A male friend that likes to shop and go to plays and likes to knit so she won’t miss me when i’m fishin’ !!!!!!!

If you can afford to use the bismuth or heavyshot, they are far superior to steel. If you are going with steel, I would stay away from winchester, they hollow out the pellets and though they have the same size as any other manufacturer, they lose energy much faster.Cut one open and see for yourself, they have a little hole in the pellets and are hollow.I have had good luck with 2 and 3 steel for pheasants and waterfowl with federal or remington. Good luck!

yOUR SITUATION IS PERFECT FOR A SHOCK COLLAR AS LONG AS YOU DO IT CORRECTLY. i HAVE A LAB THAT GETS “LAZY” WITH COMMANDS AND i USE THE COLLAR TO REMIND HIM TO RESPOND ON THE FIRST COMMAND. i HAVE HAD ALOT OF SUCCESS WITH THE VIBRATION MODE AND WILL WORK WITH HIM BEFORE i GO HUNTING SO i HAVE HIS UNDIVIDED ATTENTION. iF HE DOESNT RESPOND TO THE VIBRATION IMMEDIATELY , i WILL GIVE HIM A MILD JOLT TO SAY, HEY LISTEN UP. wORKS GREAT, BUT ALWAYS REINFORCE AND BE CONSISTENT.i HAVE AN INEXPENSIVE DOGTRA AND IT FITS THE BILL WELL. GOOD LUCK, AND GOOD HUNTIN’!!

Hi Mike,
Obviously I am biased to labs as you can tell from my user name. For a dog for both upland and waterfowl it would be hard to argue the lab is the perfect choice. There are other upland dogs that may be more suitable just for pheasant and or grouse such as a hard working springer, or german wire hair as well as many others. Likewise most would agree it is hard to beat a chesapeake for waterfowl, but a lab is in my opinion, the most versatile and a wonderful companion dog. I got my lab from a kid out in granite falls for $100.00 with papers and I wouldnt sell him for 100 times that amount he is perfect for me and I pheasant hunt and duck hunt. I wouldn’t set a time parameter to get your dog rather than just watch the want adds and also check your local humane society and the internet. Often times you will come across breeders with a pup left or a family who decided a dog doesnt fit their lifestyle etc. Just check the pedigree and if possible check to see if they have a retrieving tendency, they get it early. Take your time and good luck and even though I am partial to labs, there are alot of great breeds out there. Good luck and do your homework. BLACKDAWG1