Training my young birds and wondering if I should toss from the same spot multiple times before moving to a new distance.
Some say do each distance once and move on. Others say repeat until they’re consistent.
What’s your approach?
I repeat each distance until EVERY bird is coming home well from it.
No point moving to 10 miles if half your team is struggling at 5 miles. The slow ones need more practice.
I might do the same 5-mile toss 3-4 times before moving to 10, depending on how they’re doing.
Quality of learning matters more than covering lots of distances.
I do it differently - single toss from each spot, always moving forward.
My thinking: they learn the area, not just one spot. If you always toss from the same gas station, they learn “from the gas station” not “from the south.”
Vary the exact release points to teach them general direction rather than specific landmarks.
Both approaches work. Depends on your birds.
Bold, confident birds: push forward faster
Timid, unsure birds: repeat distances until confident
Watch their behavior on return. Birds that come home fast and trap immediately are ready for more distance. Birds that circle nervously need more practice at current distance.