gun and slammed one of the two shells that were between the fingers of my left hand into the gun, swung through the single high crossing partridge at the back, cursed myself thinking I'd missed way in front at the moment the gun fired only to see the bird pole axed dead in the air, hitting the bank 40yds behind me with a thump...WOW...couldn't belive how much in front of that little bird I was!?!? Managed another one that hit the bank much lower down and rolled into the burn that was raging in full spate and missed a couple of awkward curling crossing pheasants.

Drive two was special...moved up three from 10 to 3, right in the middle of the action!!! Further down the Glen, the Broom Banks has some stunning birds!!! The average bird yesterday would be 50-60yds with a good few 70yd birds too, curling on with a now 40mph+ wind behind them!!! I changed from 32g 4,s up to 36g 4's...which seemed to pay off with 8 stunning pheasants and an awesome partridge all dead in the air!!! Two more birds lost in the burn, almost a dog lost to trying to retrive them, the decision was made to abandon retives from the burn for the safety of the dogs!!! 

My team beat the next two drives for team B, giving them some excellent sport then steak pies and soup for lunch. 

Third drive, the Pulpit...I shot the Pulpit last years cocks day and it's fantastic!!! These are serious birds, I mean seriously serious in that kind of wind!!! 40g 4's for this one, I was glad I had them...the five birds I hit with then died with authority!!! Another two of mine lost down the burn!!!

Bag for the day 92.

4 of us went to flight pigeons at 4pm I shot 7 and the others shot 3...of that would take the bag over 100 for the day!!!

 

[ips]

update

season now well and truly over. Our first season showed a number of things that need improving so we have many months to get better. Eze was somewhat distracted whilst she was "in season" so for a few weeks I did little with her as far as formal training goes however for the last two weeks we have been working hard to get her stop well and truly reliable, this is coming on very well and along with recall has been proofed in many areas of distraction. We have also given a lot of time to her close hunting pattern her turns to whistle and hand are now near perfect. Steadiness to a thrown dummy is still not fully proofed but it continues to improve daily. We had a little issue last week were four hen pheasant decided to have evening walkies in our training feild, never seen them there before and as we went through the gate eze spotted one and before I could get to the whistle she ran in and pegged one, luckily it escaped her soft mouth but she was now in work mode and had her nose down. She showed great interest in some white grass at top corner and flushed another hen that was sat in deep cover. Recall was none existent at this stage, I think we were both taken aback by game in our space which is not usual so on that basis I forgive her. Anyway the training continues and we hope to iron out the few areas that need improvement.

further updates to follow as and when goals are achieved.

Ian & eze

 

[Sian]

update

season now well and truly over. Our first season showed a number of things that need improving so we have many months to get better. Eze was somewhat distracted whilst she was "in season" so for a few weeks I did little with her as far as formal training goes however for the last two weeks we have been working hard to get her stop well and truly reliable, this is coming on very well and along with recall has been proofed in many areas of distraction. We have also given a lot of time to her close hunting pattern her turns to whistle and hand are now near perfect. Steadiness to a thrown dummy is still not fully proofed but it continues to improve daily. We had a little issue last week were four hen pheasant decided to have evening walkies in our training feild, never seen them there before and as we went through the gate eze spotted one and before I could get to the whistle she ran in and pegged one, luckily it escaped her soft mouth but she was now in work mode and had her nose down. She showed great interest in some white grass at top corner and flushed another hen that was sat in deep cover. Recall was none existent at this stage, I think we were both taken aback by game in our space which is not usual so on that basis I forgive her. Anyway the training continues and we hope to iron out the few areas that need improvement.

further updates to follow as and when goals are achieved.

Ian & eze

Careful of nesting ones Ips.

 

[ips]

yes good point sian

 

[FlyingTrotter]

Great thread - we are about to get a black Lab pup - can't wait - different to a cocker I appreciate and the plan is to train as a peg dog but I'm sure it will be quite an experience

 

[ips]

I am sure you will enjoy the journey. I made many mistakes early on, I ain't no expert but my advice learned from experience is train one thing at a time and get it nailed before moving on. I tried to rush it but ended up with a dog that was half good at many things instead of very good at a few and had to go back a step a few times. If I had my time again I would get the following done in order.

sit

stay

recall

stop

I think if you get those perfect then the harder stuff such as steadiness would be much easier, I didn't and paid the price but we got there the hard way. You may of course know all that so apologies for my assumption that you are a novice like me.

 

[FlyingTrotter]

Thanks - we are new to gun dogs - we have located a top breeder of field champs and who is very nice and supportive through a shooting mate which seems to be an important starting point

we have some books and the Halstead DVDs and we are trying to establish some plans ahead of time - what you have said seems to connect perfectly with what we have been being told - basics basics basics - get something right before moving on etc etc

i am assisted by having a wife who is mad keen on training so it will be a team effort and she is very patient and has the time - I'll have to ensure I too am patient 

i guess the proof will come when the bundle of fur arrives - theory is fine but I'm expecting it to be a lot more challenging but we intend to enjoy the experience - the pup will be a part of the family first and a peg dog if things work out !!

 

[ips]

you will do fine. Enjoy

 

[ips]

steady double marked.

This is early days as until today she picks first dummy and takes it to second dummy instead of delivering it and waiting for command to retrieve second one as in this vid. Not perfect but steady which is main thing.

https://vimeo.com/158818735

 

[ips]

another for anyone who is interested

https://vimeo.com/158825912

 

[ips]

most recent training vid

https://vimeo.com/160287520

 

[ips]

This is were we are at.
You can just see the dummy fall in the distance, sent her on an arm command, bit of messing about picking it up which is not the normal for her.

 

[Sian]

23 minutes ago, ips said:

Such a good girl, so pretty Ips.

 

[Les53]

Nice dog mate! 

 

[ips]

7pm tonight

 

[ips]

my apologies for vids having been deleted this was done in a moment of frustration following unnecessary critique from some people on another forum. I don't need field trial I just need a reliable working dog that gets the job done and having got this far without any one to one training it may not be perfect but its better than I could ever have envisaged. Anyway I will post more vids as training landmarks are reached for anyone who may be interested.

the following terms and conditions apply...

if your not interested in a novice bloke training a very good dog unlucky enough to have been saddled with aforesaid bloke then do not open this thread this will ensure no frustration will be put upon the reader due to witnessing wrong methods or outcomes

 

[ips]

I am counting the weeks until the start of the season but I fear I will have to drag the ***** into the car at 8am as she has become spoiled due to being pampered by Mrs ips (not me honest) and will probably think stuff that its cold and wet and I am comfy in me bed.

does anyone do anything different with there dogs during the lead up to Oct , different training or different regime etc. ??

 

[Brand New]

Nothing different at all except maybe up the exercise and training. Our springers would sooner be wet cold and dirty but hunting. Im sure a true working cocker would be the same. Them show dogs wont get out of the car if its raining.

 

[ips]

my one has been spoiled ?

not by me I am tough with her ........ Not. ?

 

[ips]

vid of training to break away from the flush, this is proving considerably more difficult than I imagined on real live birds though ...