Written By: Zach Miller
"If there is one “hobby” that is not cheap, it is waterfowl hunting and if there is one aspect of waterfowl hunting that is even more expensive… it’s gundog training. When I started out, it was a lot of “I can’t afford this, what can I make or use to fill that gap”. My recommendation before I go any further with this list is to get creative, there is a large amount of resources and gear for this world that we have at our fingertips, but there are a lot of gimmicks at the same rate. No one said you had to have the $500.00 bumper to make your dog amazing. Remember, the dog is only as capable as the trainer, your equipment helps you get there."
All that being said, here is a basic list of gear that I would use if I was starting all over again on a budget. This is enough to get the ball rolling and get your dog up to “Meat-Dog” level, in other words, he/she will bring the bird back to you with confidence.
Bumpers
You can find good quality bumpers of any color (for working dogs) with a simple Google search. Bumpers are a staple of any gun dog trainer’s loadout and it is very tough to substitute such equipment. I would recommend getting a bucket or an old milk carton to haul them. 5-15 will get the ball rolling for the basic retrieving needs. If need be, a good bumper and enough duct tape on each end can be a great way to make yourself a force fetching tool.
Holding Blinds
Holding blinds are great for if you want to compete or title your dog, we can revolve entire sessions around holding blind manners, they are vital for these purposes. It isn’t uncommon to see a quality holding blind go for $150.00 - $215.00 without shipping. However, we can do better than that, Amazon or your local Walmart will have camo tarps in stock in the camping section. Get you one of those and some poles/sticks of good stature and file the ends down to a point. Fashion the tarp to the poles so you have three points of contact and you have yourself a roll-up holding blind. Be mindful as these are wind-catchers and your setup may come crashing down on a windy day.
Whistle/Lanyard
The must-have for a trainer of any profession in this world is a solid whistle. There are some great options available and they have come a long way in recent years. If you have a chance, go check out my other article about the best whistles to purchase for such purposes. We can get a simple whistle off of that list for around $7.00 and it is of good quality. A lanyard is what you make of it as well, my first one was a string of 550 paracord from my old Army pack. As much as that thing would cut into my neck, it got the job done, again… use what you have, you’ll feel better when a plan comes together like that!
E-Collar & Transmitter
A solid E-collar can make or break a training scheme of any kind, while some trainers choose to NOT use one, I’m not here for that noise. E-collars, like most gear, have come a long way and after proper training with how to use one, they can be an absolutely critical piece of gear in your bag. GunDogSupply (Not Sponsored) has the best selection of E-collars and all brands from that site will get you the best results. Proper fitting and level selection will be something you should take your time with to ensure your dog is working at their lowest working level.
Place Stand
The almighty “Place” stand, board, mat whatever you choose to call it, they are great for a gundog of any form. We need to teach place as a basic obedience command and it translates into the hunting environment for a multitude of purposes. We can make one of these out of any sturdy surface, I grew up with a woodworking shop not too far from me and I would run errands for the owner in exchange for some “toss out” scraps. From these I made a simple platform, throw some rubber matting or baseball bat tape on there and you're a high roller! The key to teaching “place” is the elevation, always have it so there is a step of some sort for the dog to come on and off of, this is how we drive home meaning with the command.
Shotgun
This is a tough one to budget as there are not many weapons that you can (legally) purchase for a cheap price. Go check out my other article on the best shotguns to get for duck hunting and you’ll find my personal favorite for training gundogs at the bottom of it. We can’t have a gundog without the first part of that title, plain and simple. At the same time, if we are at this point where we are looking for a dog to retrieve our birds… we are most likely already hunting with a shotgun. Use what you have, at the same time if you want to find an alternative, get yourself two pieces of 2x4’s and clap the flat surfaces together and you will have quite the crack for little to no cost.
Launcher/Bird Boy
While I am no engineer, I am positive there is a way to rig up a contraption to launch your birds from stuff you find in your garage. If you choose to go the launcher route, it will certainly cost you and they tend to be a never ending maintenance. At the same time there is nothing better than having a friend or relative throw your birds for you. It helps build the experience and gets your dog used to a “gunner station” type setting. Educating yourself and your “gunner” how to properly throw and the different types of throws as a “Bird Boy” is a vital member to have on the ground.
In conclusion, this is simply a basic list of what gets the ball rolling. I must warn the reader… this is a slippery slope and you may find yourself becoming addicted to such a venture. Gundog training is a beautiful and sometimes therapeutic experience when understood and respected. Keep an eye out for other articles on this page to help educate yourself and remember, be resourceful!
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