Tall Grass

[Rugergundog]

There are so many variables to consider here its damn near impossible to nail it down (IMHO).

. Experience of the dog
. Scenting conditions such as wind, temp, moisture
. Bird planting, did they boogie, did the person planting have gloves on.
. Was the dog having a "on" day or a "off" day

Not paying for a hunt because your dog didn't find the birds.....yea try telling a preserve owner that one! Ive seen a few dogs that couldn't find a bird on a golf course, can't blame that on the business owner.

[francismcgee]

Yep, I have to agree with Ruger 100%.

I think there may be a few instances that a preserve owner doesn't plant birds correctly (or at all) but I would like to think those are few and far between.

I would be much more inclined to thinking the variables (wind, experience, habitat, etc) are the culprit for the lack of flushes. I would have an extremely hard time not paying for a hunt. It would be nearly impossible to prove that the preserve owner did not plant birds, therefore you have little leg to stand on. Now, as Bingo mentioned, if the habitat is not to your liking (not fun to hunt) don't go back to that preserve!

[fulldraw]

I have a 11 mnth old Lab and she did OK in the tall grass a couple of weeks ago when I took to a preserve. She found (2) pheasants in the the tall grass out a total of 5 birds that were planted in there. Right now she does better in shorter grass and pucker brush. I am sure she will get better with time and the more birds she gets on the better.