Best chances for wild birds??? Pup Exposure

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.

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.

I'd hit the matador. Wouldn't even waste the $$ on Oklahoma.

Louisiana woodcock

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!

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

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.

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.