As we stare down the barrel of the 2019 upland bird season, thoughts of long days in the field following our favorite hunting partner come to mind. Right now my time is spent working dogs on wild birds and getting them acclimated to the ground and temperature as well as in the physical condition required to start an upland season. I like to wait until August to run dogs on wild birds, making sure the birds are plenty old enough to escape the vigorous drive of a dog wanting to capture its prey.