[Gary Laudermilch]

After chasing grouse for many decades I cannot say that I have noticed any behavioral changes in grouse. Many young birds equals easier hunting and more old birds in the population and you will find out just how good your grouse dog really is.

Quiet, quiet, quiet! No whistles, calling to the dog etc. I have had a successful run when I do not have to say a word to the dogs. I use the tone feature on the collar to advise the boys to come in a bit closer if needed. No whoa commands in the field. That is reserved for training. When approaching a point I try to be as stealthy as if deer hunting. It is very seldom grouse flush from the dogs or the bells they wear if they do not crowd the bird. They often will flush prematurely if they hear my bipedal footsteps approaching though.

If it is grouse you want to hunt train your dogs to stay off their birds. It is the one thing for which I train extensively. Stop at first scent and hold it until I get there. In my opinion, training on pen reared birds only makes the task more difficult. As much as I am fascinated by woodcock I avoid targeting them. They will teach a dog to crowd birds if given a steady diet.

There is no substitute for training on wild birds. I have yet to devise a training technique to teach a dog to handle grouse. He has to learn it on his own through exposure to the master teacher. If a dog has any bird sense at all they will develop their own technique for handling old birds.