Hunting rabbits with pointer?

[TheCoachZed]

Here in NB, the rules are pretty much useless and frustrating for anyone who wants to get a hound. You can do it, sure, but you need a government licence. Total pain in the neck. Was wondering if a pointer might be a good substitute for rabbit hunting. Would probably suit my hunting style better anyway.

 

[Longwalker]

If by "Pointer" you mean English Pointer, the Versatile breeds from Europe would be much better suited. They hunt closer, and are bred to track and retrieve furred game. And they point upland birds. i have successfully hunted rabbits behind Weimaraners, Large Munsterlaners, and Pudelpointers. German Wirehair Pointers would certainly be worth a look.

 

[TheCoachZed]

If by "Pointer" you mean English Pointer, the Versatile breeds from Europe would be much better suited. They hunt closer, and are bred to track and retrieve furred game. And they point upland birds. i have successfully hunted rabbits behind Weimaraners, Large Munsterlaners, and Pudelpointers. German Wirehair Pointers would certainly be worth a look.

Any kind of dog that will point upland game. If it will retrieve a duck, all the better. I know some Labs will point, but not all (had a couple when I was younger).

 

[Brutus]

Revenue grab. Same as clam digging licence.
Maritime provinces are quite happy to pick your pocket.
A good dog owner gets his puppy the right shots and that's all that should be required.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Revenue grab. Same as clam digging licence.
Maritime provinces are quite happy to pick your pocket.
A good dog owner gets his puppy the right shots and that's all that should be required.

I completely agree. The fish&wildlife act in NB is terrible and as far as I can see, basically a carryover from the old country's rules. Suits NB's overlords (the Irvings and the rest of Big Pulp) just fine, as it keeps people out of the woods.

They haven't stocked trout in years, despite charging a stocking fee on licences.
They refused to bring in a turkey hunt for years, despite volunteers being willing to put it together. This year, was supposed to happen--canceled over COVID19.
No pheasant hunting, even though they're around, and would thrive if encouraged.
Instead of seeing the woods as belonging to the people, and encouraging new revenue streams via hunting/fishing programs, it's all about how fast they can raise pulpwood for the Irvings.

 

[Brutus]

I completely agree. The fish&wildlife act in NB is terrible and as far as I can see, basically a carryover from the old country's rules. Suits NB's overlords (the Irvings and the rest of Big Pulp) just fine, as it keeps people out of the woods.

They haven't stocked trout in years, despite charging a stocking fee on licences.
They refused to bring in a turkey hunt for years, despite volunteers being willing to put it together. This year, was supposed to happen--canceled over COVID19.
No pheasant hunting, even though they're around, and would thrive if encouraged.
Instead of seeing the woods as belonging to the people, and encouraging new revenue streams via hunting/fishing programs, it's all about how fast they can raise pulpwood for the Irvings.

Sir. You could easily substitute these similar complaints with nearby Nova Scotia. They banned the wild boar hunt Roberts Island and they refused to endorse a turkey hunt even though totally driven volunteerism other that enforcement.
Be well.

Edit: once upon a time in a galaxy far far away Maritime hunters could board a boat or plane to Ste.Pierre and Miquelon Islands (French territory) to hunt wild boar.
I think that's where the idea came from for a private pig hunt this remote NS Isle.
In those innocent days all you required to pass customs a Canadian driver's licence and birth certificate.

 

[iron cat]

Our GSP points bunnies, lots of fun when we are out hunting ruffies!
Some pointer guys frown on it, we don't care, he doesn't bust birds unless he is told to, is not steady on the flush - which we like, and pretty much everything else that people say is wrong and that a properly trained GSP should not do. We are fine with that, and like hunting that way, especially in tight cover.
Cat

 

[warzaw]

I have lucky enough to have several great Labs and Britts in my lifetime . A lot depends on what and how often the animals are worked. I have had Britts that would point upland birds retrieve waterfowl and run rabbits in circles and bawl like a hound while doing it. And never miss a retrieve bird or rabbit. These long past friends were generally a lot brighter than me. My buddy had a beagle that was a cracker jack on woodcock bawl the whole time and then retrieve the bird . Good dogs are a joy.

 

[Longwalker]

Any kind of dog that will point upland game. If it will retrieve a duck, all the better. I know some Labs will point, but not all (had a couple when I was younger).

The European Versatile breeds have been bred to do exactly that. Point upland birds. Retrieve birds and furred game on land or water. Track any kind of wounded game. And they have been doing it well for a couple centuries. Pointing labs are a very recent development. Labs are undisputed expert achievers when it comes to retrieving. I love labs. But I would not consider them the best choice for what you want to do. Horses for courses.

 

[hoytcanon]

I have had labs and springers and the rare "field" goldens... they all were good on fur and feather... they did not point, but rather flushed and retrieved... but I shot many, many rabbits over my dogs. They also did Upland birds and waterfowl.

 

[TheCoachZed]

If by "Pointer" you mean English Pointer, the Versatile breeds from Europe would be much better suited. They hunt closer, and are bred to track and retrieve furred game. And they point upland birds. i have successfully hunted rabbits behind Weimaraners, Large Munsterlaners, and Pudelpointers. German Wirehair Pointers would certainly be worth a look.

Been reading about the versatiles the last few days. GWP is definitely the dog that has the most attributes for what I need. I'm an on-foot hunter for everything but deer, where I'm not allowed to use a dog anyway. Alas. They're a pricey breed, and no breeders around here.

 

[yomomma]

Oh I had dreams of hunting with my German Shorthair Pointer...but she is sensative when it comes to loud noises.

Still makes a most excellent lap dog

Oh...and freezes up on all the bunnies we see on our walks through the neighbourhood

 

[Jim870]

Been reading about the versatiles the last few days. GWP is definitely the dog that has the most attributes for what I need. I'm an on-foot hunter for everything but deer, where I'm not allowed to use a dog anyway. Alas. They're a pricey breed, and no breeders around here.

Couple breeders in NS I can't remember their names but it may have been Griffons. I was pretty keen on versatile breeds particularly the wirehaired varieties and may end up with one or brittany in the future. I ended up with a Lab again when I found a 5 month old male in need of home after the breeder took him back from an elderly gentleman who had fallen and wouldn't be able to care for the pup.

Pretty hard to beat a Labrador Retriever particularly for late season chasing Black ducks along the coast and salt marshes other than a Chessie. With a little encouragement most labs can be taught to point, and while they have never bawled while doing it mine have been pretty good at driving rabbits back to me. My current male is fast enough he caught a couple for himself when I tried him on hares, so we've been working on breaking that habit.

 

[Bermuda]

Our GSP points bunnies, lots of fun when we are out hunting ruffies!
Some pointer guys frown on it, we don't care, he doesn't bust birds unless he is told to, is not steady on the flush - which we like, and pretty much everything else that people say is wrong and that a properly trained GSP should not do. We are fine with that, and like hunting that way, especially in tight cover.
Cat

Sounds exactly like our Griffon! Another of the European versatile breeds... ours can be a little head strong, but loves to hunt the fields and points the bunnies like an obsession. Too high strung for a duck blind though. She's our first Wire-haired Pointing Griffon, but won't be our last.

 

[TheCoachZed]

Couple breeders in NS I can't remember their names but it may have been Griffons. I was pretty keen on versatile breeds particularly the wirehaired varieties and may end up with one or brittany in the future. I ended up with a Lab again when I found a 5 month old male in need of home after the breeder took him back from an elderly gentleman who had fallen and wouldn't be able to care for the pup.

Pretty hard to beat a Labrador Retriever particularly for late season chasing Black ducks along the coast and salt marshes other than a Chessie. With a little encouragement most labs can be taught to point, and while they have never bawled while doing it mine have been pretty good at driving rabbits back to me. My current male is fast enough he caught a couple for himself when I tried him on hares, so we've been working on breaking that habit.

I had two Labs when I was a kid. I do like them. I have a friend who breeds them in Cape Breton and I occasionally wonder if I should just get another.

 

[greenjeepguy100]

I agree with Longwalker about the versatile breeds. I have a Pudelpointer (PP). I've used her to blood track deer and bear, find sheds, retrieve ducks, and hunt upland. She points rabbits too but developed a bad habit of hunting them on her own.

That said, she mostly points chipmunks and retrieves missed clays and is a perfect family pet. Unfortunately, her fur isn't thick and she doesn't do well in cold water or wet heavy snow.

Pointing chipmunk (she can do this for hours).

Shoot one already!

Good thing dad is a lousy shot. Always something to retrieve!

 

[peterf]

Been reading about the versatiles the last few days. GWP is definitely the dog that has the most attributes for what I need. I'm an on-foot hunter for everything but deer, where I'm not allowed to use a dog anyway. Alas. They're a pricey breed, and no breeders around here.

My neighbor has a GWP that's around 10 years old now. Great dog on upland birds and up until the last couple of years when the boss's health hasn't been so good he got a lot of hunting in. I don't think he ever used him on rabbits but I'm betting he would have done just fine.
He couldn't find one around here (central Ontario) and bought him from a breeder in Edmonton. I don't think the cost was outrageous. The breeder put him on a plane and my neighbor picked him up at the airport.

 

[Dances with Drahts]

If a GWP is in your thoughts, there is a Drathaar breeder in newfoundland.
Drahthaars have the same origins as a GWP, but they are still bred to european hunting standards. It makes a huge difference in natural ability. I learned that lesson after attending some NAVHDA and retriever trials. Apparently versatile has a diluted meaning to some. I was scolded for using my Drathaar to hunt geese, pheasants and raccoons the day before I put him in the NAVHDA trial. I probably burned some bridges sending him in to pick up the birds the CKC Grand Champions missed.

 

[Longwalker]

Yup. Drathaars are the real deal. I've been considering getting one for my next dog, they are very competent hunters of ... everything. Very intense achievers. The only reason I'm dithering is that my last two Pudelpointers have been such easy dogs to live with, very calm and sociable - but still hunt hard enough. When called to do so, a good versatile dog can break ice to retrieve waterfowl, run hard and wide in 35° heat to find and point sharptails, gear down to hunt close and point ruffed grouse, and track rabbits and wounded game. And retrieve anything it can carry. Even beavers. Well, can't carry those, but dragging out of the swamp backwards works OK. Ours also serves as a guard dog in our bush camp in northern BC. Chasing away the numerous bears. Life's better with a good dog!

 

[Dances with Drahts]

You will find all those traits in the Drahthaars, I just think my Drahts would have treed the bear, not just run it off. I have never seen an issue with Drahts and strangers, so I would never get one as a guard dog, or even a door bell. You should get used to your Draht always being within reach of you though, step carefully in the house!!