Thread: QC, Rough Shooters and Natural Game Trials

How many of us are planning to go to these?

I'm running both dogs at the QC (I use the term 'running' very loosely in Laina's case) on 9 Feb, will definitely attend the GSP and Waikato Rough Shooters Trials (no dates yet but Waikato is historically 25 April) and will give the Natural Game Trials a go. It is a long way to go to be disqualified though..............

And I nearly forgot the training weekend at Rotorua (2/3 March) plus the North Islands at Tuakau plus the GSP Club champ PS trials (9/10 March).

if i have time i will but alot on currently

I have become seriously despondent about these types of events recently... OK, so a trial can determine things. only if the prerequisite tests hunting dogs, if the the trial has become the the focus... the whole thing is fucked.

Originally Posted by Ruff

I have become seriously despondent about these types of events recently... OK, so a trial can determine things. only if the prerequisite tests hunting dogs, if the the trial has become the the focus... the whole thing is fucked.

all trials test a dogs ability to a lesser or greater degree depending on format

What does rough shooters mean ? El borracho

Originally Posted by Munsey

What does rough shooters mean ? El borracho

It's what we mainlanders call the pig island shooters. Rough.

Originally Posted by HF1

How many of us are planning to go to these?

I'm running both dogs at the QC (I use the term 'running' very loosely in Laina's case) on 9 Feb, will definitely attend the GSP and Waikato Rough Shooters Trials (no dates yet but Waikato is historically 25 April) and will give the Natural Game Trials a go. It is a long way to go to be disqualified though..............

And I nearly forgot the training weekend at Rotorua (2/3 March) plus the North Islands at Tuakau plus the GSP Club champ PS trials (9/10 March).

Does one have to be a member of the Waikato club to attend the Rough shooters trial?

in a trial format -just hunting farmland with multiple areas of cover with pigeon release traps,dead fur retrieve and feather over water retrieve

Originally Posted by el borracho

in a trial format -just hunting farmland with multiple areas of cover with pigeon release traps,dead fur retrieve and feather over water retrieve

As opposed to what other format ?

Originally Posted by Munsey

As opposed to what other format ?

straight P&S trials don't do fur or water retrieve and the dogs run bigger

Originally Posted by el borracho

straight P&S trials don't do fur or water retrieve and the dogs run bigger

The pointers and setters in trials are not meant to retrieve as a general rule although that is part of the requirement in PS trials. Their main purpose as`a breed is to hunt then point/set for the gun to shoot and the retriever to retrieve.

From my understanding the British had different dogs to do different things and the Labs etc got the retrieve job after the pointers, setters, spaniels had done their thing. The PS people also don't work their dogs on fur. That's for the HPR dogs who should work on fur, feather and hair whereas the pointers and setters seem to be primarily feather and hunting fur isn't encouraged - read Leon Mortensen's book.

All trials have good and bad things. One thing is sure: a trial is the only possibility to compare dogs from diffrent handlers/owners , on the same ground, in the approx same conditions, weather, etc.......
I will be the first to say that there are negative points, but so be it.

Originally Posted by Hales Smut

All trials have good and bad things. One thing is sure: a trial is the only possibility to compare dogs from diffrent handlers/owners , on the same ground, in the approx same conditions, weather, etc.......
I will be the first to say that there are negative points, but so be it.

I agree

Originally Posted by Hales Smut

All trials have good and bad things. One thing is sure: a trial is the only possibility to compare dogs from diffrent handlers/owners , on the same ground, in the approx same conditions, weather, etc.......
I will be the first to say that there are negative points, but so be it.

Hales, you are so right! I have a great young dog but with a handler/trainer who was more experienced..............................

Originally Posted by el borracho

in a trial format -just hunting farmland with multiple areas of cover with pigeon release traps,dead fur retrieve and feather over water retrieve

In the old country, rough shooting is the opposite to shooting on either walked up or driven game as in a preserve...we the roughshooters of the world, walk for miles behind the dog in search of the gamebirds. Trialing is not rough shooting in the true sense. The reward for roughshooting is that glorious scent escaping from the oven when a nice brace of quail, macerated in gin and sprinkled over with crushed juniper berries embraces all the senses. The reward for game trialing is a title challenge point or a certificate of merit...or simply being with a group of like minded persons and their dogs.