The time has come- Bird Season is upon us

[labman21]

I'm going to go grouse hunting this weekend for the first time this year and i'm psyched. This area I'm going is really thick stuff. This weekend I'm not planning on taking a dog but I'd like to know how you think a lab would hold up in thick cover. I know I can get my dogs into it but I'm not sure how hard they'll work it once they do.

Any pointers or ideas?

[Ruffshooter]

What kind of Grouse?

Heat is the hard part of hunting with any dog but especially a lab that is not used to it.

[labman21]

This spot is only roughies i think. not high enough for blues

[Ruffshooter]

Why not bring the dog? Give him a shot. He may surprise you, just try to have him stay in shotgun range. Even if you only hunt him for a half hour then again later. He has to learn somehow. I have a friend that hunts Ruffs with his labs. They do very well. But they stay in range and he reads the dog. So he knows to pay attention.

Rick