Written By: Zach Miller
"Gundogs can be some of the most resilient breeds in the dog world. Their unique characteristics and body features make them the ideal breeds for working in difficult climates and environments. They are truly the workhorse of the dog breed world."
Duck hunting can be a thrilling and exciting experience for both you and your gundog companion. However, it is important to keep in mind that the cold weather can be harsh on your dog. As a responsible gundog owner, it is your duty to ensure that your gundog stays warm and stable during the hunting trip. When preparing for a colder late-season hunt, ensure the dog will be able to work in the conditions first. There is nothing more devastating than a hard charging gundog diving head first off an ice block and not coming back up. Here are some tips on how to keep your duck dog warm during duck hunting endeavors.
1. Invest In A Good Quality Dog Vest
A dog vest is an essential item to keep your duck dog warm during hunting. It is important to invest in a good quality jacket that is waterproof and insulated if possible to get your hands on one of this type. The vest should cover your dog's chest, back, and stomach to provide maximum warmth and protection on those rougher retrieves. Make sure that the jacket fits your dog properly and is not too tight or too loose. If you have not, check out our other article, “Top5 Dog Vests For Duck Hunting” after you read this one! A quality dog vest should be fitted to your dog, they will eventually stretch out but we want to ensure the vest is fitted and not so loose. If the vest is too loose, we will create drag and slow our dog down, accompany this with freezing cold water, you have a recipe for disaster.
2. Have The Proper Gear
When we look at duck hunting, most groups of hunters have certain roles, even if they are not spoken pre-hunt, read the room and understand you may be filling one of those roles. Naturally, if you have a hunt-worthy dog, you take the role of the dog handler. You will be preparing gear not only for yourself, but the dog you are handling. Key items I always have in my bag for my gundogs are; microfiber towel (possibly 2), rubber mat, (we’ll dive into that next), first aid kit, extra water and a small bumper. Among other small things, these items are my big-ticket items when packing for a cold-climate hunt. We cannot stress how hopeless one feels when something shuts down your gundog mid-hunt and you have no way of getting them what they need due to poor planning. If you think you will need it, BRING IT!
3. Keep Your Gundog Dry
Gundog, duck dog, water dog, the names are many but the fact remains, your dog is going to get wet when retrieving fallen waterfowl. Wet fur can make your duck dog feel cold and uncomfortable. Make sure to dry your dog thoroughly after each hunt. Use a towel or a portable heater (if available) to remove any moisture from your dog's coat. If the reader does not know, a labrador retriever has two coats, their undercoat which is a waterproof layer and the outer coat that we see everyday, this is a moisture wicking and insulating barrier. Next time you give your lab a bath, with a flat palm, run it down his/her back and watch how smooth the water slides right off their coat.
As we discussed in the previous paragraph, I like to keep one or two towels in my pack. I make sure they are microfiber because I can fit more of them in my bag and I can easily dry them out after wiping. After every (single) retrieve, I will dry my dog down, obviously if there are more birds on the water, get that pup back in there and dry after they are all in the blind. In most cases, proper drying will be all parts of the coat, to include under the vest as water will still get beneath the vest. In reality, treat this realistically, if birds are coming in, you can hold off on drying the dog. If I have the opportunity, I will wring out my towel and hang it to dry for the next round.
4. Proper Positioning
Right out of the gate, if you haven't read our article on, “Proper Positioning Of A Gundog During A Duck Hunt”, go check it out after finishing this! Proper positioning of your gundog is critical when it comes to fulfilling the role of the dog handler in your hunting group. I am always looking for the most advantageous spot for my gundog to be where he/she can get the best viewpoint without sacrificing getting spotted. When it comes to cold, late season hunts, we have to take into account what the dog is sitting on. In warmer climate hunts, it isn’t the end of the world if the dog is standing in some water, when the water has ice on it, time is against us. If you remember in topic #2, I mentioned a rubber mat, this is where it comes into play, I keep a small rubber gym mat (the ones with holes) and I always place that down on top of some brush. You always want an insulating layer to keep the ground from sucking the heat from your dog, and a draining layer, in this case the rubber mat.
If we have the luxury of hunting from a pit blind or a shore-blind, of course provide the dog with the best position to exit and enter the blind. If there is a portable heater someone brought, try your best to politely put your dog near it, this will help in regulating body temperature. On the topic of manners, your dog is going to shake, this is their way of drying after coming out of the water, do your best to not get your fellow hunters wet in the process. While it does add to the experience, this gets old after the 8th or 9th time.
5. Keep Your Gundog Active
Keeping your duck dog active can help generate body heat and keep it warm. Take breaks during the hunt and play some games with your dog. You can also bring some toys for your dog to play with during the downtime. As crazy as this sounds, there is a method to the madness. As waterfowl hunters, we know that you sometimes have 10 minutes of craziness and then 4 hours of lull in a hunt. Your dog will get stiff, especially if they were in the cold water and then help on a treestand for a few hours with no movement. One of the most unknown factors professional athletes talk about is how critical stretching and staying loose is pre/post games. This not only keeps you prepared but also prevents injuries. Don’t be afraid to use that small bumper from your gear to throw some basic retrieves. Again, I like to keep manners in check and I always ask the group if they are okay with me giving the dog a few retrieves.
In conclusion, keeping your duck dog warm during hunting is essential for its health and well-being. By following these tips, you can ensure that your furry companion stays warm and comfortable during the hunting trip. Remember to always keep an eye on your dog and monitor its behavior for any signs of discomfort or illness. Happy hunting and stay resourceful!
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