ORIGINAL: Phil from Maine
Depends on what you want as, mine will go big if I allow them. In most cases here I will keep them close as the woods I hunt them in is thick. At times I will take tham out on a pipeline here and just let them go. Then they are running out ahead around 200 to 300 hundred yards. When hunting in thick cover they are near 35 to 50 yards ahead. They appear to know the difference on what I want them to do. Occasionally I will let them run out around a100 yards ahead in this thick stuff if I am having trouble locating birds.
phil, sadly here in pa if your dog is out 100 yds or more, he will get shot for coyote..
my lab was only about 40 yards out in front of me in thick clearcuts,usually i want him about 20 to 30 yards in front of me..
grouse ran so he went on trail and i stood still..
i heard truck come up road next to me and BANG..
boy, was my heart pumping, i ran to truck and he floored gas and left..
my dog was alright..
grouse hunters are shooting out windows at grouse,deer, turkeys COYOTES..
that was close one..i even have a 3 inch bright flouresnt collar on my lab butthey dont look...
sad what is happening on stateforestland now....