Training Help

[stickchucker]

I live in the Sacramento area and I'm having trouble finding someone or someplace to buy live birds. I could also use any info or opinions on how to intraduce a 6mth lab to live birds?? any books I should own have GUN and WATER DOG.

[rlwright]

I use pigeons for training. I got one of those pigeon traps from cabelas and a 50# bag of pigeon food. Just find a roof with alot of pigeon activity and ask the owner if you can put your trap up there. So far I've caught as many as I can transport, all for the price of the trap and feed.
###I've searched the internet for peasants but everyone is sold out. The average price seems to be about 9.00$ a bird for a full grown pheasant. The problem is most gamebird farmers have a minnimun order and you have to order a season in advance. If you want to try your luck at raising them you can get eggs/chicks a lot cheaper and easier.

[Hntrjohn]

Lots of dairies in the Elk Grove area that would love you to take a few pigiens home.

I suply a local dog trainer with pigiens. In trade I get to take out his next to best dog by myself to chase a few pheasants.

John

[Dakota]

I agree with rl, use pigeons. ###I trap them as well. ###Use a freshly killed pigeon to introduce your dog to birds the first time. ###This will help to avoid agressive grabbing of the bird and hard mouth. ###The excitement of a live bird can initiate a problem. ###Make him hold it in his mouth. ###Then toss it for a short retrieve. ###Once your dog is comfortable with this move on to live birds.