two things I don't understand
 

how can a dog that will not go off the walk if the lawn's grass is wet with dew or rain- without being pushed out into the yard - find every bit of water and mud in a cover :cuss:

and how can that much water sit on a steep hillside :banghead:

today was a mudfest -

and to add insult- after this woodcock fell to the right barrel of Tweed's 20ga Flues - I was feeling pretty good about it - until I broke the gun - caught the empty and called dead bird to the dog ---- at which point, a grouse went up from right next to me - straight away in the open as I stood there with an open gun :rotf:

scoured the area and never found him again

I feel your pain - our woodcock & grouse hunt 2 weeks ago was also plauged with mud. You expect it in the bottomlands and adjacent slopes, but we hit small level pools on at least 3 drainage runs on very steep slopes, all narrow, that were as boggy and sucky as any marsh mud. I came close to losing a boot on two occasions. I did bag one woodcock for my efforts, which eased my frustration somewhat. Made the drier but thicker alders and popple look inviting!

Rick, you’re not supposed to answer rhetorical questions (but you’re required to keep asking them).😇

Wet or dry, that’s a handsome pup.