pheasant hunting without dogs

[stevejedlenski]

how many of you hunt with dogs and is it worth hunting without dogs? ive only been on one trip and it seemed the more people and dogs we had the more birds we saw. also the recovery of downed birds was far less if we had no dogs (crp). what do you guys think?

[HD]

I would say that hunting with a dog is better than without.
More work for you if you don't, but it can be done.
Heavy cover such as CRP, unpicked corn...is hard to hunt without a dog.
Fence lines with open fields on each side, you would have to do the work without a dog.

We lost our bird dog last year, so we are working with new one this year.
And I think that even with a new dog, it's better than without.

[FireRanger]

I'll second that. Have done both and prefer with the dog but if the area is right then it can sometimes be not that bad doing on your own. The open fields are better suited to doing it on your own but as soon as the stuff thickens up, finding a downed bird can be very difficult especially if they can still run but not fly.......they will run for a country mile!

[beeker]

i've done it both ways.. and with a dog is much much easier.. but if you pick your spots walking without can work out well too.. if you walk a fence line or a small patch of cattails.. you can do it without a dog.. the big cover is where you are at a disadvantage without the help of a canine. the pheasants will just run from ya and you'll never know whats there.

[BiggA]

Pheasant hunting without a dog is more like a hike that you just happen to bring a gun with just in case.

[snow]

Why bother? Half the fun is watching your dog work,thats my take~

[MTCOMMER]

Oh yeah, much better with a dog.  We have a 1 year old ESS that was hunting for/with us this year, she did great for her first year out.  Kicked up 5 birds - 1 being a rooster, but we werent able to put it on the ground for her.  Very energetic!
I may be hunting this weekend w/o a dog if the owner doesnt come up - it will be tough, but during deer drives we often kick up pheasants, so who knows!

[Mayfly]

Pheasant hunting to me is not pheasant hunting without a dog. I wouldn't and couldn't do it, thats just me. I love watching and working with the dogs! 

[kenhuntin]

There is no question that you can bag more Chinese chickens with a dog. But it is way less hassle to go without one of those s.o.b.s. You need to feed and water it for an entire year. pick up crap and walk it for a year.Vet bills, leashes, dog hair cleanup, Kennels (plural) for boarding and transport. Electronics for behavior including those with electric yard fencing. Screen repairs, Holes dug and dead spots in the yard. Tails that tip over beers. Tick and flea treatments. Cockleburred up fur, Wet dog tracks on the rug or car seat, tending to facial cuts from barbed wire, To me a hunt is way more enjoyable without all the hassle and wages that need be earned to field a dog to hunt. I choose no dog because it is extremely a more relaxing hunt.

[The General]

Pheasant hunting to me is not pheasant hunting without a dog. I wouldn't and couldn't do it, thats just me. I love watching and working with the dogs! 

+1

P.S. My dogs tail is docked so no beer spilling.

[beeker]

the dog wouldn't tip your beer over if you would just give him one of his own.  I don't see my dog as work, she's a blast to have around

[JoeFisherman]

I'm with you Ken.

[NephronRacing]

I've done it both ways and I have to say with a dog is much better.  My dog is part of the family and I can't imagine life without such a great animal.  The cost of responsible ownership is minimal compared to what he gives back.