This image demonstrates the English pointer, Reba, pointing toward a restricted protected pigeon while receiving verbal praise from her master/owner. If she creeps toward the pigeon she is taught to stop, responding to the command, “Whoa.” Submitted photo

Do you realize that dogs are known to have a keen sense of smell 1,000 times more sensitive than man? This remarkable evolutionary development enables a dog to smell and locate a game bird like a pheasant, quail, or woodcock in tall dense brush and weeds.

The Chautauqua County Bird Dog Association, founded in 1970, will be conducting an open house on Saturday at theclub property at 3974 Fluvanna Townline Road, also named County Road 61 from 10 a.m. to noon. The session is to acquaint curious and interested persons with the training of sporting dogs.

Visitors will be able to watch a pointing dog running in the field, catch the scent of a hidden protected pigeon 20 yards away from the dog, stop, and point or stare where the bird is hidden in the brush while resisting the natural desire to advance on the bird causing the bird to flush. During training dogs are taught to remain on point until the master or hunter mechanically launches the bird to resemble a flush then fires a blank .22 cartridge into the air to simulate a shotgun fired to hopefully harvest the game bird. The dog is trained to remain on point when hunting until given the command to either retrieve the downed bird or go look for another bird if the bird escaped the shot. Our training uses pigeons held in a mechanical remote controlled launcher which pushes them into the air allowing them to return to the pigeon coop unharmed.

Common sporting dog breeds such as Setters, Spaniels, English pointers, Vizslas, German short-haired pointers, and Wiemaraners have been bred to use this amazing and unbelievable natural ability. Likely, in my opinion many dog breeds could be taught to find hidden birds just as some dog breeds specialize in finding rabbits, badgers, or raccoons.

During the open house hot dogs and soft drinks will be served. Bring your own dog to run in the fields or try to find a hidden pigeon. If you plan to attend we would appreciate a response so we can plan refreshments and gather sufficient number of pigeons for demonstration by leaving a message on my land line for Robert Ungerer at 716-763-0077 or sending an email to rmungerer394@gamil.com