i dont have a dog either and let me tell you, sometimes retrieving birds is a pain in the @$$

. before i have packed around a little fishing rod with a treble hook and a weight. Or those straight line tools that are used in construction (i dont know the name, but they are on a spool that spin and have the little handle.\, kindof look like a chalk line), with a weight on it and try to loop it over the bird and pull it in.
as far as spots go im not familiar with the area and i am new to duck hunting myself.
Good luck!