Late 1980s and into the 1990s I logged grouse taken, and shots fired. I hovered on either side of 50%, most years. I didn’t shoot grouse on the ground, as, the dog was there, and the simple truth was he was so good at the game I believe my ratio would have been half of what it was, without him. He retrieved birds that I hadn’t realized I had hit, many, many times. When he was young, grouse occasionally flew into a tree, and he would stand under the tree and bark at them, but, I never killed any of those birds either, because I wanted to break that habit. He grew out of it, 3-4 years in.
He got old, and another setter came into my life. She was an outstanding pheasant dog, as was dog number one, but, literally never figured out the first thing about grouse. She came along with, bumbled a bit, did retrieve the grouse I shot with or without her assistance, and, lo and behold, I got a grouse about every third or fourth shot. We concentrated on pheasants, as grouse went into a low part of the cycle right in the middle of her life, and, roosters were much easier to find.
I can’t even tell you where I am now. That is mostly due to trying to learn to shoot right handed, after 50 years of doing it left handed, I miss a lot of birds these days it seems. Current dog is just happy to be there, a good thing, first dog would have given me a lot of bad looks.
The guns back in the day were either a Darne 20 gauge with 29” barrels, choked modified and full, and a Remington model 17 with 21” barrel and an improved cylinder Stan Baker choke installed, most days. The guns could not have been more different, but, it didn’t seem to matter at the time. I think what I shoot now is more critical to success than it used to be. The gun I shoot the best is an All Weather Remington 1100 20 gauge, but, using it to hunt birds leaves me a bit cold. A lot cold, actually.

I can’t help that. Life would be a bit simpler if I could.

My reaction time is slower, my hearing is worse, and, I’m more apt to call it a day if my feet hurt, the weather changes for the worse, or I’m not seeing enough birds to stay interested. I haven’t shot a limit in a long, long time, and likely wouldn’t if I had the opportunity. A brace is enough if eating birds is mostly my responsibility.

The definition of success changed a little, along the way. It’s OK.

Best,
Ted