There is a lot you can still do with your dog. I think everyone with a gun dogwill agree that the training never stops. Outside of the hunting season we all spend considerable time reinforcing thebasics, and doing yard work. It sounds to me like your dog has plenty of drive, and enthusiasm on the birds, so don't worry about having had a slow season. Work on basic obedience with the dog. This will reinforce your position of dominance over the dog. The dog won't forget how to point.

As far as the possibility of the dog catching birds; teach himto "whoa". Train him to stop, and stay standing where ever he is, when ever you say "whoa" until you release him with another command. I use "okay" to release my dog. This puts you in charge both in a hunting situation and outside of hunting. Working on "whoa" outside of the season is a great yard exercise. Once he is whoaing on command start adding distractions. Kick around in front of him, toss in a teathered pigeon, whatever. Also, increase the length of time you keep him whoaed. I think you will see this is a valuable command.

For the retrieving problem you mentioned, there are a few options I see, and I really don't know which would be the best. You could force break him to retrieve. It's a long, slow process, but insures reliable retrieving if done correctly. You could also sacrifice a few birds. By that I mean, the dog might get bored with holding the bird if you act like his having the bird is no big deal. Soon he might bring it to you to see it at which time you could carefully take it away from him. The problem here is that he might never get bored with them, or really enjoy eating them. Also, you could wait another season. My buddies Setter wouldn't retrieve until he was 3 or 4, then one day he realized we wanted the bird and brought it to us.

Anyway, one thing always leads to the next. I'd say do the yard work and whoa training, and see what developes next. Good luck