Mean Turkey,
Boy your story really reminds me when I got my britt 2.5 years ago. One thing I learned for sure is you should never beat the dog if you want him to come close enough for you to grab. Once you whop him hard for not coming to you will have a tough time getting close because he knows your angry. I learned this from watching my buddy train his english setter. If you are not to attached to the dog start over with a new one if you would like but I personally think that dog is way to young to give up on. I am on my second male britt and you come to realize they are act so human it is almost scary. My advice is to plann ahead and work on getting an e collar. They are great training aids and help keep your dog safe. But for now I would keep him collared and leashed as much as possible. When you do need to have him off the leash for training have a bird wing handy or a throw dummy with scent. I have yet to see a bird dog that will ever take his eyes off the bird wing. I he takes off show him the wing and I would be suprised if he didn' t come running. My dog will sit through a thunderstorm just staring at a grouse wing that is just out of reach. Good luck and hunt him hard.