lab quartering

[wildwings]

after 2 weekends into pheasant season, I'm looking for a bit of advice. My 2 year old lab quarters well, stays close, and has a great nose. Here is my problem. I hunt CRP ground, which has grass about knee to waist high. My dog will raise his head above the grass, get scent of a bird, and then start heading out in that direction. He will wait for me when he gets out in front very far. Usually there is a bird at the end of the chase, which sometime is 1/4 mile or more. I know the pheasants run out ahead alot, but am I working the dog correctly? DO I let him lead me, or make him quarter in front of me, even if he has a faint scent of a bird somewhere else? Unfortunately, it's been windy and dry this year so the scent has been hard for him to stay locked on.