That's great you don't need an e-collar. A lot of folks who only upland hunt don't need one, because they hunt in close quarters. If you properly do your training for duck hunting or for field trials or hunt test, you will find it an indespenible item. Like when your doing the swim-by training or decheating work, the e-collar when properly used will makea much better trained dog. There are certain aspects to this game where a e-collar is very very beneficial. BUT, it's all in what game that you play. I duck hunt quite a bit, but do more field trials and a few hunt test than anything. My 2 young derby dogs that run AKC field trials, would not be where they are today if it wasn't for the collar. They don't hang there heads in training or pout. They know when they get a correction, #1) What it's for, and #2) How to get out of the pressure by doing the right thing. All of my labs (4) run with one speed, wide open on blinds and marks. They have a great time and really enjoy what they do. All of them have super great training attitudes. The collar has not bothered there desire nor made them collar shy. This is what it is intended to do. It can advance your dog to it's top capibilites when used right and make him a handling machine. There are ways to do this without the collar, but the collar is the fastest and easiest way. Good luck.