Naj wrote:Thanks for that, MG. So what if a 'flyer' comes down as a cripple & runs, doesn't a dog get credited for tracking it down to a successful retrieve?
Really Naj. You want to suggest that a dog with hunting nous and a hunting brain be considered for credit in a field trial?! That would shake the establishment to its roots.
Springfield Pointers wrote:I think we need to bring the Americans back to proper hunting type trials, and focus again on hunting ability and not circus events for pleasure viewing.
SP, have you watched what appears to be the world (for which read USA) speed hpr championships. Not sure what they are really called but they are against the clock and the handler and dog have to point and shoot and retrieve to hand, 5 what appear to be either planted quail or partridge in the shortest possible time. A bit of an eye opener and not something I would want to watch again! Watching blokes run to the point and being distraught if they don't manage to shoot it on the end of their barrels as the dog will be wasting valuable seconds running to pick the bird (and God forbid have to hunt for it a bit) is not very pleasant viewing even for someone who loves shooting.
Naj wrote:Thanks for that, MG. So what if a 'flyer' comes down as a cripple & runs, doesn't a dog get credited for tracking it down to a successful retrieve?
Really Naj. You want to suggest that a dog with hunting nous and a hunting brain be considered for credit in a field trial?! That would shake the establishment to its roots.
(ok, I'll get back in my box)
Judy will be rapping your knuckles if you're not careful!
Springfield Pointers wrote:I think we need to bring the Americans back to proper hunting type trials, and focus again on hunting ability and not circus events for pleasure viewing.
SP, have you watched what appears to be the world (for which read USA) speed hpr championships. Not sure what they are really called but they are against the clock and the handler and dog have to point and shoot and retrieve to hand, 5 what appear to be either planted quail or partridge in the shortest possible time. A bit of an eye opener and not something I would want to watch again! Watching blokes run to the point and being distraught if they don't manage to shoot it on the end of their barrels as the dog will be wasting valuable seconds running to pick the bird (and God forbid have to hunt for it a bit) is not very pleasant viewing even for someone who loves shooting.
I think someone posted a video of this sort of thing on here a good few years ago. It was genuinely bizarre.
I watched that HPR event again just a couple of months ago and thought it was horrendous showing no respect for game whatsoever and very little respect for gun safety.
Wullie
If at first you don't succeed .....find out if there is a booby prize !
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Don't do what doesn't work - do what does.
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Genuinely of zero interest to me, and I cringe at hearing such "run-and-gun" shenanigans referred to as an haitch-PR event.
Naj, what you conjectured with "flyers" can occasionally happen in a trial - and the dog is given ample opportunity to "hunt up" the bird. The judges of course would've marked the fall before calling a dog's number to release it for a retrieve. But the cover is usually dense as to prevent even them (and the handler) from *seeing* the bird as a runner. The dog that "steps on" a shot flyer scores highest for marking, but a dog that marked the fall by going directly to it only to come up with the bird 50-75 yards away as a runner certainly wouldn't be marked down for it. Alas, it would just be a bad break in a game of straight lines, lots of water to win or lose in, and of course (rounding rather back on topic) precision handling.
Judy will be rapping your knuckles if you're not careful! 