Wow, there is alot of arguing and very few answers to Dave's question. Dave if you want to do some bird hunting find out where the PGC stocks phesant in your area. You can get this info from their website. If you get a couple buddies together and push the stocked fields you will get some flushes. Don't be suprised if you run into other hunters doing the same thing. A dog is nice to have but not absolutely necessary. Grouse can also be hunted without a dog but I have not had much sucess at it. If you get a good group of buddies out there with you it won't even matter if you see any birds. The fun is in the hunt not the bagged game. If you want to try your hand over a dog, go to one of the many game farms and shoot some of their stocked birds. I have been to a couple and they were all good fun. Good luck.