RMC NAVHDA August 11th Training Day
LAST TRAINING DAY FOR 2018!
Cobb Lake State Wildlife Area – Wellington, Colorado
Email contact: [email protected]
Agenda: 7:30 – 12:00: ALL DOGS AND HANDLERS! (with afternoon for individual training)
Lulu and Brian working on steady at blind.
The day’s events will focus on obedience and skills to prepare for the winter waterfowl season – be prepared to get wet with your dog and to have fun! Most of the training exercises are going to be designed around developing your dogs into reliable water-fowling partners.
For the August training day, any bird work in the field or Utility duck searches will be conducted as independent training by individual members. These exercises will not be incorporated into the exercises that are set up in the formal training regimen for the day. There will be chukar and ducks available for purchase for individual work. There will be designated areas where handlers can work on these other areas. Please plan on talking with other handlers in attendance at the training day to find help planting birds, gunners for Utility field work, plant ducks from the kayak and work together as you set up your training plan for these exercises.
Natural Ability Dogs:
We will set up pheasant tracks for dogs to track the scent of a pheasant with a dead pheasant at the end of the track for the puppy to retrieve and deliver to the handler. Natural Ability Handlers can also work in the field with chukar in preparation for the Fall test and the chapter bumper bucket will be available to get puppies excited about going into the water.
STATIONS (work at will in small groups):
- Pheasant Tracks
- Chukar Field Work
- Bumpers at the Water
Utility Preparatory and Utility Dogs:
Older dogs and their owners will begin practicing more advanced and precision based water work. We will introduce heeling, remaining by the blind, steady by the blind and water retrieve drills. The group will begin with drills that help build desire and promote the confidence needed to initiate drive for pursing waterfowl. Along the way we will discuss the advantages of training for a reliable retrieve on land and water, ensuring steadiness under the distraction of gunfire, and reliable recall.
STATIONS (work at will in small groups):
- Heeling, Remain by Blind and Steady by Blind Sequences
- Duck Search
- Chukar Field Work
Preparing for the Day:
The weather in August will likely be very warm and brutally sunny! Be prepared with sun guard, bug spray, lunch etc. A source of shade for you and your dog, and folding chairs will help make the day comfortable. Don’t forget snacks and plenty of water for both of you!
Bring plenty of water for your dog, along with whatever training gear you use. You’ll need a leash, check cord, e-collar, and whistle. The Chapter has some equipment available like retrieving bumpers, training table, blinds and decoys, heeling stakes, duck wingers, and bird launchers and bird bags. A crate or stake-out is recommended to keep your dog quiet and comfortable while waiting its turn in the field.
If you are planning on shooting in the field remember a 2018-2019 small game license is required!!!
Please comment with your bird order. Include quantity of Chukar, Ducks and any desire of Use of Pheasant. You must RSVP and order birds (ducks, chukar or pheasant) you will need by Thurday, August 9th!
We have a limited number of ducks available so priority will go to those testing Utility in the August test. After that we will prioritize off of who signs up for ducks first on the signup.
Also, all of the pheasants we currently have we are holding for the test in August. If we can find a few live pheasants for pheasant tracks we will do the $5 pheasant tracks. If we cannot acquire live pheasants for the track we will have a few dead pheasants for drags available and there will be no charge for use of pheasant.
Prices are as follows (Check payable to Black Hollow Gamebirds or Cash):
- Chukar: $12
- Use of Pheasant for Track: $5
- Duck: $16
If you plan to purchase birds at the training day, PLEASE REMEMBER A BIRD BAG OR CRATE to store your birds! We will be handing out birds at check in before the training day starts. From that point on, the birds are your responsibility! Use of Pheasant will be shared amongst all members paying for the pheasant track on the training day.
If you have questions regarding the training day, please contact one of the following:
- General Questions to [email protected]
- Training Director, Craig McLaughlin [email protected]
- Bird Steward, Jake Heesacker [email protected]
Date: 08/11/2018 (Sat.)Time: 7:30am – 3:00pm MDTLocation: COBB LAKE UNIT: From I-25 and HWY 14 exit, go 5 miles north on east service road to CR56- then 1.4 miles east.