There's No Substitute for Wild Birds
There comes a point in every bird dog's training when planted birds are no longer enough. Wild birds don't cooperate. They don't hold for the dog. They don't fly when you expect them to. Every contact is different, forcing dogs to think, adapt, and rely on their natural ability. That's why nothing accelerates a dog's development like consistent exposure to wild birds. Our Wild Bird Training Camp is designed to bridge the gap between training and hunting. Every day is approached with a training mindset, using real hunting situations to reinforce good habits, expose weaknesses, and continue developing each dog. This isn't about seeing how many birds we can shoot. It's about building a better bird dog.
Bird Camp is held in the Dakotas, in what we call The Northern Great Plains. The exact training area changes from year to year based on hatch reports, rainfall, habitat conditions, bird numbers, and where we believe dogs will have the best opportunity to develop on wild birds.
Dates are announced once bird hatch and habitat conditions have been evaluated.
Before We Leave
Success starts long before we arrive in bird country. Each dog spends time preparing before the trip through conditioning, obedience, bird work, and handling. Arriving with a solid foundation allows us to maximize every opportunity once we reach wild birds.
What Your Dog Will Learn
Every dog is evaluated individually, and each day's training is adjusted based on what your dog needs most.
• Finding birds with purpose • Learning to use objectives effectively • Building confidence and independence • Improving bird handling • Reinforcing steadiness • Retrieving under real hunting conditions • Improving cooperation and handling • Developing endurance for multiple days in the field • Learning from real-world bird contacts that simply can't be recreated in training.
Steady to Wing and Shot: Remaining motionless from the flush until released for the retrieve.
Natural Honoring: Developing the instinct to stop and stay when observing another dog on point.
Pattern Work: Establishing a reliable quartering distance that stays within gun range.
Cooperative Hunting: Building the bond where the dog works for the handler, not themselves.
Every bird contact becomes another opportunity to learn.
Who This Camp Is For
- • Young dogs ready to transition from planted birds to wild birds• Dogs preparing for their first hunting season• Experienced hunting dogs needing more wild bird exposure• Dogs preparing for advanced hunting tests• Owners who want their dog to gain experience that simply isn't available at home.
If you're unsure whether your dog is ready, I'm happy to discuss your goals and recommend the right timing.
Dog Training Camp
$2,950
$2,500 for existing Stohner Kennels training clients and Stohner Pudelpointer owners.
- • Pre-trip preparation and conditioning• Six days of training on wild birds• Individualized daily training• Transportation throughout the trip• Daily progress updates• Lodging and care for your dog• Small camp size for individualized attention.
- A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.
Owner Add-On
$500 per day
Want to experience your dog's development firsthand? Join Scott in the field while your dog trains on wild birds and receive individualized coaching throughout the day. You'll gain a better understanding of your dog's strengths, learn to recognize areas for improvement, and develop the handling skills needed to continue that progress after returning home. This experience is designed for owners who want to become better handlers while seeing firsthand how their dog develops on wild birds.
- Included:
• Lodging
• Lunch
• Transportation between camp and hunting locations
• Individualized coaching throughout the day
• Daily review of your dog's progress and training.
- Not included:• Breakfast• Dinner• Hunting license
Camp FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Reserve Your Spot
Wild Bird Training Camp is intentionally limited to ensure every dog receives the time and attention needed for meaningful progress. Once a camp reaches capacity, registration closes. If you'd like to discuss whether your dog is a good fit or reserve a future spot, we'd love to hear from you.