Northern Bobwhite.

HOLDS, THE CLASSIC POINTING BIRD.

Outdoor Life describes the instinct plainly: the covey's natural inclination is to crouch tight and hold motionless, and they stay put until pushed too closely. Coveys average 12-15 birds and can reach 25.

SINGLES HOLD TIGHTER THAN THE COVEY.

After a flush, Nebraska Pheasants Forever notes singles hold tight for flushing and pointing dogs alike. Working singles is the second half of the hunt, and often the better half.

BUT PRESSURED BIRDS RUN.Sources disagree

Project Upland on public ground: public-land bobs are considerably wilder than private-land birds, and often run rather than get pinned by the first dog that catches scent. Managed and private birds hold; public and pressured birds run.

THE BIRD ACTIVELY HIDES ITS SCENT.

Outdoor Life describes a downed single burrowing under grass and compressing its feathers to hold in what body scent remains. Dry and windy makes it worse, Project Upland notes such conditions make scenting difficult and birds more likely to run than fly. Cold and dry is hard too: frozen ground holds little scent, so a dog works slower and closer.

LATE SEASON DEMANDS A LONGER POINT.

Northwoods: bobwhites let a dog get closer than grouse do, but they get touchy in January and February about the dog's approach, a good dog points from a distance.

RETRIEVE: EASY BIRD, HARD TO FIND.Sources thin

Small, superbly camouflaged, often down in thick cover. The nose does the work.

Transition zones, native warm-season grass against brushy edges, weedy fence rows, plum thickets, broomsedge near grain. Coveys range across several hundred acres over a season, so yesterday's covey may not be in yesterday's thicket. Calm cool days improve scenting and bird movement.