Game Fair season approaching - what's there for the pointer and setter men?

Wolfhillbilly

The Game Fair circuit will start pretty soon. The BASC one in Co Down is only about five weeks away now. There's a few pointer/setter men on here and I was wondering if (like me) other pointer/setter men (or women) feel a bit left out of things when it comes to the fairs. I usually go along to one or two each year but unlike European game fairs, they don't really cater for pointers/setters or HPRs.
There's plenty of competition for labs and springers, and admittedly the retrieving tests are a lot more easily organised, but surely one of the game fairs in the country has the space to run a small competition for pointers and setters.
I think that in Europe the dogs are tested on 'planted' quail. Okay so it must be a very simulated experience, but it would be something different and would provide a different type of competition for anyone who trials or owners who want to run their shooting dog in a competition for the craic.
One issue that occurs to me is the antis. They would be all over anything that would be seen as an abuse of animal welfare, which I'm sure they would claim 'planting' birds is. Still, it is done on a regular basis in France etc.
Any views?

EPointer=Birdss

Wolfhillbilly wrote: »

The Game Fair circuit will start pretty soon. The BASC one in Co Down is only about five weeks away now. There's a few pointer/setter men on here and I was wondering if (like me) other pointer/setter men (or women) feel a bit left out of things when it comes to the fairs. I usually go along to one or two each year but unlike European game fairs, they don't really cater for pointers/setters or HPRs.
There's plenty of competition for labs and springers, and admittedly the retrieving tests are a lot more easily organised, but surely one of the game fairs in the country has the space to run a small competition for pointers and setters.
I think that in Europe the dogs are tested on 'planted' quail. Okay so it must be a very simulated experience, but it would be something different and would provide a different type of competition for anyone who trials or owners who want to run their shooting dog in a competition for the craic.
One issue that occurs to me is the antis. They would be all over anything that would be seen as an abuse of animal welfare, which I'm sure they would claim 'planting' birds is. Still, it is done on a regular basis in France etc.
Any views?

Be nice alright mate but you'd have to wonder how much ground would they need to run a trial... Even if they planted a few birds for each dog.
Antis cant complain cause when the birds get up they are in essence being released so what's wrong with that.

Be an idea though, would enjoy watching that...

Double Barrel

I think it is a great idea as few fair goers have ever being to a field trial and are not up on the capabilities of trial dogs or top notch shooting dogs for that matter.
It may be possible if it was run as a demonstration, keep it simple, work the glitches out and who knows it may become standard fare. As far as I am concerned planting birds is the only viable option for a limited venue. Should not have a problem with the martyr's to perfection.

mallards

Do you know when the guy does the herding the ducks with a sheepdog thing. After that you could plant a few homing pigeon. Let the dog work the grass with a few brush piles on it. The pigeon could be in the pile at the end. Heh presto the dog does a bit of hunting on the duck scent, catches a whiff of the pigeon. Points, bird is released. Bang goes a starter pistol, Dummy is thrown. Dog retrieves to hand. Cue round of applause and two dozen orders for pups off you from the spaniel and Lab men.

I'd watch that!

Mallards

Wolfhillbilly

EPointer=Birdss wrote: »

Be nice alright mate but you'd have to wonder how much ground would they need to run a trial... Even if they planted a few birds for each dog.
Antis cant complain cause when the birds get up they are in essence being released so what's wrong with that.

Be an idea though, would enjoy watching that...

They definitely do something with planted birds at he European game fairs and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have that much more land than we do! (is there not one of the fairs held at Powerstwon race course?). I remember reading an article about it in the Irish Country Sports and Country Life a couple of years back but I'd have to dig the magazine out.
It wouldn't be the same as a trial obviously but it could generate a bot of friendly competition and also generate a bit of interest in pointers and setters as mallards says. I know plenty of shooters who think that a pointer or setter 'isn't suitable' for hunting pheasants despite what I tell them!!