When I first started bird hunting had the same results as your having. Even had a hard time shooting clays. Gun didn't matter, found out I was left eye dominant while shooting right-handed. Went to range switched to left-handed, and started to hit the clays, 50 years later still shooting...
Good for you, Haymaker your 1 of the guys that makes South Dakota a great place to visit and hunt pheasants. My favorite place to go see the landscape run the dog make memories and keep Remmington in business
Went to a Honda Pilot last year, also 1 dog guy, was driving a jeep grand cherokee. The jeep drove a little better on the highway, but the pilot has more room for the dog, gun etc.
Several years ago buddy and I hunted the Blue Blanket and Waltz Bay Corp areas. It gets hit hard, quite a few birds but they get educated fast, very hard to get close to em, and every yr water levels vary.
My 6 yr old springer has developed arthritis in his right hind leg in the ankle area. This year it seems to be swelling much more than in the past after an hour of running (non hunting), and limping around some later in the day (up and down stairs). Last yr while hunting I give him a deramaxx...