Originally Posted By: pooch
Pen raised birds as training tools are only a training tool. Until a dog learns to hunts wild birds he is not a hunting dog. Don't kid yourself to thinking otherwise.


Pooch, I'll agree that dogs get into bad habits if they only hunt preserve birds. Turn loose a dog that's hunted mostly wild birds and one that's only hunted preserve birds at the same time, on a preserve, and you'll see a significant difference. The wild bird dog will likely head to the edges of the fields. The preserve dog will work the trails, because he knows that most of the birds won't be far from them.