The first week for the fall season has been fun. Trying to train a 6 month old turkey dog (dropper) cross between a pointer and setter. She is long legged, 40 lbs and full of herself. I have had a friend up, Gratten Hepler with his turkey dog (9 YO) and a really good dog. We have had busts everyday but on a couple the birds would not respond, one was a long beard flock of about 7. 3 other busts we were able to get the birds to come back in, but. If one has ever had a new turkey dog puppy then one knows what happens with a 40 lb high energetic dog. Well Patch my dog was with Missy Granten's dog on a couple flushes and hopefully is starting to put 2 and 2 together in as that is what she is to be hunting. Getting back to the set up well we have had birds coming in at 30 to 50 yards and me just laying on and trying to hold down 40 lbs. of furry Patch still was able to bark at the wrong time and all the wrestling movement negated any turkey's on the ground.

But over all Gratten gave Patch a high rating and thought she hunted very well not only with Missy but ranged well and hunted on her own at times. She still needs to figure out what exactly a turkey scent trail and turkey is. But I also think she shows a lot of promise for a good turkey dog. So far she has not bothered with deer at all just looked at them. She has barked and chased on 2 squirrels up trees but both of those the squirrel jumped up in front of her. A couple other times she payed little attention to them.

Gratten is headed home today so will see how it works out for me and Patch next week.


Earl

ALways fun with young dogs, no matter what game you are hunting. May need to learn how to put the TV wrestlers old time sleeper move on her when those turkeys get close...