My club, Torrington F&G has a designated, state authorized dog training area. I plan on working my 5 month old lab over live birds in the next few weeks. Are there any specific rules I should be aware of? I do intend to be shooting the birds.

Bruce, Have you ever tried 1) handling a dog, 2) handling a gun, and 3) handling a camera all simultaneously? I can do 2 out of 3, but after that I'm in trouble. I'll give it my best shot anyway.

BTW, do you know any pigeon breeders?

HUNTING DOGS
26-49-1 Training
The training of hunting dogs shall be permitted in the field at any time except as provided in section 26-66-3(i), provided due care shall be exercised to avoid injury to any protected wildlife.

26-49-2. Hunting dog training areas
(a) The size of the area where dog training is permitted shall be not more than 300 acres; however, the area where the shooting of birds will be permitted in connection with dog training shall be not less than five acres nor more than ten acres in size and shall be in a single block.
(b) The external boundaries of the dog training area shall be conspicuously posted and the area where the shooting of birds is permitted in connection with dog training shall be adequately posted by the permittee at intervals of not more than 100 feet with conspicuous signs of a size not less than 11" X 16". These signs shall include the name of the permittee and the words “Regulated Dog Training Area ... Authorized under regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection.”
(c) The area where the shooting of birds is permitted in connection with dog training shall be in a location that does not conflict with any reasonable prior public interest, shall be suitable for the purpose, where the discharge of firearms will not endanger public safety, and shall be on or in close proximity to the private shooting preserve, game farm or commercial kennel of the permittee.
(d) Only artificially propagated pheasant, chukar partridge, quail, ducks and pigeons of either sex may be liberated and shot.
(e) All birds liberated shall be full-winged and capable of maintaining normal flight and shall be in a condition suitable to maintain themselves in the wild.
(f) No game bird or pigeon shall be permanently confined on the area where shooting is permitted in connection with the training of dogs by use of any device.
(g) All birds after they are shot in connection with dog training, shall be identified with a tag obtained from the Department at a fee of ten cents each.
(h) The permittee shall keep accurate written daily records which shall be open to inspection by any duly authorized representative of the department at any reasonable time. These records shall include:
(1) The name of each person hunting on the area, the day the person was hunting and amount of game, pheasant, quail, chukar partridge and ducks taken each day.
(2) The number of all pheasants, quail, chukar partridge, and ducks liberated on the area included in the permit, together with the dates when such birds were liberated. Not later than thirty days following the period for which the permit was issued, the permittee shall submit to the department, a true copy of his records on forms provided by the department.