leting them lose in the yard

I wouldnt do it, for one if they have any hunt in them they are probably going to get gone but even if they dont get gone I believe it is sending them a mixed signal, you would be telling them its OK to hang around with you. Part of what gives a hunting dog its drive is penned up aggresion, meaning when he is penned up all week when you turn him loose on Sat. he should knock the back of the woods out looking for something to get into. This is my opinion, I went to Howard Carnithan's in Mississippi to pick up a couple of pups once and noticed he lived right on the highway but all 25 of his dogs were running loose and I asked him about it, he said nah! they know what time it is when I take them to the woods. I have owned hunting dogs for over 30 years and in my circle of friends the rule of thumb was when a pup starts treeing squirrls and cats, its time to put him up! just my two cents