Joe, I'll bet there are many gunners who've done as well shooting only over decoys with retrievers in their blinds. Good dogs make the difference. Ask any grouse hunter how many birds they've lost with a dog. If you were to ask me, it's zero, zilch, none. I won't hunt without a dog. Watching a dog do what he lives to do is more than the shot to me.

Last year I was invited to join friends to hunt ducks and was surprised that there wasn't a dog among them. I didn't shoot. Three crippled woodies escaped up a small brook enclosed by alders, brambles and thorns. Their loss wasn't mentioned in later conversations about the hunt. It was disgusting. It's not sport to me. Nor would I think to you.

Regards, King. And season's greetings on this special day to you.