two things I don't understand

[OH Osthaus]

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

and how can that much water sit on a steep hillside

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

scoured the area and never found him again

[Kevin McCormack]

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!

[mobirdhunter]

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.