Hello Fellow Hunters,

I am doing a study concerning the affects of steel shot on cripples and developing a training program to decrease the percentage of lost birds.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HFGP7ZC

Thank you so much for your time and input.

Hope you have a great season,
Rick

Welcome aboard Rick.

Looks like the survey is geared towards retrieving dogs. Are you referring to developing a hunting dog training program?

Yes, I am doing research to see if there is a need to improve a dog's ability to find and retrieve a crippled bird.

there will always be a drive and desire to improve a dogs ability to find and retrieve crippled birds, that's the whole point of the dog anyways.

Yes, and if you shoot Xpert shells the improvement will help immensely.

Since have posted this in the migratory forum rather than the gun dog forum, know that the training and use of retrievers generally will have some differences from pointing and versatile dogs that are also often used for migratory birds, especially for migratory birds other than waterfowl. And I don't know, maybe your intent was to direct the project towards waterfowl, otherwise it could effect the outcome of your answers and a training program would need to be different between the two general types of dogs. Where a waterfowl hunter wants a retriever that is is more controlled and more often looking to it's owner for directions, I as a versatile dog owner, want a dog that is more independent thinking than your average retriever. One wants a versatile dog to be steady in the blind and a waterfowl retriever owner also wants a dog that can do blind retrieves, but the the main focus is different. There are trade offs with this, but the same outcome is reached in that failing to retrieve a cripple or letting a cripple get away is not acceptable. It is part of the foundation of all gun dogs be it marking, tracking, retrieving. This is heavily stressed within NAVHDA testing. A couple examples:

This is all boring to most of these guys, but as a resource that may be of help to you related to your project this cut from parts of the NAVHDA Natural Ability and Utility testing.

Tracking Phase
The ability to concentrate on a track is an important
trait of the versatile hunting dog. It is this ability that
permits the prompt recovery of cripples that are still
capable of running long distances. This exercise is
primarily a test of the dog’s ability to use its nose and
to concentrate on the track. Desire and cooperation are
also factors which are noted by the Judges during the
course of the test.
A flightless pheasant or chukar is released in an area
reserved for the tracking. The area should be sufficiently wide to avoid the tracks
being too close to one another. Tracks must be laid down-wind or cross-wind,
never into the wind. Ideally, the cover should be about 8-10 inches high. This
should not hinder the running bird and will retain the scent, while at the same time
giving the Judges an opportunity to see the path taken by the bird and to closely
observe the dog as it works the track. The track should end in cover that takes
advantage of the bird’s instinct to hide......
The young dog must display eagerness and perseverance on a track. His future
use as a retriever of crippled game is dependent on this characteristic. Some dogs
will track well with the nose close to the ground, while others may carry their head
higher and also track well. Some dogs follow the track closely while others will
track several yards downwind of the track. Some dogs track slowly and deliberately
while some run full out. The score is dependent upon the quality of the dog’s
performance, not the method used.

Part cut from the Utility Test.

Retrieve of Duck
The place of entry may be a short distance on either side of the blind. A dog that
leaps into the water will not be scored any higher than one with a deliberate entry
that is also bold and unhesitating. The dog should swim around or through the
decoys without paying undue attention to them. The dog must pick up the duck
without hesitation and return it to the handler, without delay, using either a land or
water route.
Because releasing the duck during the retrieve could invite the escape of a
cripple, the dog should not drop the duck while en route to the handler, unless it is
obvious that the hold is so insecure as to seriously impede the retrieve. In this
case, the dog is permitted to put the game down in order to secure a better hold
provided it does so quickly without loss of control and then immediately
continues the retrieve.
Putting the game down merely to play or tussle with it must not be
confused with an intelligent effort to improve a tenuous hold. Shaking upon
emerging from the water should not be penalized unless the game is dropped in the
process. Upon arrival at the handler’s position, the dog should sit or stand quietly
close to the handler until commanded to release the duck to hand. Anticipating this
command or dropping the game must be penalized. A dog that willfully mutilates
the bird as to render it unfit for the table, cannot receive any prize.

Search for a Duck
This is a test of the dog’s ability to
locate wounded waterfowl. It tests
use of nose, cooperation, desire,
perseverance, and stamina. Of
significance is the fact that it
places the dog in an environment
where the handler often cannot
physically follow the dog or even
see the actual situation, thus
requiring the animal to rely on its
own initiative and intelligence in
going about the task independently
A dog that must depend
entirely on signals from the handler
to locate the game is unsatisfactory......

With dog and handler both out of sight, a healthy pen-raised mallard or other wild
species of duck is rendered flightless by pulling, not cutting, the primary feathers
of one wing. One of the Judges will toss the duck out well into or past the cover at
the edge of the water.
When the Judges are convinced the duck has gone sufficiently far from the point
of landing and is well hidden, the handler and dog are called up and the dog is
placed in position off-lead. A Judge will indicate to the handler the direction in
which the dog is to be sent. The dog should remain quietly at the handler’s side
until commanded to retrieve. The handler will fire one blank shot over the water and
send the dog. From then on it is desirable that the handler interfere as little as possible
with the dog’s search. Hand, whistle, or voice commands should be used only
when the dog is completely off course and is obviously in serious need of help.
The capable dog will systematically search likely cover and, if conditions are
appropriate, will find and follow the scent path left as the duck moves through the
aquatic cover and over stretches of open water. If the scent is lost, the dog should
not mill around aimlessly at the spot, but should start a systematic search to
relocate the scent

That's a of words, John....needs more pictures to keep me interested

This was your cue to stop reading the cut and pasted part. Though I have seen how your dog retrieves so maybe you should read it all.

Amen brother! We are working on it though.

hey, hes a chessie, he normally has a plan, just might not be my plan