Upland Bird Dog: Pointing bird dog training camps

Dog Camp II

Dog Camp II pages 2, 3, 5 and 6
To Main Page Dog Camp

A sign indicating Davison and Sons Cattle Company, Jim and Donna Folks and the West Dog Camp in Arnett, Ok.

By midweek, Lee West of Barshoe Kennels and Jere Korthanke of Camptown Pointers came to work their dogs and run derbys in the Raymond R. Rucker (RRR) Derby. Both ran various dogs from puppies to broke derby dogs. I rode as well, working Sage on wild birds. I took this great opportunity to learn more about handling dogs from great competitors. Lee West has worked and bred many Champions including three Hall of Fame bird dogs, Buckboard (initially named Barshoe Rebel), Barshoe Buzzsaw and Barshoe Brute. Jere Korthanke recently won the RRR Amateur Derby with Camptown Misty. Dogs from Jere's breeding placed 1st and 3rd in the 2000 American Field Futurity. Jere also bred and handled the 4th place finisher in the same trial. The American Field Futurity is a showcase for young American Field dogs.

Jere Korthanke and Lee West turn pups loose for their evaluation. Many young dogs are simply turned loose to acquaint them with horses and handlers. Getting the pups around and into wild birds is an extremely important stage of training bird dogs.

Bird dogs love to splash and run in water when they are allowed to explore. They learn that running in water ponds are a great way to cool off.

Lee uses a tracking collar to determine the activity of his bird dog. Motts, tall shinnery and rolling hills, sometime prevent observation of Lee's front running dogs.

Rod, one of Lee's derby, takes a water break from the intensity of his run. Rod applies a steady forward race to all of his runs.

Rod is steady after Lee flushed a covey of birds. Lee's horse ground ties throughout the activity, showing it has been well trained.

Jere observes several pups running and enjoying the many ponds found throughout the ranch. Jere has a distinct trailers' 'sing' to get pups to move and come around to the front. Singing is a vocalization that many field trials use to communicate with their bird dogs.