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Fall is finally upon us. We have all said goodbye to the long, hot, dog days of summer and are now turning our thoughts toward this upcoming hunting season.
Here at RSK we are in the midst of sending home the dogs that traveled with Ronnie and Susanna to Montana for work on the wild prairie birds. All the attendees of that wild bird training program did an excellent job and we are excited to hear how they do in the field this coming year! Now all of our attention will be focused on finishing up the second formal training class that Gabe has been working for the past month. This class will be finishing up their formal training just in time for this season of hunting!
Our first Texas hunts will begin the first part of November. So far bird reports across Texas are mixed, but overall most people are “cautiously optimistic.” As of this time, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has not released their 2010-11 Quail Forecast. We will be attending a Texas Tech University quail field day in Guthrie, Texas later this month and hope to learn more from the TTU researchers.
Dale Rollins with the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch (RPQRR) has his ears to the ground gathering information on the Texas quail crop. After speaking with many local landowners and QuailMasters alumni across the state and doing his own research, Rollins has released his forecast for this year and rates the crop on a scale of 1 to 10 (a score of ten being what we are all hoping for!). To say the least, it’s a mixed bag across the Great State of Texas!
North Texas: An average year scored at 5. “But, given the past couple of years, it’s a “5” that looks like an “8”, i.e., our standards have slipped after several mediocre seasons.” They are, however, still seeing some late hatches on the RPQRR.
West Central Texas: Scores are across the board from a 1 in Eastland County to “perhaps it is not a “10” but it has to be close” in Coke County. There are still reports of young chicks being seen.
West Texas: Located south of I-10 near Van Horn, Ron Helm reported on the blue quail, “I’m afraid I do not have good news. We’ve been working cattle all this last week and I have been horseback a lot, along with the cowboy crews. I can only report seeing one covey of hatched out blues and they were probably 8 weeks old.” Locations north of Helm, however, report 7s and 8s.
South Texas: The “hot spot” of quail forecasts. With up to 35 inches of rain in South Texas this year, landowners are optimistic for the birds. Rollins received many reports of 7s and 8s. Close to the Mariposa Ranch is the San Tomas hunting camp in Brooks County. The San Tomas camp manager gave a more conservative report, “I will go out on a limb and say it’s gonna be better than we may think. Call it a good ’6 or 7′. Will not be a boom year—we just didn’t carry enough [breeding stock] over.” Everyone agrees that early hunting conditions during November & December in South Texas may be tough with jungle-like vegetation and sunflowers shoulder high.
In essence, our constant effort to predict the success of this hunting season is probably about as accurate as the weather forecast! After the season is over we will know how it went and then be able to give some reliable information! Until then we will hope for a good recovery year for the Texas quail and maintain our conservative management practices on hunts.
Posted on October 5th, 2010 | Bird Dog Training, Upland Bird Hunting, Wild Bird Training Program |
Every year we offer multiple opportunities for your dog to be professionally trained on wild birds. First, in September, we train bird dogs on sharptail grouse, hungarian partridge, and pheasant. Then during the Texas quail season, we will be submerging dogs in true hunting situations on wild bob white quail. This is a great way to start off your bird hunting season with a proficient, confident, and conditioned bird dog.
 Young dogs will have the chance to make the transition from pen raised birds to wild birds. Seasoned dogs will be able to refine and polish their skills. This is a tune up that we recommend for any trained dog. A month of working wild birds gets dogs physically and mentally fit and ready to perform their best for you this season.
Every day we will be working on handling, bird work, honoring, and conditioning. The dogs will have the chance to hone their ability to scent and work birds in adverse conditions. Repetition of successful wild covey finds help create and/or maintain a proficient bird finder.
As a hunter, it is very difficult to effectively train a dog and get many game birds in your bag at the same time. We have the advantage, as trainers, of being able to always focus on your dog during our workouts. By sending your dog with us for training on wild birds, your hunts during the season will go smoother, as we will have consistently held your dog to a high level of performance during daily wild bird workouts.
These opportunities are a great experience for any dog. Whether a young puppy needing bird exposure, a freshly trained dog in line for additional experience and to transition to wild game, a field trial dog, or a seasoned gun dog needing their annual tune up, all bird dogs can benefit from this program.
We are already close to full for our Montana trip. However, if we don’t have room to take your bird dog north with us, we have plenty of room to work with them in Texas. For us, wild bird training programs are the ultimate in bird dog training. We feel this is where the dogs really shine!
As always, thank you for entrusting your dog to our care. It remains our goal everyday to set each dog up for success and help him be the best canine citizen he can be. We hope to help you improve your relationship with your dog, as well as help you in all of your upland adventures.
SEPTEMBER IN MONTANA
Our September program offers training on sharptail grouse, hungarian partridge, and some pheasant in Montana. It doesn’t get any better than this for valuable bird exposure! This program is particularly beneficial in helping transition freshly trained dogs to hunt wild birds. Sharptail grouse are notorious for getting up individually instead of in a single covey rise. This allows each dog multiple learning opportunities and gives us multiple opportunities to train. It also makes this program great for puppy development!
The travel time, physical conditioning, exposure to new upland game birds, and the additional training or fine tuning all ensure that your hunting partner is ready for a successful season.
COST: $750 (including transportation from RSK to Montana)
WINTER IN TEXAS
(November – February)
The Texas quail season offers training on wild bob white quail. The dogs joining us for this program will have the opportunity to be worked both during live hunting situations and training exercises. Texas is known for its challenging hunting conditions and for producing world class bird dogs. This is an opportunity for your dog to really rise to the top.
COST: $700/month (owner responsible for transportation to us in Texas)
Who Is Eligible?
- Puppies (at least 6 months of age)
- Any dog that has been trained using the Smith’s methods. This includes all ages of gun dogs and field trial dogs
How to Ensure Your Dog Has a Spot in Our Program
- Simply email us and we will give you access to the reservation forms. Once we’ve received the forms and a deposit, your dog is guaranteed a spot with us.
Posted on June 26th, 2010 | Wild Bird Training Program |
Posted on June 26th, 2010 | Wild Bird Training Program |
We continue to breed the line of Brittany bird dogs that has been associated with the Smith family since Delmar’s first National Championship titles. If not field trialed, these dogs have been used on our commercial upland hunting operations in tough country. In short, our dogs will always be “real bird dogs,” whether titled or not.
We are proud to announce that we are having a litter by Bud and Holly. These pups’ lineage is connected to the Smith family for 11 generations, going back to Holliday Britt who was Delmar Smith’s second National Champion (Many Hall of Fame Inductees can be traced back to Holliday Britt including: Scipio Spinks, Holliday Britt’s Bazooka, Hi-Spirit Bazooka Pistol, Brandy’s Bullet, Perry’s Rustic Prince, Hi Proof Rum Runner, Scipio’s Little Chick, Shady’s Chik-N-Little.). Bud, going back five generations to Perry’s Rustic Prince, is also an outcross to Shambos Dark Shadow and Tequilas Joker. Holly, another one of Smith bloodlines, has greats such as Hi Proof Rum Runner and El Patron in her pedigree. Holly has been used on our commercial wild bird hunting operations for the last six years. She has earned and maintains her position as one of the top dogs on our string.
We are now accepting deposits for the litter. Holly is expected to whelp the end of June. As many of you may guess, we will be keeping our pick out of the litter in order to be able to continue our bloodline. We are very excited about the potential of this litter.
$700 per pup ($100 deposit)
 Holly marking singles in South Texas  Bud during his formal training at RSK
Posted on June 16th, 2010 | Upland Bird Hunting |
Training is in full swing here at RSK this summer! Our first class began on May 3rd, with canine attendees arriving from the four winds. This is a particularly interesting class for us as these dogs have a wide array of backgrounds and goals. This class has everything from gun dogs to show champions intent on becoming duel champions to NSTRA competitors to all age horseback field trialers. With the wide variety of dogs, it is important that our training format is tailored to fit each individual needs and goals. Not only do we address the mental and physical needs of the dogs everyday in their training, but we also keep in mind the ultimate performance goal for each dog. We are reminded each day that our success as trainers depends solely on the satisfaction of each client’s goals.
We spent the first month of our training program developing solid foundations on all of the dogs. Morning sessions around RSK typically begin about 6:00 am with cleaning kennels, catching pigeons, caring for the animals, and prepping for the day’s workouts. During the Foundation Level we begin with our lessons checkcording dogs in to birds. This exercise allows us to work to build cues for dogs to go with us and come to us, as well as giving each dog an opportunity to point a pigeon and have multiple opportunities to honor other dog’s point. When each dog either points or backs, the trainers quietly work up the checkcord and kneel beside the dog to hold them during the flush. This allows us to begin molding the dog’s behavior around birds and at the same time pre-conditions the flank as a point of contact for standing still.
 Pre-conditioning the flank as the dog is held steady through the flush Our afternoon sessions during the Foundation Level of training concentrate on developing a point of contact for stopping. This is accomplished by teaching the dog’s on the whoa post. This drill gives us a controlled environment in which to develop a conditioned response to stop. The principle behind the whoa post is cue to stop, release, and wait for the dog’s acknowledgement. Repetition of this drill builds a conditioned response so that a dog will stop without even thinking about it. We feel this is the best and most reliable method of teaching a dog whoa. We like our bird dogs to be intense on their birds. With this Foundation a dog thoroughly understands the cue from the e-collar and therefore complies to a low level cue without ever loosing intensity or becoming confused.
 English Setter focuses on a pigeon as it flushes The month of June will be centered on the Intermediate Level of training. During this level of training we are transitioning all of the mechanical cues of the rope to the remote cue of the e-collar. This is where the real fun begins! This month we will be able to turn dogs loose and “take the chase,” “stop the creep,” and steady the dogs using the e-collar. While dogs are with us we work on the individual as a whole, therefore we will be working to instill manners around people, including off lead heeling.
We are really enjoying working with our first class and looking forward to their future! The second training class which begins on August 2, 2010 is already full. We are taking Reservations for our wild bird training, both in Montana during September and in Texas during the hunting season. Space is very limited, so please let us know soon if you would like us to take your dog along on any of these available training opportunities.
As always, remember a dog is like a book…all you have to do is learn to read!
 A Smith bred Brittany focuses on the bird as it flies
Posted on June 16th, 2010 Tags: Summer Bird Dog Training at Ronnie Smith Kennels
| Bird Dog Training |
Since its unveiling a few years ago, the Garmin Astro has quickly become an almost mandatory piece of equipment for bird hunters. The benefits of the product range much farther than just the ability to keep track of your dog. It allows you to mark and monitor coveys, analyze the course and speed of your bird dog as he hunts, and much more.
Garmin has taken the time to listen to its consumers and improve the design and function of the collar by the addition of the DC 40. The new collar, the DC 40, is a self contained unit that can be put on the same collar that you are running your electronic collar. This eliminates the need to have two separate collars on your dog (and the much joked about need to breed dogs with longer necks to accommodate all of the new fangled equipment!).
Garmin also improved the charging system on the DC 40. The DC 30s were known to have faulty charging connectivity should even the slightest bit of dust or mud get in the connection. Garmin has replaced the old charging method with a slip on flat contact charging interface.
Garmin has also added a security feature of a collar lock. The lock gives you the ability to control who can or cannot track your dog’s signal on a Astro unit. This feature will make the unit more field trial friendly as it allows the judge to lock your collar and hand you the PIN to unlock it once your dog has completed his run.
We intend to be training and hunting with the new collar after its release in August. Once we have submitted it to our rigorous use, we’ll let you know the pros and cons that we encounter. However, while this new collar may not revolutionize the bird dog world, it definitely is a step in the right direction for Garmin. Thank you to the staff at Garmin for listening to consumer’s concerns and issues.
Posted on June 16th, 2010 | Bird Dog Training Equipment, Uncategorized |
 We conduct seminars across the country, yet near and dear to our hearts are the seminars held right here at the birthplace of the Smith Training Format…Big Cabin, Oklahoma. This is where Delmar Smith and Ronnie Smith Sr. began the Smith family tradition of developing fine bird dogs over 50 years ago. At one time, this area boasted the highest per capita concentration of bird dog trainers in the states. We continue to train dogs and hold our seminars here on the original Smith homestead, just across the road from where the original kennels once stood.
The first of the three seminars we hold here each April is the Foundation Level Seminar, the cornerstone of the entire bird dog training system. Some of the things we will be working on during the seminar will be building our dog’s prey drive, checkcording in the field, bird work, developing points of contact for handling our dogs, and teaching people canine behavior. This format is proven to work well for any application, whether gun dog or field trial dog, pointer or flusher. No matter the age of the dog or the proficiency of the handler, the Foundation Seminar has something to offer everyone.
We would love to share our training format with you and welcome you to our home and to our kennel. Come join us for a fun weekend of dog training!
FOUNDATION SEMINAR
The Cornerstone of the Smith Training Format
APRIL 9-11, 2010
Big Cabin, Oklahoma
To Register Contact:
Londa Warren 405.990.5199 or
Susanna Love 918.783.5400 / office@ronniesmithkennels.com
 Ronnie demonstrates the training exercise  Canine attendees paying close attention to seminar  Great hands on instruction for the participants  We all have a lot of fun & share a lot of good dog stories!
Posted on March 4th, 2010 | Smith Training Seminars |
 The Texas quail season is coming to a close. It has been tough all over the great State of Texas this year. The unpredictable Texas weather made it difficult for the young quail chicks to survive. First, there was almost a year of little to no rain, followed by months of over 100 degree temperatures. It wasn’t until this fall that most of Texas began to see some much needed rainfall. Ranchers and wildlife experts began seeing “bumble bee” sized chicks quickly, however, it appears that an early cold snap took its toll on that last hatch. It is estimated that 20% of this year’s quail crop survived to maturity. Therefore, the majority of the quail we worked this year were last year’s birds…and there is a reason they are survivors! These wily quail either tuck in so tight that you and your dog could work right over them in the cord grass or sacahuiste or put on their tennis shoes and take you on a trek working scent for over a quarter of a mile! It made for a sporting year for all Texas quail hunters and many more quail lived to reproduce than what was harvested by hunters.
Sheer luck allowed us to get some fantastic bird work done with some of our first year dogs on the string. Pairing a young dog with an old proven bird finder, we were able to keep the young ones in enough birds to keep them focused and learning. It looks like the end product is some sure enough young bird dogs! Our youngsters, Bo, Maria, Vegas, and LB, learned life lessons of how to work wild birds in tough scenting conditions. Below is a picture of Vegas pointing a nice covey at the edge of a mesquite mott. Bo is honoring in the background. We were able to harvest two birds from that particular covey and both dogs had nice retrieves. It makes both of us giddy seeing a new group of classy young pups out there each season doing what they are bred and trained to do!
Thanks to everyone that hunted with us this year! We enjoyed each of our outings with you and hope to see you again next year!
Posted on February 24th, 2010 | Upland Bird Hunting |
Grab your coffee and join Big Billy Kinder at 5:00am Saturday mornings on WBAP 820 AM out of Dallas / Fort Worth! Big Billy invites you to come into the camp-house for an hour of outdoor, hunting, and dog training talk that will get your weekend going! Weekly, you will enjoy Big Billy and other Pro Staff…WFAA, Chief Meteorologist Pete Delkus, and Dallas Morning News, Columnist, Ray Sasser, Tom Dokken of Oak Ridge Kennels and, of course, our own Ronnie Smith! Each show Bill Kinder seeks out Ronnie & Tom for dog training tips and advice, so don’t miss a single one! See You In the Camp THIS Saturday!
Posted on February 17th, 2010 | Bird Dog Training |
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