Mississippi Upland Hunting Dogs: Big Bug

Every great bird dog has a story, and Bug’s story starts right here in South Mississippi. Born in the Piney Woods and raised around bird dogs and hunting, Bug developed a love for birds at an early age. Before he was even six months old, he was already tagging along on preserve hunts, learning the rhythm of the field, picking up scent, and beginning to understand the job of a true bird dog. He caught on quickly, and once everything clicked, Bug turned into a bird-hunting machine.

Today, at four years old, Bug has already guided hunters for four full seasons at Mississippi Upland. He is an American Brittany with a methodical, medium-range hunting pattern that makes him enjoyable to hunt behind. Bug covers ground efficiently without getting too far from the hunters. He stays in the game, works the cover thoroughly, and maintains a comfortable pace that makes him a great fit for both first-time upland hunters and experienced wingshooters.

One of Bug’s greatest strengths is his nose. He has learned to work scent patiently and methodically rather than simply racing through the field. When he gets birdy, it is a lot of fun to watch him put the pieces together. That careful work often ends with a solid point and an exciting opportunity for the hunters following behind him.

Bug is also a strong and dependable retriever. In fact, sometimes his hunt is not over even when he already has a bird in his mouth. Bug has been known to retrieve a downed bird and, on his way back to the hunter, catch the scent of another bird and lock down on point with the retrieve still in his mouth. That kind of bird sense, natural instinct, and desire is something you simply cannot manufacture.

While Bug has spent much of his life guiding preserve quail hunts in South Mississippi, his hunting experience extends well beyond the preserve. Each year, Bug travels to Kansas for wild-bird hunting, where he gets the opportunity to work different terrain, conditions, and wild birds. Those trips have helped make him an experienced and adaptable hunting dog.

Back home in Mississippi, Bug also enjoys hunting woodcock in the local National Forest. Working thick woodcock cover requires patience, a good nose, and a dog willing to carefully pick apart habitat—all qualities that suit Bug well.

But if Bug could choose just one bird to hunt, there is little doubt about his favorite: the bobwhite quail. Nothing seems to light him up quite like finding and pointing a covey of quail in the South Mississippi countryside.

For all of his focus in the field, Bug has plenty of personality around the kennel. He has affectionately earned the nickname “Pepé Le Pew” because he is quite the charmer when it comes to the lady dogs. He may enjoy showing off around the kennel, but when the tailgate drops and it is time to hunt, Bug knows exactly why he is there.

Bug represents so much of what we enjoy about hunting behind a good American Brittany: natural bird ability, a great nose, a dependable retrieve, a comfortable hunting range, and a genuine desire to find birds.

Whether you are experiencing your first upland hunt or have spent a lifetime following bird dogs through the field, Bug is a dog you can enjoy hunting behind.

Come hunt with Bug at Mississippi Upland and watch this South Mississippi bird dog do what he loves most.