Pay attention; you’ll learn something.
Shut up. Listen carefully. Trust your dog. Live in the moment. These are lessons it took a ruffed grouse and woodcock hunt to remind me why we go hunting.
Is is relevant to any bird hunter? Hell yes.
Your dog is your best hunting partner. When he’s virtually invisible in the trees, you’ve got to know he’s working for you. If not, head back to the yard for more training.
When pup – or your partners – are working (or for that matter, out of sight or right next to you), pay attention. You’ll hear new sounds, learn from the woods, and you might see a pileated woodpecker. It’s how you find your dog, too.
But most important is the low-level adrenaline rush that starts when you leave the truck and only ends when your head hits the pillow that night: Where are the dogs? What was that roar – a flush? Is pup on point? Where? Where am I? Woodcock or grouse? The anticipation preceding every step, every stumble, branch cracks and leaf crunches is inestimable.
Scott Linden Outdoors 
Just read the book. Fantastic! I have a 10 year old shorthair who I rescued last year. The book has helped our training and overall relationship immensely. As this is my first dog, I can think of 100 questions I need to ask off the top of my head but I have one question I have to ask that no one has been able to answer.
My dog is a decent hunter. We have come a long way in the year we have been together. However, in the course of training this year, to date, he has killed 4 porcupines. Each one has been worse than the one before it and the vet bills have really piled up. He obeys commands well, but when a porcupine is added to the equation, all bets are off. ANY advice is sincerely appreciated.
Thanks for the great book and keep up the good work!
Thanks for the kind words about the book. You are a hero, Matt, for rescuing that dog. Your new dog will never forget you saved their life. As far as porkies, good luck. You might “break” him a la snakes (with professional help). Anyone else? I train my dogs (somewhat successfully) to ignore ALL furred critters at all times. So far, so good on my younger dog. We’ve had our share of porcupine encounters with the other guy, but luckily, not like you.