Catch and release

I stopped by to visit a rancher yesterday and like most ranches around here, there were quail running everywhere. As we sat in the living room looking out the front window, a hawk flew past spooking about 30 quail from the front yard. My truck was parked out front with Jake and Grady inside. The back window was half way down so that the dogs could stick their head out whenever they wanted.

Most of the quail flew past my truck but two of them used my truck for cover. One flew into the bed and the second flew into the truck through the open window. The rancher and I couldn’t see the dogs but could only wonder what the dogs were thinking. There was no use in hurrying out because I was sure I would just find a pile of feathers so we just watched as the rest of the birds came out of the brush. After a couple of minutes we were surprised to see the quail come flying out from inside the truck.

After our visit, I was surprised when I opened the truck door to find Jake sleeping on the drivers seat and Grady sitting up in the back seat like nothing had happened. I found one tiny little quail feather but that was all the bird had left behind. I expected to see feathers everywhere from some type of chase but nothing.

I put their collars on and let the boys out of the truck for a hike and the chase was on. They were going to make sure every bird took flight. My question is, “are there different rules for hunting dogs in a truck from when they are outside”?