The pointer group is established for the purpose of training personal gun dogs of the pointing variety. We welcome all dogs, regardless of breeding, whether registered or not. We have a very diverse mix of pointing dogs in the group, from young pups to old seasoned, mature dogs. As with many pastimes, pointer owners have different ideas of what is the best breed and how dogs should be trained to perform. We respect that and don’t promote any one breed or training program over any other. Our members have a wealth of experience training in many different ways and are eager to help less experienced trainers bring their dogs to their full potential.
The Pointer group meets weekly at the training grounds on Carpenter Road at the Missouri Headwaters State Park between Three Forks and Logan. Training sessions usually start in early April and conclude at the end of August. Training birds will be available at a nominal cost and training equipment such as launchers, etc. are available for use during training sessions.
Members enjoy our monthly Pointing Dog Evaluations, or PDEs, which are friendly, inexpensive, fun trials that simulate actual hunting. PDEs are held on the third Saturday of each month from April through August. See this brief video for more information. The pointing dog group is focused on hunting but we also support our members’ participation in other performance-oriented activities, such as hunting ability tests and field trials put on by other organizations such as NSTRA, NAVHDA, AKC, American Field, and various breed clubs.
One thing we are strict about is safety. Please review and remember the safety rules posted below to keep yourself and others safe while training.
We invite you to join us and come out with your dog to train so that both of you are prepared for a perfect opening day!
Missouri Headwaters Gun Dog Club Pointer Group Gun Safety Rules
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded at all times. Always point the muzzle of your shotgun in a safe direction. Avoid all horseplay with a firearm.
- Keep your safety on and your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions, and you have only ammunition of the proper size for the firearm you are carrying.
- Carry your shotgun safely with two hands and the muzzle pointed upwards, not level or pointed at the ground.
- Keep your shotgun unloaded at all times except when making the final approach to flush a pointed bird.
- Provide visual proof to others that your shotgun is safe and unloaded:
- Break Action – keep the action broken open at all times except when ready to shoot.
- Pump Action – keep the slide pulled back and the breech open at all times except when ready to shoot.
- Autoloading Action – keep an empty shell protruding from the partially open breech except when ready to shoot.
- Know your target and what lies beyond your target. Know where roads and vehicles are and where the gallery is. Never shoot at anything on the ground. Make sure you can see sky between the ground and your target before shooting.
- Do not place your shotgun anywhere it might fall.
- Wear at least 400 square inches (equivalent to 20” x 20”) of exposed, high visibility hunter orange clothing at all times while training.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages or other mood-altering drugs before or while shooting.
- If you see someone handling a gun in an unsafe manner, politely remind them of these safety rules. Report any safety lapses to the training leader or PDE leader.
- The training leader or PDE leader has the authority to ask unsafe gun handlers to leave the training grounds. Failure to abide by these rules may result in dismissal from the club.