Seems to me to be most of us, while we enjoy taking a few birds, hunt to spend time with our dogs! I know I do. I have friends in Nebraska and have hunted with them or on their farm since 1989 except when my dog was too old to go for five years. I did not want to hurt her feelings when she was crippled up and getting old , so I stayed home. Then when I got a new dog I started going again. I think it hurt their feelings, and while I understand that, it made me realize that I hunt to watch my dog work and see her enjoyment of what she was bred to do. I can talk and visit with my friends on the phone, but I have to bring my dog to see her having the time of her life, so that is why I go and spend the money to go. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the hunt and the exercise and all, but I love the thought of watching this dog that abides by the house rules and behaves all year long, just get to have a ball for a few days doing what she loves. I nearly burst with pride in seeing our partnership come alive! I do not waste the game and eat the birds, but again I spend the money to have the fruit of that man -dog partnership become a reality.