96 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



A dog broken on ruffed grouse is better for that par- 

 ticular game bird, and an old dog better than a young 

 one. If the sijortsman can own but one dog, whose time 

 afield will be equally divided between ruffed grouse and 

 quail, I would suggest his being broken on the former 

 bird, unless the hunting be done on horseback, or the 

 puppy be a descendant of potterers. 



It being the fashion at present to raise fast, wide-rang- 

 ing dogs, it will be found easier to restrain this instinct 

 in the pupjpy than after it has been sanctioned a season 

 or two upon the quail-field. The disposition of the high- 

 strung dog to range just behind the border of his limit is 

 never quite eliminated by early work on ruffed grouse, 

 and is only checked by frequent practice under a master 

 hand. 



As Nature asserts herself when untrammeled, so vsdll a 

 temporary " grouse potterer " soon range wide enough 

 when transferred to the more open domain of Bob White. 

 In many parts of our country, however, this dog-break- 

 ing on ruffed grouse is a tedious and expensive task; 

 but if BoNASA is our favorite game bird, and we hunt it 

 more than any other, the time given to the dog' s educa- 

 tion is an investment that will eventually bring us many 

 happy hours, and a companion capable of sympathizing 

 with us in our sorrowful moments, and worthy of sharing 

 the joy of our happiest days in the woods. 



Never begin the work, though, unless you have ample 

 time and patience, or money to i^ay for its being well 

 done; for of all the exasperating and comfort-destroying 

 things which come to the sportsman afield, none equals 

 the torture brought by the crazy antics of a half -broken 

 dog. The initial lessons may be given on young birds, 

 which lie better; but if this course be too long followed, 

 many old birds will be flushed ere the dog learns that 

 safety lies in stopping the instant a bird is scented. 



