QuailTrap
01-06-2009, 08:49 AM
I just wanted to let everyone who has participated in the recent "bird" discussions how much I've enjoyed them. It is obvious that we have different ideas about the decline of game birds in Ohio; however, I believe that a combination of all of the points made in the previous threads are contributing factors. I also believe that the only way the state is going to improve game bird management is for all of us to stick together even though our ideas differ.
Now just a little about myself. I raise, train, hunt, and field trial English Setters. I currently have 6 of them. I also raise my own quail so that I have birds to train on. I only began trialing about 5 years ago. The reason that I started trialing was that I loved spending time with my bird dogs and the bird population (grouse/quail) was declining rapidly in my area and I was looking for something to do with my dogs.
As a kid I had coon dogs and beagles and was fortunate enough to live on a farm where I could spend a lot of time with them. I'll never forget the first time I saw a dog on point! Something about that dog on point gave me cold chills and when it is done right I still get them today!
I truely hope that in my lifetime that bird hunting in Ohio improves to the point that I can take a kid hunting with me and my dogs and honestly feel that the kid will have a chance at success/opportunity. How many times do you think a today's youth would be willing to walk in the cold through rose bushes all day and not get the opportunity see a dog on point or have a chance to bag a bird? Most of us probably know where there are some birds to hunt, but are there enough birds in your coverts that you would be willing to take others there? What if those coverts where shot out, do you think you could easily replace them?
This is a longer than I planned. Sort of got on a roll! :yikes:
Now just a little about myself. I raise, train, hunt, and field trial English Setters. I currently have 6 of them. I also raise my own quail so that I have birds to train on. I only began trialing about 5 years ago. The reason that I started trialing was that I loved spending time with my bird dogs and the bird population (grouse/quail) was declining rapidly in my area and I was looking for something to do with my dogs.
As a kid I had coon dogs and beagles and was fortunate enough to live on a farm where I could spend a lot of time with them. I'll never forget the first time I saw a dog on point! Something about that dog on point gave me cold chills and when it is done right I still get them today!
I truely hope that in my lifetime that bird hunting in Ohio improves to the point that I can take a kid hunting with me and my dogs and honestly feel that the kid will have a chance at success/opportunity. How many times do you think a today's youth would be willing to walk in the cold through rose bushes all day and not get the opportunity see a dog on point or have a chance to bag a bird? Most of us probably know where there are some birds to hunt, but are there enough birds in your coverts that you would be willing to take others there? What if those coverts where shot out, do you think you could easily replace them?
This is a longer than I planned. Sort of got on a roll! :yikes: