NDR: Need help - bird dog owners....

Nate Grace

Nate Grace

Well-known member
Any bird dog owners out there close to Massachusetts or in the New England area, I need your help. I have a 6 month old French Brittany puppy and I need to get some flight ready quail for training. Having a heck of a time finding a farm or breeder of quail that is close (within an hour or two) of Boston. I only need 20-25 birds to get my pup going. Have a flight pen/coop built and ready to go.


Please shoot me an email if you know of anyone that could help me and my pup out.




Thanks!

Nate Grace
 
here is a start, http://www.mynaga.org/Members.asp click on the states and start calling. Also pick the brains of the local NAVHDA chapter guys, sometimes you can find some backyard breeders that way. Also check farmers auction/market, PA has a number of these where you can usually get game birds. Lastly some of the bigger breeders do ship. good luck
 
Nate, try calling Hedgerow Gunclub 268 Athol Richmond Rd. Royalston, MA 01368, (978) 249-7115
 www.hedgerow.com Ten years ago you were able to purchase quail / chuckar for use there at their grounds or to take home with you to train in your own area. Remember if you are going to purchase birds for training in MA you need a Class 8 permit issued by MA Wildlife and need to produce the permit at the time of purchasing the birds. Hope this helps. Paul
 
Thanks Bill. I used that link and found a place in Belchertown and another in Alton, NH. Sent emails and just waiting to hear back.


Hi Paul - I actually gave Pat a call at Hedgerow to ask about quail. He has no quail, and only chukar and pheasant. I may try getting a few chukar just to get my pup birdy. I met Pat a few years back when a friend of mine bought a French Britt and was having him trained out there. Nice place out there in Athol. Totally in the boonies too, which is cool. Getting the Class 8 permit this week.



Best,
Nate
 
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Nate - You might check with Peter at Fin and Feather tackle in Essex. He has Brits and has hunted with Pat, I think. He also hunts Maine for upland.

sarge
 
Nate,

You may give Foggy Ridge Game Bird farm a call. The Olmsted's travel throughout the New England area for deliveries. They also have the absolute best quail I have ever trained over. Very flighty, strong birds.

Foggy Ridge Gamebird Farm (James R Olmsted*)
213 Highland Rd
Warren, ME 04864-4176
Phone: (207) 273-2357
 
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Nate... a couple of my gun-club mates take a big 'ol net and go under road bridges and bag rock doves...

One day, a cop stopped and asked them what the hell they were doing... they were honest and the cop said "great idea" and drove off...

The birds are free and you are probably doing the bridge a favor too.

A.
 
Hi Mitch,

Yep, got it. Just been wicked busy here with work and stuff. My truck is puking coolant at the moment, so that is sucking up some time too. Ughhh! I am striking out on finding birds, but may call the place in Warren, ME tomorrow. If they don't have any quail, I may just buy some pigeons or chukar from Pat Perry at Hedgerow. He's a good guy, and I'd like to get out there to see him again.

The only other thing I could recommend is to join a local chapter of NAVHDA and take part in a training day. I am doing that later this month with a good buddy of mine (thanks Cush!).


Take care, and good luck with the pups. Sounds like you have a good pack there!




Best,
Nate
 
Nate,
I dont get in on it but the game committee chair at my club uses the source from Maine and has been very happy with delivery and flight of the birds. I do believe the same source is the supplier of the field trials and hunt tests so he is on the road all summer with birds.
Your local agg extension agent should be able to help with the bird papers for your state if you are keeping them around.
 
Hi Nate, I will give my trainer a call and see if he has any birds that he would be willing to sell if you don't mind driving out to western Mass.

BJ
 
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