Some very good recommendations already posted. I did a little pheasant hunting and quite a bit of duck hunting on ponds without a dog. I then bought a lab from a strong field trial line, primarily for duck hunting. Shis 6 y.o. now and we now primarily pheasant hunt.

To be honest, if I didn't have a dog now, I just wouldn't go. The dog is about 25% of the enjoyment I have being out there. Being out there with my son is 75% of the enjoyment. If my son wasn't in the picture, the dog would be about 95% of the enjoyment.

I'm not saying don't hunt if you don't have a dog. We all have to start somewhere. Also, don't get the dog unless you have the time, energy, finances and whatever else to raise that dog right.

Best of luck.