Bird Launcher Testimonals

PRODUCT REVIEW OF THE AIR ROTARY 16 AND Air Pro 14
by Charlie Jurney

Properly training dogs is a time consuming and labor intensive proposition. It has been virtually impossible to train a dog by yourself until the last couple of years when the use of remote launchers came into the market. The newest additions to the launcher community are produced by Air Launch King in Kings Mountain, North Carolina and now available. I have used these units in our training program and have been quite impressed with the flexibility they offer. I have not been a big fan of launchers in the past but now believe you could cover virtually every drill needed to produce a finished dog by your lonesome using the new Air Rotary 16.

Both models were designed and patented by Gene Putnam, an engineer, who is a bird hunting and retriever-training enthusiast. The units are completely remote and are capable of throwing multiple ducks, pigeons, large/small bumpers, or Tommy Dokken's popular dead fowl trainers. They consistently toss small bumpers sixty (60) yards, pigeons thirty (30) yards and ducks twenty (20) yards. All of the throws were with very high arcs and extremely visible to the dogs. Not only do they throw all day, these models hold from 13 18 birds or bumpers of your choice so you do not have to reload after each series.

Imagine the possibilities. The remote controls offer a range of 500 yards and set up of the units is both safe and simple. They are lightweight and rust free of aluminum construction. Both launchers are powered by 125-PSI compressed air and a 12-volt DC rechargeable battery pack. The air tanks will support up to 32 birds/bumper tosses before needing to be easily refilled. There are no operating costs of primers, propane, oxygen or rubber band replacement. The air tanks are safe to operate and offer no danger for explosion during storage and/or transportation. Diversion drills, honor drills, schooling marks, multiple marks (doubles/triples/quads) and cheating singles can be mastered easily with no help from anyone else.

An attractive option of sound can be added on to the unit for an extra fee. If you need a shotgun blast, duck call, or attention getter of any type, this can be produced on demand from your remote control and a waterproof speaker mounted on top of the launcher. Add a white silhouette of a person for the field trailer or a camo holding blind for the hunt test trainer and you are in business. For the amateur, you can now train by yourself and master all the skills needed to compete with the pros. For the professional, you can utilize your manpower in a more economical fashion and have a much more efficient training day. It is nice to see a new item on the market that offers a true edge in training.

A recent update added to Mr. Jurney's website

I use the Air Rotary model every day in our training program and can honestly say it is the most valuable piece of training equipment I own. All of our dogs have dramatically improved their abilities to mark because of this unit and I highly recommend it to you whether you are an amateur or professional trainer. It opens up endless possibilities and maximizes your training time. Come by our kennel and watch it in use each day or visit their web page.

About the author:
Charlie Jurney is located in rural Catawba county of Piedmont North Carolina with kennel facilities that specialize in retrievers for the field or competition.
An active participant in the United Kennel Club's Hunting Retriever Club. In the past, he ran the North American Hunting Retriever Association program and have placed many dogs on the NAHRA all-American team.
Beaverdam Kennels has produced seven NAHRA 1000 point dogs and more Grand Master Hunting Retrievers and Master Hunting Retrievers than any other facility in North America.
An accomplished breeder, trainer, writer and member of the Innotek pro staff.

Visit his website at: http://www.finisheddog.com/home/default.asp