Free: Contests & Raffles.
Yesterday, I had birds flushing 30+ yards in front of the dogs. I was keeping the dogs pretty close (15 yards) but the birds were not holding at all. What do you guys do when the birds aren't holding? I probablly would have had a better chance with out the dogs.
Use the lay of the land and the wind direction to your advantage,remain SILENT and let the dog do it's thing,You never said if you have a flusher or a pointer,I've killed an awful lot of birds over the years where the dog was out banging away a couple hundred yards and got em pinned in crp and then I trekked on over and let em have it with the pincher manuever into their noses.Bottom line is if they hold they hold and if they don't.............you lose.FWIW....................pheasants don't run down steep hillsides.Push them easily toward the break in the hillside,if it's done subtly enough they will hold,if only hens wild flush.........they are Suicide Queens that jump and make you think no more birds are around.......investigate those areas carefully for a tight sitting rooster.
Hunting without dogs can be hard but not impossible. Like others have said hunt the thicker stuff. or hunt with numbers.. I am available