Thread: How much should I look into trials?

If you want to use it for Deer and birds, realise it will probably do one better than the other. If you want it to mainly hunt deer, then focus the training in this direction. In NZ this would mean lots of heeling, working by your knee while moving quietly through the bush.
This training will probably limit the dogs range while working birds, but that is the compromise you must accept.
A good dog though will quickly work out the difference between working birds and deer and change its behaviour accordingly.
Whichever you decide as the main focus, get the dog working well before training for the other.