Jun 6, 2025 4 min read

By Dave Bates

For the Observer-Reporter

Picture it. … Just ahead, our faithful German Shorthair Pointer is locked staunchly on point, trembling but not dislodging her quarry from its dug-in point of safe harbor. As my Briar pipe is doused and the dottle knocked free against boot sole, the 28-gauge side-by-side Parker is closed, locking up superbly. Slowly but deliberately, the point is approached and a most confident shooting stance taken. The grouse rockets from its hide, a silky swing and follow through sends the partridge tumbling and a superb shot is followed by an even more impressive retrieve. The pup’s ears are scratched. She is told what a good girl she is and all that remains is the picture taking and a celebratory cup of Joe on the truck tailgate. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Alas, this is but a pleasant dream from which I am roused. I don’t smoke a pipe. I don’t own a Parker. The 28-gauge is but a play toy in my hands. My pup’s points are a vague recollection of which staunch would not aptly describe. It’s been a couple of seasons since my Gertrude could manage more than an hour afield. Currently, she is reduced to fireplace duty. My dog’s points might best be described as tentative, infrequent and somewhat less than solid. I blame myself. “I tried but I couldn’t, I tried,” as the old jingle goes.

Friends provided advice but I was not knowledgeable enough to master the curriculum. By the time I was smart enough to seek advisement from those that truly knew, my girl was on the downside of the mountain in dog years. Time was always the biggest enemy, creating excuses as I battled the clock for days afield and settling on inferior training demands. My trips to ample bird country were more seldom than I’d have liked and admittedly, I let my dogs get away with too much poor work in the spirit of putting a few birds in the game bag. Instead of requiring first-rate work, I settled on shots taken and opportunities mostly missed.

Shame on me once for letting it happen. Mark my words, it will not occur again. Having officially reached retirement from teaching this past week, I am on a new mission. Begin the search for the next pup, but what to choose? I am torn between selecting another German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) and trying my hand at my first Springer Spaniel. I tell myself that I want a dog who is nearly as big a spas as I am.Careful what you wish for. That might very well be the case with a Springer. Maybe these are excuses out of fear of turning out another mediocre pointing dog in the process. Do I double down on a pointing dog with true grit and determination or do I downshift and try a whole new ballgame?

I am planning on more time in Wisconsin these coming bird seasons. There will certainly be woodcock upon which to train and the grouse will take care of themselves, if I do my job. In addition, northcentral Pennsylvania holds enough birds to add promise. Once home from the Northwoods, stocked pheasant on our PA Game Lands will provide more opportunity to hone the rough edges of a new pup.

The coach in me says do it right or don’t do it at all. Don’t back down from a challenge. If I don’t follow through, then I have no one to blame but myself. I have enough friends to lean on when it comes to training support. I have always loved my GSPs and believe that with more time in the woods and a firmer grasp of training concepts, I can “get er’ done” quite nicely. Always the eternal optimist.

On the other hand, I have had great luck with training retrievers and would love to try my hand at a breed that might produce more flushes. If I can keep a Springer close enough to the gun, I might discover the love that I have always looked for. I’d love a smaller dog for companionship purposes and ease of lifting. I’m not able to tote a 70-plus pound Shorthair like I used to.

Romantically, I’m leaning to the Springer side while practical is whispering GSP in my other ear. I still have a bit more time before pulling the proverbial trigger on my decision. Here’s to hoping my expert readership base will weigh in and assist me in making a more intelligent decision. Our clock is ticking.

Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com