Upland Bird Dog: Pointing bird dog training camps

Dog Camp I

Bill West, Lee West and Bill Gibbons

Welcome to the West\West\Gibbons' dog training camp in Arnett, Oklahoma. This is a image essay of their dog training camp. In the early 1980's, Bill West was granted permission to set up a dog training camp in the Davison Ranch. The camp became home to many champions including the famous Barshoe dogs. Many pups were born and trained under the watch eye of Bill West, Lee West and Bill Gibbons. Professional and amateur trainers as well as owners of dogs were always welcomed to stay and train at the camp.

I am extremely grateful to Bill West, Lee West, Bill Gibbons, Charlie and Gladys Chalk, Preston Trimble and others for making me feel at home and for the invitation to experience dog training at its finest.

A full camp with morning activities, cleaning kennels and loading dogs for bird work

Training grounds; 360 degrees of rolling hills, shinnery and motts. Oklahoma is one state were hard driving bird dogs are developed.

Gated horses for training dogs on horse back.

Johnny Houses; where game birds live and released for bird work. Johnny Houses are located in motts (group of scrub oak trees). Birds are used every other day.

The legendary Bill West stands a young derby, Barshoe Wow (Barshoe Patron - Camptown Dot).

Bill Gibbons and Preston Trimble check line dogs on released quail. Notice the short lead for better control of the dog.