Setters = elites? Pretty funny stuff...
I grew up with setters and still have them, although in between dogs at the moment. I'm the first generation not raised on the farm, have plenty of relatives still on the farm, was raised blue collar and proud of the old guns I carry. My first shotgun, which I still own, was a Stevens pump 12 guage, 30" barrel, full choke, that I used on pheasants around Burlington as a kid. A few friends of mine who have setters were either raised on the farm, or near a sawmill. Surely no elites.
I love my setters and I love hunting the timber doodle with them. There's just about no finer thing in life to see a good dog mopping up the doodles, holding staunch points, shooting those little, dodging buggers. I enjoy eating them, too, although a lot of people don't enjoy their liver-like flavor.
I've been seeing a decline in Woodcock populations here in NC WI for several years. A loss in habitat as tag alder stands, created in another age, go overmature and decline.
Jasper, my sister gets all cranked up at me from time to time because she misread something into what I wrote to her. It happens all the time and I usually get a kick out of her confusion, just like I did yours.
I haven't lived in Burlington since '77 and understand the pheasant hunting isn't near what it was when I was a teenager. I live north now and hunt grouse and woodcock, with an annual trip to SD if I'm lucky. You've gotta love hunting birds, no matter what species and you've gotta love hunting over a good dog, not matter the breed.
Ya'll have a great weekend! Go Packers!