Pointing Breeds

[Mzlhunter]

Anyone out there have a dual purpose dog that points grouse/pheasant and also turkey hunts? My dad retired in the spring and got a nice looking GSP pup from a good breeder. He has worked hard with him to lay the foundation for a good pointing dog. I of course started the little guy chewing on wings and fans and the he gets the whole turkey thing. He just busted his fifth flock the other day but my dad is hesitant to continue encouraging him to do so as he is worried he'll ruin him for pointing. In my opinion it is doing no harm because he does his best to point the turkeys first and they'll have nothing to do with that so he takes off after them and busts them up. When he takes him on other live birds he points just fine as they hold still. To me the it is doing no harm but I am wondering if anyone else has an opinion on the issue.

[Bulldogmikey]

A guy posts up in fall turkey hunting tactics I think he uses wisturkeyhunter, he has one pictured that points Pheasants and breaks up turkey. You may want to look at that post.

Mike

[wisturkeyhunter]

Our french brittany points/retrieves grouse,pheasants, and woodcock plus he'll break up a flock of turkey. He does seem to know the difference. I'd rather a upland dog and a turkey dog but its not an option so I make do and it works. I don't think its done any harm. Talked to a guy who had 2 deutch drathaars (probably spelled wrong) and his dogs also pointed grouse and chased turkeys. Don't expect the dog to bark like dogs breed for turkeys. I'd also stick with the versitile breeds instead of the english pointers or setters.

[Ticeman]

I have had three shorthairs and I can't imagine them being worth a plug nickel as a turkey dog, high strung as heck and if he visibly saw a turkey, he'd fill that little bag they sit in, full of doo doo trying to sit still.

[wisturkeyhunter]

I'd say it depends on the breeding. The continental breeds were originally breed to lay still in the duck marshes and then hunt hard for upland birds too. I think it sucks that a dog that was originally was breed to hunt fur,feather, and waterfowl has been changed so much. Not saying they are ideal turkey dogs either or even true turkey dogs but nothing wrong with using em for it either jmo. As much as I hunt upland I don't think it would be fair to the dog  to get a turkey only one. It would get left at home to much. If he would just bark. 

[gspruger]

I had a GSP that was A-1 for grouse, pheasant and yes turkey

[West Augusta]

My uncle had a beagle that ran the heck out of rabbits and would occasionally point and retrieve grouse. Does that count?