I've done this a few times.
It sucks without a dog, to be frank.... lol.
However, let me give you some tips.
#1: Remember, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
If you shoot a bird, concentrate on finding that 1 bird. Let the others go. Like if you flush a bunch of quail and hit 1, don't chase the rest till you pick up the first. Remember the hard part about not having a dog, is finding the dead or injured birds. Dead quail look just like sage brush and dirt and grass. Remember where they fell, and mark that spot.
#2: Go slow. Sneek up on birds, and use your ears to locate 'em. Like if you're walking aroung the field, listen for them running through the grass and sage. Then sneek up to 'em. You don't want 'em to flush out of range.
#3: Once you busted 'em or flushed some (huns are tough to get close to without a dog) chase after them like if you were deer hunting. Run if you have to.... lol. You never know when you'll see the next flock.
And don't be afraid to get dirty. Go into the thickest stuff you can find. Just think where you'd be if you were a bird. With a dog, they can sniff 'em out, you can't do that, so use your eyes and ears.
Good luck this weekend. You'll need it.
