I have a place north of Abilene aprox 20 miles and it looks like if the birds will hold up I will have hunt able number of Bobwhites this year. We are seeing covey's in the 20-25 bird range and quite a few of them. I own the property and it's a little over 1200 ac. so I have control full control of the hunting there. This is prime quail country. I actually had hunt able numbers last year but left them alone.

So here's what I'm looking for. Someone with dogs that we can do two to four hunts in late Dec or first of Jan. If your a full time guide or a couple of guys that have some good dogs and want to really work them then that's what I'm looking for.

I have the accommodations on the ranch so over night stay want be an issue.

It will take someone with several dogs to work my place due to the cover. In other words we would need fresh dogs ready to go. I'm thinking min of four dogs up what ever you think.

Thanks for taking the time to read and let me know if there's any interest.

TX Wet,

I only have two GSPs, but would appreciate a chance at working them at your convenience.

I have 1 outstanding dog that I would love to bring. We guided a few hunts last year at Box H in Stephenville but not a guide full time. Just have a love of working my dog and watching how amazing they work. She will honor any other dog's point and backs them. I have a lease in Rising Star / Crossplains area so not far from there but no birds.



I have the video somewhere for this

have 7 good dogs . on 2 leases, one north colorado city one south of it . will be out there a good bit this winter my cell is 601 888 0263

pm sent

Thanks for the replies and PM's. I will get back in touch as the season moves along. Should be good.

Awesome Pics!

Here is a video from my phone.

Whoever gets picked lucky guy

Was that bird planted with it head tucked under the wing or did you dizzy it. As good of job as you did you should use a net instead of a gun.

[/quote]

Was that bird planted with it head tucked under the wing or did you dizzy it. As good of job as you did you should use a net instead of a gun. [/quote].

I was working the dog not shooting. This was a hunt for someone else. These birds hold really well as most pheasants do when they think they have good cover

I have three good dogs and two pals with two dogs each. Will this be a paid for hunt or will it be just for fun. Will we be hunting or just doing guide work for you and your hunters. More information would be nice.

This is not a paid hunt. This is just myself and a few buddy's wanting to hunt behind some good dogs.

Your best bet is finding someone close by, or they get to shoot birds too.
I myself would not travel 700 miles round trip, pay for lodging, to run my dogs for free.

Thanks for reply Kindall but if you read my post accommodations are included and I have several folks all over Texas that have sent PM's that are ready to roll.

I would think it very fair to let the dog owner bust a few too though. It is very sad I grew up in some of the best quail hunting in Texas in central Texas scrub brush and I have not seen a bird there in 15 years. Yes it is your own land and these guys love to work the dogs but I'm sure many of them haven't seen many wild birds in sometime. I am sure with the shortages of quail in this great state you have had a ton of offers but my two cents I would rather work my dogs over dummy birds then not get to shoot a few they pointed at. I am athletic enough I just run down birds and point myself so what do I know I don't own dogs. I do drive 600 miles one way for Wildbirds each year but I sure get a bunch :-). I am sure if I owned a bunch of bird dogs I would be sad and if they hadn't got to work in some time and would be in no questions asked I'm sure it will be a good time for all.

I'd be there in a New York minute with my quail rig, and my bird dogs without a gun just to run my dogs on a new pasture. I'm just no longer dogged well enough to make it worthwhile.

His bad dog is probably ten times better than most

I'm sure we will work everything out between the dog owners and who's shooting. But not promoting it that way because I will end up with two dogs showing up and four shooters (guides).

Our rule while hunting from UTVs is no more than 2 shooters on the ground for each find. (Point)

Agree with Bill on that one. When I use to host the Big Texas Bird hunt even though you had 4 hunters we limited it to 2 shooters at a time. Safety is number one.

Why not limit the hunting group to 2 people

Because the group wanted to be together and laugh at each other. It was and is about the experience of watching dogs work and fellowship in the great outdoors. I do not want a situation like VP Dick Cheney had at the Kennedy ranch. I am sure all of those guys knew what they were doing but 4 guys quail hunting at the same time is asking for an accident. I have hunted 5 guys off of my mule lots of times with 2 shooters at a time and had a great time.

Same with our group. We've used 2 Rangers and hunted 6 people. I never carry a gun anymore and I still get a big thrill out of the hunt.

Believe me. Safety is always at the top of the list. And I fully agree on only a couple of guns per point but at the same time "tigger" nailed it.

We have quail hunted this place for many years along with others so it's not our first rodeo. Just looking for a new handler and dogs to come out and enjoy it with us.

YEP! I'll be like riding into and out of a beautiful painting all day long.

Different stokes for different folks. Not me. If i paid all that money to hunt and could only run my dogs in specific time zones thru out the hunt cause there are too many hunters i would be pissed. One of the many reasons i prefer to hunt alone

Three will work but 4 is just entirely to risky especially if chasing single. I have hunted quail for 60 years and I have come close to shooting and being shot several times with 3 and 4 hunters working and it is just not worth it. I also think it is worse on pen raised birds as opposed to wild birds.

Because he won the hunt and the state allowed for 3 friends. We offered to split into 2 groups but they wanted to hunt together.

I hunt with a 90 year old and an 88 year old and another guy my age. When we hunt together 2 people shoot and the other 2 stay on mule and rotate each find. Works great.

When I guided I always limited to 2 shooter and would give a discount for 3 hunters but they understood only 2 shooters at a time.

SANDFLAT KENNELS

I have a team of 13 dogs 2 puppies. Have my own portable kennel trailer. I also have a mule that holds three other riders besides myself and can carry up to eight dogs. My dogs are well broke, very classy, and handle. I would like you to contact me. Let's discuss details.

Call (815) 252-1185

I have replied to a few PM's today. So if anyone is still interested please PM me. The birds seem to be holding up and it looks like the weekend of Jan 30-31st is the days we will be hunting. We kicked up 4 covey's in less than an hour fooling around with my 9 month old Boykin. She has know idea what she was doing but it was fun just watching her try. Again, I would recommend at least 5-6 dogs as we will cover a lot of ground. Finally I did not have my Boykin booted and she did fine with the grass burrs. This doesn't mean they want be heavier on other parts of the property though.

Thanks,

TW I use athletic wrap in red- hardens when it's wet. Works better than boots. Doesn't rub them raw. I run cockers behind pointers

Interested in that Athletic wrap. Can you post a link toe a picture the type you are using. Just got back from panhandle trip hunting in sandhills that were thick with burrs and agree with you on boots rubbing their feet raw

I'm enjoying this thread and I think it's a great idea to look for dogs to work.

I'm planning to be in the Panhandle in February for the Presidents' Day long weekend and may start a similar thread/dog search.

Best of luck in the hunt!

It was a great hunt! Looking forward to doing it again next year. I'll run dogs for this group anytime. We had a blast!!!

I think I saw that group on the post office wall