Thanks, I like Setters as well, heck I like just about any pointer
When I guide in the fall most of the hunters prefer the Setter over any other for Grouse & Woodcock hunting. They like a dog that covers some ground. but the truth is most of those same hunters are so old that its hard to get them to a dog on point when its 500 yards away in the brush. It seems to me like you have a lot of unproductive points or have to relocate so many times before you catch up to the bird. I know the handler shoud be able to handle the dog and keep it in close, but I like to put a dog on the ground and hunt and not be singing to the dog every 5 min. to bring it back in. With my GSP I can put her in the thickest cover and she will hardly ever get more than 100 yards tops from me. Setters hunt with their head up and sniff for the faintest little sent in the air and stop(OR SHOULD) A GSP is more of a tracking dog and tends to run with its head a little lower to the ground, and some people would like to think that this is why a GSP might "Bump" birds. I feel that all dogs bump a bird or two from time to time, or just run past them on the up wind side. Yes I do know I have heard birds flush before we could get to the point, but who's to say that a dog running 500 yards away is'nt doing the same, you just can't hear it as easily. I have made a few Setter men see the light and the benifit of hunting closer in. And I do know there are some setters that in the owners opinion don't range far enough, but that is how I like to hunt. Each dog has a different "style" I think I have figured out my dogs style quite well. In the past few years the numbers have been down when it comes to Grouse, To shed some light on that, only the strongest and smartest have survived. And it seems that they have developed the knowledge to run, and that is where a good tracker comes into play, when the dog gets on a hot trail, get on the dogs butt and don't stop, be ready for the shot, and when the dog goes on point, most people like to stop and look at the dog, but that is when the bird is running and getting farther away. So when the dog locks up, keep on walking and put the bird in the air..... OOOPs sorry for the ramble, I need to get out hunting! To each their own! and many wishes for a good up comeing season to all.
