I remember.........

[airmedic1]

When there was at least some activity on the board! Nothing since 2024. Sad.

[NC Quailhunter]

I do as well. I miss the discussions.

[NEhomer]

Social media has ruined message boards which is unfortunate. Message boards categorize discussions so you're not required to sift through content that doesn't interest you. But now less posts means less visits which ends up meaning less posts. Streaming social media is annoying.

In the fall it picks up a bit~

[Steve007]

I don't disagree with you. As a matter of fact, I have posted something of a similar nature myself in the past, and was criticized for being negative. However, that said, I believe there is a significant reservoir of highly knowledgeable people still here that do check in occasionally to see what's going on. I am one myself, though I am perfectly willing to admit that there are others with stronger backgrounds in some facets of trialing and hunting. But there is an answer.

It is obviously to post something which is of interest to the group. Theoretically it should be not only a point of discussion but a genuine problem which could stand a little discussion. I was thinking of posting something of a similar nature recently for that very reason, as I have a new young dog and working through some difficulty in one area. So you may expect something from me.

But I am only one, and if anyone reading this has something to discuss, throw it out there and see what happens. You can't -- this includes me -- reasonably and rightly voice concern if you don't make some attempt to reduce the concern.

And,uh, just asking but why is this under "guns and ammo" instead of general discussion.

[Sharon]

When there was at least some activity on the board! Nothing since 2024. Sad.

You've posted 24 posts in 19 years. Only when everyone does their part will this forum boom again.

[Steve007]

When there was at least some activity on the board! Nothing since 2024. Sad.

You've posted 24 posts in 19 years.

Good response from Sharon. Question posted under "training" section.

[fourseasons]

When there was at least some activity on the board! Nothing since 2024. Sad.

Hi, airmedic1 - first and foremost, thanks for being a GDF member for so many years! I'm another one of those 'oldies but goodies' on this forum who checks in to help keep the lights on. It would be great to get some ideas and suggestions from members how the forum could potentially be modified/improved to stimulate back-to-basic human conversation (NOT flame wars! LOL) vs. social media blurbs, blasts, sound bites, etc. Especially since the old-guard with decades of knowledge about bird dogs (and bird dog people) are ever aging onward and the shame would be to lose out on that wisdom. There are no real shortcuts to learning and gathering experience as time and hands-on make a difference, however getting great advice from been-there-done-that and acting on that advice can help ensure lots of the unnecessary mistakes get skipped and success is multiplied instead. This forum is still a treasure trove for those who appreciate all things bird dogs!

And despite social media, GDF is still getting many new members every month (not spammers/bots), so let's figure out how to get them engaged in conversation

[NEhomer]

One small thing about this site is that, unless I'm mistaken, there's no like button. I may either report a post or quote it. Again, a small thing but we don't know if folks have even read what we've posted.

I'd toss around a like of likes!

[Max2]

One small thing about this site is that, unless I'm mistaken, there's no like button. I may either report a post or quote it. Again, a small thing but we don't know if folks have even read what we've posted.

I'd toss around a like of likes!

I have often thought the same thing about a like button to stimulate responses. I am in the ole timers group who checks quite often for some new material from the people who come here ! Any thing dogs and I'm all in !!

[cjhills]

I tried to stir up some interest a few times and also answer a few questions. They did not seem to go very far. Some of us that wrote quite often back in the day are getting a little age on us. Can't remember most of what we knew, plus naps take up a lot of our time.
I do still have 2 GSPs and a minnie Daschundt. Mostly they chase the bears away from my apple tree.
Hope everyone is doing well............Cj

[fourseasons]

One small thing about this site is that, unless I'm mistaken, there's no like button. I may either report a post or quote it. Again, a small thing but we don't know if folks have even read what we've posted.

I'd toss around a like of likes!

Seems like a good idea LOL - this Forum is a few releases back from current PHPBB system (on which the Forum is configured). I do see that there is an 'extension' (add on) which is a Thank You button (vs. Like), but that would probably work.

I think one day in the not-too-distant-future there will need to be a system update along with some clean up/fix up here on the Forum. But, like most things, it's more or less "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" unless, of course, there are things that can be done to continue to improve the user experience here. The Forum stays live thanks to the generosity of Rob Snell/Gun Dog Supply AND the hours of volunteer moderating primarily by SHARON and SLISTOE. We've had moderators come and go here over the many years, but kudos to these two as they've done a super job of staying on top of things to help ensure the Forum is a family-friendly place to be.

Might be worthwhile to review the subforums to make sure they're still relevant today as well. The current subforum organizational structure helps to have discussions split out into logical groupings so people can focus on specific areas of interest. Might be worth creating a subforum to ask for and gather ideas as well?

A bunch of ideas to consider, but putting into practice and making changes takes time and talent. As Cj put it nicely, "Some of us that wrote quite often back in the day are getting a little age on us"... One thing that virtually anyone can do to help keep the conversations going is to welcome new members as they come online - plus ask questions, post pics, list events, start a friendly challenge/competition, memorialize a dog/dog friend from the past, help a rescue dog find a home, bring your kids/youth into the conversations, etc. Every bit helps

[fourseasons]

I do still have 2 GSPs and a minnie Daschundt. Mostly they chase the bears away from my apple tree.
Hope everyone is doing well............Cj

Thanks go out to you too Cj for 'hangin' in there'!

[NEhomer]

I'd give all of those posts a like!

It'll pick up a bit as the seasons get underway.

[cjhills]

I do still have 2 GSPs and a minnie Daschundt. Mostly they chase the bears away from my apple tree.
Hope everyone is doing well............Cj

Thanks go out to you too Cj for 'hangin' in there'!

Wow!!!! Thanks, I am impressed by that. Also impressed by my neighbor to the North. I have had a lot of conversations with
her.........Cj

[Garrison]

Are trial bred dogs better hunters than versatile dogs, or are versatile dogs better hunters than trial dogs? And what is the best breed? Ready set go!

Garrison

[slistoe]

Are trial bred dogs better hunters than versatile dogs, or are versatile dogs better hunters than trial dogs? And what is the best breed? Ready set go!

Garrison

Good trial dogs are as good as good versatile dogs. Poor trial dogs are as bad as poor versatile dogs. And Brittanies RULE!!!