Near guns or as far back as you can?
Re: Near guns or as far back as you can?
Perhaps, the film and hubris was more about how close he could keep his dog and not the animal’s hunting ability. It could be compared to Naj’s example of not scratching an expensive gun, as in this case, a dog and missing out on the real experience.
Re: Near guns or as far back as you can?
The key for me is lettting your dog work rather than you working the dog. This is what they are bred for. I find if i try direct the quartering too much and ignore what the dogs are telling me just so they hunt a nice pattern, you flush a lot less game!
Picking up I'm in the stand far back camp. Usually theres an Aga lab or two capable of picking a few dead birds around the guns, beaters will pick the majority of those in front of the guns as they come through so that leaves the rest for picking behind. Getting a good mark on a quick runner is a help, no good if youre looking over your shoulder to see if they run every few seconds
Picking up I'm in the stand far back camp. Usually theres an Aga lab or two capable of picking a few dead birds around the guns, beaters will pick the majority of those in front of the guns as they come through so that leaves the rest for picking behind. Getting a good mark on a quick runner is a help, no good if youre looking over your shoulder to see if they run every few seconds