I'm not sure if this should go under hunting or training...  I'm looking for advice on getting Dunkan to work closer to me.  He is 15 months.  last year we hunted and he was only 6 or so months old.  he stayed closer last year then this.  i assume he is growing bolder and more confident? sometimes i use a 40' check chord, but the damn thing always gets tangled and he can still head off.  i'll often hide from him for a while until he gets scared and starts whinng... then he stay close for a while... or if he's tired.  i know it's in their nature to go, go, go... so this could take a while!

anybody have any suggestions? 

I generaly hunt thicker cover/woods.  i have noticed he goes further away on trails!  he dows know the turn command (a quick whistle and he'll look at me... usually). We hunt wild birds.  There is plenty of game in the area.  i hear partridge take off but don't alway see them.  he often ranges 100 yards out.  he does constantly check in.  he has yet to run off.  unless he smells something fresh he will come back on command.  this is his second season hunting.  i'd like him to venture no further then 50 yards so i can see his reactions to smells and be able to get within shooting distance.  He is constantly hunting... never going out for just a run.  he doesn't even go for "just a run" around the house.  constantly hunting robins, blue jays etc... i have done away with the check chord, however hiding on him seems to work moderatly.  i have noticed when we get into some wood cock he is much, much better with his ranging.  they don't generally run, like a partridge does. 

i do realize he is very inexperiance at his age... as am i with the training part (thus all the questions)!  however we shot 20+ birds last year... and i only shot the ones he pointed up correctly, or damn close to correctly!  I suppose i should try to find some pidgeons or some other bird to assist with the training.

Well thank you for the words of encouragement!!!  He is a very good dog.  He is actually my first dog (ever), so i'm very "green" at this!  I try to read a lot  and ask even more question here!  I do understand hat it will take a while for him to develop.  He seems to understand things very quickly, so i'm sure he'll learn to stay close... or closer.  From what i hear, grouse are the toughest to hunt for a pointer or any dog (as far as upland goes).  if we're on woodcock he will hunt very close (probably because they don't run)!  i also have to break him of chasing.  once the bird busts, he's after it... unless i shoot it!  probably my fault for having bird feeders around the house!  Thanks for the guidance!  i always appreciate some good advice!