Shooting questions (and a training update)

[Cinnamontoast]

All you fabulous people who go out and shoot or beat or pick up, I need to pick your brains (euw!)

I would like to go to a shoot with the pups so I need to know:

*How old do they have to be?
*How do I find a local shoot?
*Would they be allowed to participate after attending several shoots?

After some issues with recall this week (at one point they were going home with two cyclists!), the OH got a nice heavy toy and we went to a huge field for some recall/retrieve/seek on training. They were FABULOUS! They were desperate to retrieve, Bear did the seek on thing for ages til he found the toy and they both shortened the distance they went from us afterwards. Confess I am thrilled! They came when called every time, even when an interesting dog came along. They completely ignored other dogs and listened to us properly. Brilliant dogs!

 

[Fee Fo]

Hi Cinnamon toast.

There isn't really a minimum age as far as I am aware. There are diffierent thoughts regarding what is best for dogs. Some trainers like to start their gun dog training as young as 8 weeks. In my opinion if you start them too young they can go stale easily. Mine has only started properly this season at 16 months old. He is lapping it up and has a real thirst for retrieving.

As to where you would find a local shoot, you'll just have to ask local people. They can differ so greatly, from friendly little farm rough shoots to the big formal £1k a day shoots. If I were you, to start your dogs off I would try to find a friendly little shoot, where you can make a few mistakes! A big formal shoot will be much more rigid about the standard of dogs and owners they allow behind the guns; after all they have people paying thousands a season. They can't risk a gun shy dog running amuck or one that has no recall.

As for when you can attend, it really depends on the shoot, you'd just have to enquire. Some big estates shoot 6 days a week; that would get you some pratice, if they'll let you in! We only do about 5 days a year, so our pratice ability is much more limited!

Good luck, sorry I can't be more helpful!!

 

[Ravenwood]

Evening Cinammontoast

How old are the pups? When I introduce a dog to shooting and of course if it coincides with the season (we start early here on Partridge) then if I thought they were ready, I would take them out at around 14/16 months. Do just one drive, stay out the back, keep them on the lead during the drive and only if the ideal opportunity presents itself ie: bird falls down dead nearby, dog marks it and no chance of any other dog nearby going for it then I would allow a retrieve. Having done that a few times I would then wait until next season when they are nearer two and start working them properly. Also they have to be incredibly well socialised as they will be travelling in the back of trucks with loads of other dogs!

We are surrounded by shoots here - there is one on nearly every farm now! Hence most of them are crying out for beaters - and this is an excellent way to get your foot in the door

Go to your local gun shop (just buy a new lead or whistle or something ) and ask them for the name and numbers of your nearest gamekeeper. Give him a ring and ask if you can go beating (without the dogs obvs!) and I am sure that once you have done it with them a few times they will let you bring a dog out.

What sort of shoots do you have round your way? I am good friends with a Sporting Agent - if you PM me your location I'll ask him if he knows some shoots near you

Oh and I should add - you must make sure your stop whistle is just as spot on as your recall

 

[Cinnamontoast]

The puppies are only 6 months so I was thinking of fairly far in the future. I'm in South Hertfordshire, so plenty of farms/estates nearby. I'll google a gun shop: there's one in Berkhamstead, which isn't far from us.

Is there a decent book (rules) I can get? I don't want to sound like a complete idiot if I do get the chance of attending a shoot at some point!

 

[Ravenwood]

Thats why I suggested going beating without the dogs to start with - that way you will find out how it all works and lots of shoots operate in different ways. The season doesn't end until the end of January so if you get your skates on you might get in a few days soon.

For example I pick up at very large commercial shoots (mega money shoots) and it is very smoothly and professionally run with head keeper, under keepers, etc etc. But yesterday I went to a small syndicate shoot (they asked me to pick up as their normal person was away) and it was lovely, really small scale and everyone all joining in together having a laugh - at the big shoots, the guns do not mix with the beaters!!

The latter sort of shoot would be a much better place for you to start. Like I say, pop into the gun shop and ask them.

There are loads of training books and videos but not sure on one that would explain what a shooting day is like.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Thank you. I'll pop into the gun shop when I'm next up in Berko.