Woodcock observations

[Kevin McCormack]

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;284213]What about bells Kevin, that have been in use for considerably more than a hundred years?

A much more refined, gentile sound, Dean - like a bell at a dinner party or consecration at communion time. I believer the birds appreciate it more and act accordingly. By contrast, most dog collars sound like the backup alarm on a dump truck or front-end loader.

[Woodcock survey]

Gary and Kevin thank you for your comments.

[Big D]

I think the electronic collars are worse. When a dog goes on point with a bell, all is quiet, whereas the electronic collar is normally set to beep or screech. We've taught the birds and the fish to modify their behavior in order to survive. I'm convinced that the "Roboduck" which was such a sensation a few years ago, is now a deterrent to decoying ducks

Man walks with a heavy foot

[Dean Romig]

Probably true and the traditional use of bells on livestock of all kinds has never posed a threat to them.





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[Ed Norman]

This has been a good thread for me to read (especially not hunting for over 40 years) I hunted the first 4 weeks with no beeper at all. I had some good grouse points where the grouse held the first two weeks. The second two weeks, I noticed more grouse were running. The last week or so I have used the beeper again, I don't think my grouse are holding for the beeper, but its also several weeks into the season. Today, I used no beeper at all, and had several grouse points where they all ran. I am wondering if the first couple weeks with little hunting pressure, they are holding better, then as hunting pressure builds, that might cause more running? I barely get a shot as it is even with leaves down but those first two weeks, some grouse held well, but to many leaves for a shot. Today I shot 5 shells and got one woodcock, I think some flight birds have come to our area. I hunted where I don't usually see that many, and there were 5 right along a 2 track in thick poplar slashings.

[Andy Clark]

When I began my training with Werden about 2 years ago I decided no bell or beeper. We hunt with a GPS collar and when he is on point my receiver vibrates. What I noticed was once he witnesses a bird flush well before he caught the scent, he begins to "tip toe" through the brush. He began this behavior this past Tuesday when I brought him back to the WMA we shot the first woodcock in. It's as he remembered how spooky they where and is determined to sneak up on them! It is very interesting behavior that I have never witnessed.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Andrew Clark

When I began my training with Werden about 2 years ago I decided no bell or beeper. We hunt with a GPS collar and when he is on point my receiver vibrates. What I noticed was once he witnesses a bird flush well before he caught the scent, he begins to "tip toe" through the brush. He began this behavior this past Tuesday when I brought him back to the WMA we shot the first woodcock in. It's as he remembered how spooky they where and is determined to sneak up on them! It is very interesting behavior that I have never witnessed.

Andrew, I'm confident that you are correct in concluding your dog remembered that place and what happened at it. I have seen similar evidence from my dogs over the years.