by Keith Schopp, Purina
Out along the edges
Always where I burn to be
The further on the edge
The hotter the intensity
Lyrics from “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins
Hunting dogs cover hundreds of miles every year searching for birds. A lot of those miles are logged on the edge — navigating rugged terrain in extreme conditions with danger lurking. Call it the “danger zone.” As you and your faithful companion venture forth this season, it pays to be aware of places and scenarios that can pose potentially life-threatening danger. Here’s a random list of 10 dangerous places or situations that could pose trouble for your hunting dog.
Freshly Frozen Potholes
A good friend of mine went to South Dakota for an early winter pheasant hunt with two dogs. He returned to Illinois with one dog. Tragically, one of his English setters ventured onto a pothole, fell through the ice and drowned. There’s not a lot one can do to save a dog in this situation. The best course is to try to keep a close watch and an even closer dog. Call them back and keep them off the ice when you can. If ice is just forming or “iffy,” best to avoid the water and concentrate on dry ground.
This Bites
We’re talking everything from rattlesnakes and copperheads to ticks, mosquitoes, ground wasps and hornets. Think ahead. If you’re hunting in snake country, it’s wise to consult your veterinarian about antivenom and other potentially lifesaving options. Consider snakeproofing your dog.
Turning to biting insects and parasites, tick-borne diseases are common, and when undetected can end the hunting season or even kill a dog. Again, consult your veterinarian for information about topical tick repellent. Check your dog daily. And make sure your dog is up to date on heartworm medication.
Ground wasps, bees and other stinging insects can cause allergic reactions that can kill a dog. Carry some Benadryl in your vehicle and in your hunting vest first aid kit and seek veterinary attention.
A Hot Truck With Poor Ventilation
Unfortunately, heat kills hundreds of hunting dogs every year. Losing a dog to heat stroke or heat exhaustion is a tragic accident. It takes only a few minutes for temperatures to build to the danger zone — a situation that’s only magnified if multiple dogs are in the same space, or if a hot dog’s added to the equation. Don’t put a hot dog in a confined space. Don’t keep a dog in a kennel or truck without ample water and some sort of ventilation or air flow. Park in a shaded area if you can. Use a battery-operated fan and a thermometer to test the temp.
In extreme temperatures, buy some blocks of ice to help cool the kennel or crate. This isn’t to judge or shame anyone who’s accidentally lost a dog to heat. This is to take precautions and perhaps save just one dog in the future.
Mean Seeds
Grass awns kill a lot of dogs every year. Lucky dogs survive, thanks to owners who can spot symptoms and consequently spend thousands of dollars on emergency surgery and veterinary care to remove these barbed grasses, which are also known as “mean seeds.” Go to MeanSeeds.com to learn about this danger that lurks in fields across the United States. Know how to identify grass awns and avoid fields or areas where mean seeds are found.
Beaver Dams on Opening Day of Trapping Season
Large Conibear traps — especially sets for beavers and other large furbearers — can quickly kill a dog. The best course is to try to avoid likely trapping areas in the first place. Trappers have a right to trap, just as you’ve a right to hunt with your dog. Carry a strong cord and wire ties and do research to learn how to remove a dog from a trap before you need to remove a dog from a trap. Know state regulations for trapping, And avoid beaver dams on opening day of trapping season.
Hunting With an Unsafe or Inexperienced Hunter
You owe it to your dog — and yourself — to make sure your hunting partners are safe and have proper hunter safety training. Ask if they’ve hunted over dogs. Share your expectations in advance.
It’s important to discuss how to carry a gun when a dog is on the ground. Guns up when dogs are down! These lessons need to be learned and understood before the hunt begins. And yes, this can be communicated in a positive way. In the case of a hunter who repeatedly breaks the safety rules or is unsafe around dogs — they should promptly be excused from the field.
Last Out, First In
Hot and tired dogs returning to the truck after a big hunt often find shade and a cool spot under the vehicle. Noted trainer Tom Dokken has a good rule: Dogs should be the last things out of the truck to start a hunt, and the first things back in the truck to end a hunt. Abiding by that rule will practically eliminate the chances of accidentally backing over a dog. And while we’re talking about dogs and vehicles, don’t let your dog ride loose in the back of a pickup truck. A dog’s much safer in a quality kennel and less apt to become a projectile.
Food and Water
Dogs that are hot and panting heavily should be allowed to rest and cool down before feeding and excessive drinking. Provide water, of course, but limit consumption, especially with a dog intent on gulping the whole bowl. For peace of mind, check on your dog frequently after a bout of exercise and consumption of water and food. If you see signs of bloat, get your dog to the veterinarian immediately. If your dog tends to inhale his or her food, consider using a slow-eater bowl.
The Better They are, The Harder They Fall
A good dog’s nose and genetics will take it where the birds are — no matter where the birds are. Pay special attention when hunting at higher elevations or alongside cliffs, bluffs or steep riverbanks. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable about the situation, keep a handle on the dog or heel it away from potential danger. Likewise, hard-charging dogs in the grouse woods can be impaled on stabs and fallen trees. Consider using a vest/skid plate.
Manmade Toxins
When hunting around farmsteads, barns or abandoned vehicles, keep tabs on your hunting dog and be alert for dangers like antifreeze, rat poison, tainted water and other hazards that could be ingested.
Last Word
Hunting with our dogs brings a ton of joy, along with inherent dangers while living on the edge. Have a plan when you encounter or enter any of these danger zones. Keep the nearest veterinarian on speed dial. Or at least know where to go and how to get there. There’s a fine line between being too cautious and being too callous. All we can do is the best we can do for our four-legged friends.
