Upland Bird Dog: Pointing bird dogs and upland birds

Sportsman

Sportsman Michel Gélinas

UplandBirdDog.com welcomes Michel Gélinas of Quebec, Canada. Michel has been hunting woodcock and grouse for over 28 years. Since 1984, Michel has been involved with banding woodcocks to study their migration and pattern, habitat and health. To help in these activities, he uses the pointing dog Braque Français. These bird dogs originated in France around the 17th century. Although the Braque Français is relatively new in North America, they have a strong following, especially those who pursue woodcock and grouse.

Michel trains his bird dogs in the woods of Quebec. He uses voice, hand and whistle commands. Once the dogs are on point, a blank gun is used to simulate hunting conditions. Michel strategically uses a bell on his dogs, because birds are found in dense wooded areas. Occasionally both a bell and a beeper collar on point mode are used.

For more information on the Braque Français, please see Michel's web site.

Canadian Widlife Service

Quebec hunting information

Michel's 1999 Woodcock Hunting Results
Dogs	Hunting Days	Hours Hunted	Birds Seen	Points
Anouk	2	3.5	11	7
Kim	10	25	63	61
Zouky	13	30.5	105	89
Total	25	59	179	157

Michel's 1998 Woodcock Hunting Results
Dogs	Hunting Days	Hours Hunted	Birds Seen	Points
Anouk	2	4.5	5	5
Kim	2	8	15	14
Zouky	14	39.5	69	59
Total	18	52	89	78

Club Du Braque Français Québécois

Survey results of club members and their preference in a Braque Français.

American choices	Canadian choices
1) Nose	1) Intelligence
2) Hunting desire	2) Hunting desire
3) Intelligence	3) Nose
4) Endurance	4) Steady to wing & shot
5) Calm	5) Endurance
6) Retrieving	6) Caution
7) Steady to wing & shot	7) Calm
8) Caution	8) Retrieving
9) Tracking	9) Tracking
10) Color of the coat	10) Color of the coat