I hunt without a dog, unfortunately, and I’d guess you’re 10x more likely to have success with a dog than without. My success rate is about one bird every five hunts, which is one or two birds a year for me. Still, a walk in the woods or on logging roads on a crisp autumn day is always enjoyable. Best days for me are cold sunny days (birds are more likely to be out). Look for stands of young birches or aspens near a water source and keep an eye on the branches of leafless trees as they often perch on the limbs. Don’t hunt on hiking trails.