When it comes to upland hunting, you need skill, practice, and a good dog to help you. Not every dog can help you out, and you need to know which one best fits your expertise and hunting style. Hunting dogs are in two main categories, pointers, and flushers. Whether you are hunting grouse or any other bird, these dogs help you catch your prey with their unique tactics. The following comparison will help in identifying your best choice.
Pointers
As the name suggests, the dog helps in hunting by pointing you in the bird’s direction. Such dogs have a very sharp sense of smell, allowing them to track their prey’s airborne scent. Their work is usually to run in the direction of the smell, then stop at a distance and point you toward where the bird is. Nothing can escape the sniffer dog, whether hidden in the snow, bush, or up in the tree.
The training of these dogs usually involves the trainer teaching the dog not to bump into the birds. If that happens, the trainer does not shoot at the prey. This ensures that your dog knows that bumping into the target isn’t acceptable. However, even the most trained dog can make mistakes at times. Nevertheless, you should not encourage that by shooting at a bumped bird.
Depending on the training, the dog can perform short or long-range hunting. They can run ahead as far as you allow them and point birds for you as they wait for you to arrive. This means they will most likely cover a bigger area than you if they are long-range hunters. While many people say that pointers don’t like fetching the dead bird, you can train your dog to do so.
The most common dog breed for pointers is a setter. Nevertheless, all the following are wonderful upland hunting dog options:
• English setter
• Irish setter
• Gordon Setter
• English pointer
• Hungarian Pointer
• Italian Spinone,
• small munsterlander
Flushers
The work of a flusher is to bring out the prey from their hiding and cause them to fly toward you. For example, if you are hunting a prairie chicken, the dog will approach the hiding place and pounce on the bird from your opposite direction. The aim is to cause the prey to fly toward you so you can get a precise shot. While watching the dog put the prey into flight may be fun, you also need to be keen to ensure you don’t waste your bullets.
Intense training and breeding help to make the dogs effective. The trainer has to ensure that the flusher does not flush the grouse in the wrong direction, lest you spend time in the field and go home empty-handed. The dogs also stick within the gun range and do not run off far away like the pointers. A major plus for flushers is that they naturally retrieve the prey and do not need force retrieval training. Even if you shoot a big bird like a pheasant, they will always bring the dead bird to where you are.
Working with flushers in upland hunting means that you will have to cover as much ground as your dog. No matter the dog breed, your hunting partner will always remain by your side and will ensure that you thoroughly comb every spot that you pass through. However, you will need to be very fast in your shots lest the bird escapes. The beauty of working with a flusher is in the thrill and speed required to get your catch.
For flushing dogs, you can look at the following dog breed options:
• American water spaniel
• Boykin spaniel
• Chesapeake bay retriever
• Curly-coated retriever
• Flat-coated retriever
• English springer spaniel
• English cocker spaniel
• Golden retriever
• Labrador retriever
• Poodle
• Toller
Training
Whether you have a pointer or flusher, you must begin training when they are still young puppies. This way, they will easily learn the tactics and perfect them as they grow up. Training a pup is easier than when they are grown and have their own habits.
You can achieve your goal in training by involving the help of an expert hunting dog trainer. Every time you go for upland hunting for a chucker, ensure you continue instilling disciple in your dog to ensure they do not wander beyond their required limit. A whistle could be a good help in keeping them in check.
Conclusion
Both dogs play their role uniquely when it comes to hunting. The dog breed and type you choose depend on what experience you want with your dog. Get a well-trained hunting dog and bag more birds on your next outdoor weekend.