Gun Dog Question

[krtnorris]

Pigeons is the bird of choice for training pointers. Can you use doves too?

[krtnorris]

Anyone

[LeifBarnes]

Pigeons are dove...

Not sure what you are asking.

[casilva43]

pigeons are used because they are tough and cheap/easy to come by. Are you going to have a call back pen or are you going to tie some sort of weight to the birds when they flush? Pigeons are larger and can handle the weight better. I know trainers that use quail and pheasant but they raise them and have lots of private land.

[DawgOnIt]

Gives you a reason to go out after some of those ringnecks!

[Birddog66]

Sure. Are you talking about using dead ones?

[donpablo]

Preserve

I know trainers that use quail and pheasant but they raise them and have lots of private land.

And to to so (use quail, pheasant or chukar) outside of season (even for pen raised) you have to be on a bird preserve. I don't think it's very expensive to get that designation though.

[Low Fence]

Dove are the worst scent distributing game bird there is. If a dog can scent a dove...they can scent anything. With a pointer they will probably bump way more than they will point, and I doubt you get any kind of "hold"

Pigeons are NASTY stinky little critters. they get dogs fired up and they WILL NOT catch one. THEY ARE STRONG!!!!

You didnt mention but Note: WILD dove are migratory game birds and illegal to trap. Tame/domestic dove you can do as you please.

I liked:

Pigeons
Red Quail
Chuckar
Bob Whites

Never tried a ringneck. Pharo (?)/ Faro....SUCK!!!! ....but taste good

[segbert]

The reason pigeons are used is because they will return to the coop, and the chances of your dog finding and pointing one is slim to none in the wild. There are very high chances of pointing a dove in the field. I only used pigeons at an early age to create drive. The only thing I plant in the field now is quail

[krtnorris]

Ok thanks...I just know a guy who has a lot of doves in his back yard and he offered to trap a few for me so we could get in some pointing sessions in. But, I will try and find some pigeons. Thanks!! This helps!

[donpablo]

Collared

You could if they were Eurasian Collared but it's kinda hard to ensure you're not trapping whitening or mourning.

[TMEC]

Pigeons are cheap. They can survive almost anywhere under any conditions. Quail are another story. They die for most any,all or no reason.
Stay away from trapping Doves.

[krtnorris]

You could if they were Eurasian Collared but it's kinda hard to ensure you're not trapping whitening or mourning.

We have a lot of those in my friends neighborhood!

[Bilbo]

The reason pigeons are used is because they will return to the coop, and the chances of your dog finding and pointing one is slim to none in the wild. There are very high chances of pointing a dove in the field. I only used pigeons at an early age to create drive. The only thing I plant in the field now is quail

This. My dad raises and sells homing pigeons and they're popular for this reason.

[NAVY CHIEF]

make a trap out of plywood and chicken wire, i catch the eurasian collared doves all the time, cracked corn, have only one opening to the makeshift cage/trap, when they go in you have to open the door or scare them to fly and then they are too dumb to find the way out, tie trot line string to the doves feet, about 10 yards, tie down to the ground, live action training, just make sure you miss when ur shooting around the dog and don't let him kill the bird, or you wil not have live action anymore, lol