I would agree that you may very well do better without a dog many times. It overlooks an important point though. I got my first bird dog about 5 years ago and at that time I never would have thought I would acquire this attitude. I frankly am not much interested in hunting birds without my dog even if I could do considerably better without him. In fact, even on birds like pheasants, there are days when I definitely would do better without him. Most of the time, however, I do much better because of him. Most of my pleasure now is watching him work, especially watching him figure out how to work a new species or new type of terrain. I didn't used to think that way and I really don't care as much about shooting over other peoples dogs. I probably wouldn't turn down an opportunity to hunt grouse without a dog but it really isn't the same sport.