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Best chances for wild birds??? Pup Exposure
#6969434
11/22/17 04:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2
txfireman2004
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2 |
I have been training my new GSP puppy, and I'd like to get him on as many wild birds as possible for exposure this season. I'm pretty new to upland hunting and I'm not sure where to go to get him on the most birds. I can't really afford private ranches so I'm looking to hit public land in Texas and OK. I've heard Kansas and New Mexico are great, but I'd really like to stay closer to DFW. Is Matador worth it? Black Kettle? West Texas? Any advice would be appreciated.
Last edited by txfireman2004; 11/22/17 06:26 PM.
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Re: Best cahnces???
[Re: txfireman2004]
#6969451
11/22/17 04:32 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416
bill oxner
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 91,416 |
Sorry I can't help you with wild birds. You can take him to a NSTRA trial and hunt him on the leftover quail after the trial.
Quail hunting is like walking into, and out of a beautiful painting all day long. Gene Hill
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Re: Best cahnces???
[Re: txfireman2004]
#6969521
11/22/17 05:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 313
tx hunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 313 |
I'd hit the matador. Wouldn't even waste the $$ on Oklahoma.
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Re: Best cahnces???
[Re: txfireman2004]
#6972100
11/25/17 06:55 PM
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 40
GR Wilkins
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 40 |
I would try to Matador on a weekday if possible. Get there early & drive as far away from the entrance as you can. It is hard hunting with so many others out there but you can usually find a spot or two away from the main road you can hunt without too much pressure from fellow hunters. Good luck with your pup!
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Re: Best cahnces???
[Re: txfireman2004]
#6972440
11/26/17 02:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,762
nak
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,762 |
I’ve got a 11 month old Brittany pup, and I’ve been spending a lot of quality time at Matador...4 days in the last week and headed back tomorrow. It’s not like last year, but still better than 3 out of the last 5 years.
As previously stated, drive far from the entrance.... 4 wheel drive is a must and arriving at the check in point at least an hour before sunrise. Then put your dog on a leash and walk him in at least a 1/2 mile from the road before turning him loose to hunt. Carry lots of water.
The southwest and west boundary lines are not getting as much pressure and I’ve found a few coveys there , but three coveys for an hour & a half to two hours walking is what I have been seeing.
There seem to be some birds near the river, but they have already been pressured a lot this year and are flushing ahead of the dogs.
I have not hunted the east side this week, but it was pretty good last year
Also, sand and grass burs are bad this year. Boot your dog unless he has tough feet
We all need to practice Whoa more.
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Re: Best cahnces???
[Re: txfireman2004]
#6972538
11/26/17 03:55 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,485
CinchMan
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,485 |
Leave your gun in the truck and take that pup to areas you can't hunt and run him in there, it's loaded with coveys that go there to escape the pressure. That's what I did a couple years ago with my pup, we found 4 separate coveys in less than 30 min.
Say When.....
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Re: Best cahnces???
[Re: txfireman2004]
#6978709
12/01/17 03:13 PM
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,157
Smokey Bear
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,157 |
I would go as many different places as I could. Rolling plains. South texas. Panhandle. Oklahoma. Kansas. Colorado.... Put him on birds but also put him in a lot of different country and cover.
Smokey Bear---Lone Star State.
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