Sharptails/Huns with labradors

[TwoLabs]

First time poster, long time lurker….

Curious how many here have or do hunt with labradors for sharptail and huns? I’ve been a long time waterfowl hunter but as of late have transitioned more to upland. Both my dogs are in their prime and adding a new pointer puppy would probably end up with me being divorced haha. Looking to start pheasant hunting more which my dogs will do fine at.

 

[SDMF]

I grew up w/Labs and we hunted everything w/them. Don’t expect them to cover the miles any of the big running pointing breeds do. For the most part while hunting grouse/partridge our labs would come to heel until there was cover to send them into. Patches of buckbrush and “grouse-house” bushes.

 

[TwoLabs]

I appreciate that response on what to expect. I did try walking what I thought was good habitat and found that the birds would flush 100 yards from me. I realized that they could see me coming a mile away and I’m probably doing this the wrong way. I’m just too dumb to get it figured out yet. I’m looking to focus on more hilly terrain and spots with brush in them as well

 

[KDM]

I appreciate that response on what to expect. I did try walking what I thought was good habitat and found that the birds would flush 100 yards from me. I realized that they could see me coming a mile away and I’m probably doing this the wrong way. I’m just too dumb to get it figured out yet. I’m looking to focus on more hilly terrain and spots with brush in them as well

What kind of cover are the birds flushing from? Remember what that cover looks like and recognize it from a mile or more away. Plan your approach so you come over the hilltop or around a hill in range of that cover so if they are in there, you have a better than average chance of connecting. Think of it like hunting deer. Use 3 inch mag 4 shot lead instead of 8 shot so you can reach out a bit. If they flush at your feet, nowhere does it say you need to obliterate them at 10 yards. Let them get out there 30 yards and then shoot. Grouse and partridge are easy to put on the ground with just a pellet or two. Keep quiet on your approach and make sure your dogs are on heel or on leash so they don't bust up the stalk. Grouse and partridge are a damn site different than pheasants and you have to hunt them differently. These birds are VERY predictable. Use that to your advantage. Good Luck!! Post pics!!

 

[Rowdie]

Bring plenty of water for them. I'd try to keep them close and limit their miles.

 

[svnmag]

I grew up w/Labs and we hunted everything w/them. Don’t expect them to cover the miles any of the big running pointing breeds do. For the most part while hunting grouse/partridge our labs would come to heel until there was cover to send them into. Patches of buckbrush and “grouse-house” bushes.

My exact experience with other's dogs.

 

[svnmag]

IMHO/E:

Early:

Around Halloween:

Nov-Jan:

 

[svnmag]

The shot doesn't hit harder it just gets "there" faster. Per KDM; don't destroy a bird in 25 yds of the muzzle. I like a FC in open country. I've had lots of instances to get a "proper set" before touching off.

Yes/sorry I aim at straightaways. Follow through is just as important. It "should" be BAM, "pause", "POOF". I'm not gay.

 

[SDMF]

IMHO/E:

Early:

I too like AA 7.5's for grouse/partridge. Once pheasant season opens I just shoot them with whatever I'm using for pheasants. Most often that'll be a 20Ga and 1Oz of #5's from an IC or SKT choke.

Turkeys are the only "upland" bird I shoot more constriction than IC.

 

[Kurtr]

I really only hunt grouse and pheasants here late season when the ducks are gone but alot of times we will sneak in with dog at heel not having to be yelling at the dog is key here then when i get up to the cover i let him go in and work. I will keep him pretty close with either light whistle tweets seems that does not bust the birds as bad as voice. Some times i will sit him on the up wind side of cover patch i will walk to the other side and let him push the birds to me.

 

[Traxion]

Never had any issue with our labs hunting grouse or huns. Our dogs likely retrieved more grouse in their life than anything. The heat of early season can be a challenge. Late season grouse are just skitttish in general. But early to mid season there was never an issue getting close. FYI we hunt roosters grouse and huns all in the same cover for the most part with lots of field edges. Early season we are in the prairie and bushes more but the dogs dogs do great in all of it. And you don’t have to deal with a pointer bouncing off the walls lol.

 

[TwoLabs]

Thank you all for the input, I’m in Minot and have a couple areas to think of trying. Hearing everyone’s experience has reassured me that it can be done. And just like the dogs in the early season I don’t know if I want to hunt for more than a couple hours lol

 

[1lessdog]

Go N.W. of Harvey in the Clifton hills. Always been lots of Grouse in that area. It's a plus if there are Sunflowers or Alfalfa with seed pods on them. Alfalfa that is 8 to 10 inches tall. On windy days Grouse are really spooky and flush way out in front of you.

 

[snow2]

Good for you couple great bird dogs.... spent many years upland birds,western states,Nebraska, Kansas eastern colorado,sharpies,prairie chickens, huns,quail over my goldens,trained to work close, crp and shelter belts shot my share over my swamp collies,old browning A-5 32" barrel full fixed choke 3" copper plated #4 15/8th loads lead,late season birds grouped up and been pushed for weeks get jumpy as stated above especially pheasants no truck door slamming, no dog whistle to warn em no yelling,coughing,etc quail would hold tight,late season roosters,sharpies no so much never had my boyz at heel just let them work cover, your pups will catch on just fine. Guyz hunting over pointers I watched late season struggled as hunted birds late season are educated run run run even in heavy crp, except in cattails where rooster held good.

 

[Jiffy]

I’ve heard they really PUFF when shot off a hay bale with a high powered rifle.

NOT a 243 ….duh

 

[svnmag]

I too like AA 7.5's for grouse/partridge. Once pheasant season opens I just shoot them with whatever I'm using for pheasants. Most often that'll be a 20Ga and 1Oz of #5's from an IC or SKT choke.

Turkeys are the only "upland" bird I shoot more constriction than IC.

IDK--It may be a character flaw. I grew up shooting squirrel with a FC. In my "day" "Back In The Hills"; they were far more targeted/scarce/wary. 40+yrd shots were common if not the norm. #4 was king. If a rare "inside 30" was presented: The "doctrine" was putting the bead about 3in ahead of it's nose.

After being stationed "up here" I quickly leared there was rarely a need for a "snap" shot. You most always have time to "set up" like on a trap/etc range. MY key is not becoming spastic and semi-hysterical. I once hunted with a boss who actually screamed "SHOOT SHOOT!!!" while I was allowing a grouse to get away from the choke. I (for real) lifted my face off the stock, looked at him like "WTF" then shot the bird @about "sixty". I put the bead "just" over it's head and luckily it was a #4 (from the 2nd pic( ^^^^). It dropped: The dog (Lab) found it and brought it back flapping like hell.

We then rejoiced and feasted on orangutan and breakfast cereals.

I've never killed a "ruff" "In The Hills"/otherwise: Choke may've been the "problem": I doubt it. In ND, I probably got kills on "crossers" due to a long shot string.

That is all.