For pigeons, scent is not going to help. Their scent is already 10x stronger (so, I've heard) than any game bird. Plus, you have to watch what you put on their feathers if you plan on using them again.

Your Irish should be fine with any game bird. It only takes an outing for a dog to adjust to different scents. Now when the dog looks undecided and you start beating around the bush only to face a hugh boar, that's when you should be worried. Happened twice to me long ago:P