Due to some last-minute cancellations, my big hunt for Sunday turned out to be a loaner hunt for just me (poor me ).  So, Sadie and I made the most of it.  We went to a place on the club propoerty, where I knew I would be pretty much alone, and that requires just a bit more work (they don't release birds there, but they tend to migrate there, and are smarter becuase they have been free for longer).  Anyways, the birds tend to be smarter in that area than in others.  I wanted to see how Sadie handled, and if she would learn by working these birds.

Birds were running pretty good in the cover (as I was told they would be), but Sadie stayed pretty tight.  She did get out on some scents early.  She bumped the only rooster I saw well out of range, and then two hens she was trailing close to me, she flushed ahead of her too (I let her bump them to see if she would notice that I had stopped). After that, she pulled in her range substantially, and stayed tight.  Her last bird, she pulled to the point, and worked REAL slow - just like I want her to.

The day proved perfect for force-work on retrieving live birds as well (as well as I could have set-up for her in a training session!).  She had been dropping the birds at my feet, rather than waiting for me to command her to drop them, and I wanted to see if it was the size of the bird (having trouble holding it), and if it could be corrected.  The first bird I got was actually a Chuckar (they release these on request at the club at a pre-pay), so I was able to work her retrieve on a much smaller bird.  She did try to drop it at my feet, so I forced her, and ran some quick obedience while she was on "Hold".  The other two Hens were the same.  The first, she was better at scooping it up, but she tried to drop it at my feet. I didn't need to hack her hardly at all for the last bird - she scooped it right up.  I think she got it after that bird, but we will have to see next week (I am not made of money, unfortunately).  Next hunt is scheduled for Saturday!

I will post a pic of the results of the hunt.  I thought I had a picture to post, but aparently not yet...

One milestone to note - We hit 50% of our birds retrieved with the hunt yesterday (yes, I am geeky like that, and keep track). Since January of 2012, Sadie has done well. I know I stated that I am working on her retrieve still, but she will retrieve to a basic level - getting the bird to within a foot, or two of me, and when I back up, and command her to "Fetch!" it again, she will. I have been calling that a successful retrieve (point being, that I can get the bird, and it does not escape her, if she were to drop it, and it were to run, or fly away). Quite the progress considering she is 2 1/4 years old (yes, I keep track of that too...), and she started by mouthing the bird, and not even picking it up at the beginning of last season (when she started hunting).

Sum-total she has retrieved 32 out of the 64 birds we have shot over her.

10 hunts.  We have purchased 81 birds (club hunting - it is Illinois, what can I say), and Sadie has put-up (including some birds that were pointed, missed, and pointed/put-up again) 130 birds in a season and a half (approximately).  Told you I was geeky that way.

I had wanted to get 100 birds per season for her through her first 3 - 4 years, so I think I will end up a little light on that, but not much I can do about it.

Here is the picture (as promised...).  Sorry it is late..

Funny. I thought she was looking like...."REALLY?!?! You need to take a picture of me, and these 3 dumb birds? If you would shoot as well as I point, we would have 50 - AT LEAST! Wish I had a thumb to work the ... gun!..." etc... etc 

I had max check the picture also and he agree's GSP's like their pictures taken. & shooting & missing they don't mind either