Question: I've just purchased my first bird dog. I'm an avid pheasant hunter and I do some grouse and woodcock hunting. People have been telling me that I shouldn't hunt my English Setter on pheasants because they run from the dog. Is this true?

Tim K., Pentwater.

Answer: I have English Setters that hunt all the species mentioned. My dogs also do a fair amount of work on my shooting reserve, where running birds aren't uncommon. If the fact that pheasants run makes it undesirable to use an English Setter, then late-season grouse should also be taken off the list of huntable species.

If you want a dog that is completely staunch to wing and shot, running birds will always be your nemesis. It is my opinion that a good hunting dog must be allowed to make decisions on his own. Providing he doesn't flush the bird, I allow my dogs to work a running bird and pin it down. I also want my dog to whoa when commanded under any circumstance. If he sees a running bird and I whoa him, he should stop. If a bird is flushed, shot at, missed, and I whoa him, he should stop. With this type of control, I hunt pheasants with pointing dogs without any trouble.

Charlie Linblade

Mighigan Wing Shooters Hunt Club

Michigan Pheasant Hunting

Michigan Bird Dog Training