I have went back and read a lot of the old threads before I posted this. I am getting a pup (German Short Hair Pointer) within the next month. The dog is not being bought for the soul purpouse of strictly trapping but would like for it to run with me on the trap line. I am looking for a dog that will find coyote, fox and bobcat sign. I guess my question is if I want a trap line dog, should I go for something else. I have owned GSP's for almost 20 years and there always working to find scent. With a lot of work can my GSP become a good resource on my trap line? Please share your experiences and thoughts. Tips and tricks?? Thanks in advance!!

I've had GSPs for 20 years. They are easy to train as bird dogs, because that is what they're bred to do and they love to hunt. I've never used them for anything else, but they are smart and are probably trainable for your purpose. Good luck with the new pup!

I have no trapline GSP experience. I have bird hunted and been around my daughter's GSP's- it's a great breed and you made a good choice. It might take some patience and untraining to get him/her to focus on what you're looking for rather than every tweedy bird on the trapline. The innateness of finding birds is almost compulsive with this breed- through proper training I'm sure you can accomplish your goal. Good Luck

A GPS will hunt everything you allow it too, as will most dogs. If you take it trapping enough, it will figure out you are hunting fur. Yes it may hunt birds while you are trapping, but you can see the difference in how the dog acts and know that is what is going on. The key to a good hunting dog is it going a lot, no matter what it is hunting.

A good friend and coworker of mine has used his GSP as a trapline and decoy dog successfully for years. They have a good nose and are gamey enough if you put them on enough fur they should figure it out. He has also treed a few lions with his. Good luck.

I appreciate all the responses!! Definitely gives a boost of confidence. I would assume that when he finds obvious sign , I should be rewarding with small treats to encourage him to find more?? Any other advice??

You mean like . . .

I had one for years and him and I had lots of trap line adventures.As said,smart,good nose,mine was a little hard headed and once he got focused on something didn't listen to me at all,when he got older that stubbornness disappeared.When he was a pup on up to a few years old he had no problem tackling trapped coyotes,fox,skunks he got nailed good once by a bobcat ,that cured him of tangling with them.I couldn't keep him off them.But he was a great companion,and loved the trail.He loved the freedom of the woods and was always ready to go.

Beautiful dog SJA!!! My pup will look very similar to yours!!

Zandra sounded like you had a excellent companion!!

I had a shorthair years ago and out of every dog and breed ive hunted behind since, ive yet to see a dog that had the nose that one had. She locked up on everything though, birds, rabbits, coyote, coon, and unfortunately for me (and her) a few skunks. If i paid attention before goin in to kick, she would growl lowly while pointing on critters but never birds . For her size she could pack a punch on a coon too. 15 years later, i now have another gsp pup and shes looking great for 10 months old. I think you made an excellent choice.

Excited to get him. Here is a picture of him in the top of the screen. He is one of the 2 dark ticked ones.

Will be a fine lookin' dawg LB12! :-)