So I have had Rocket for 9 years now, Gunner Jo is 4 1/2 years old and a friend of ours had his Brit as well. NEVER once since Rocket has been a full fledged hunting dog (and Gunner Jo as well) have we ever left a bird that was shot down behind. Well today broke my streak, shot one today and three dogs could not find it. Granted it may have landed in a log pile over a 3' deep pool in the creek that coons may be able to climb into, but my dad and I both saw it drop and those dogs searched about 1/2 hour and no bird. Even i was crawling hands and knees through the brush looking for it.

It was rather disappointing but, right before that I did get into one of the biggest coveys of birds I have ever seen. So stunned by that that I just watched em fly.... then hunted singles!

Still proud of me boys as they slogged through deep creeks, mud, water and briars and never acted like it was too much for them:

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee53/Rickpierson1/Dogs%20and%20bird%20hunts/P1010637.jpg

Nice looking pups Birdhunter, wish I could have been behind them to watch them work! I feel the same way when I lose a bird as well as for my dog.

AW bless your heart and theirs.. I know how hard those pups work and what good dogs they are - I can only imagine how hard they tried to find the bird...