The 2003 pheasant season
started off with the high
est bird count South Dakota game officials say in forty years.
Everyone, including the bird dogs, was pumped. Opening weekend
normally draws approximately 145,000 hunters. In addition, opening
weekend of October 18 and 19 also brought the hottest temperatures
for that time of year in everyone's memory with temps ranging
from the high 80's to low 90's. Unfortunately this year it was
also a weekend of heartache for many. Estimates are over 100
dogs died opening weekend with an indefinite number of heat stroke
victims who managed to survive.
Working dogs in extreme heat is not an unusual situation for
me. Our season starts every year the first part of September
on Sharptail Grouse and Prairie Chickens. The normal temperatures
at that time of year on the prairie are 80°-100°+F. It's
the period I'm getting my dogs in shape for our lodge's regular
season on pheasants. But such early season, warm weather conditions
are not limited to just South Dakota. Many ruffed grouse seasons
in the northern states and quail seasons in the southern states
all open at that same time of year. They all begin when heat
is a very real factor. So why did this opening weekend in South
Dakota cause such havoc and |
tragedy to so many dogs? This is a question
that needs to be addressed as well as addressing how to avoid
it happening in our hunting futures.
I've hunted and trained some forty years and have found that
weather is always a factor whether it's 90 degrees or 20 below
zero. You have to take into consideration the elements not only
when preparing for yourself but for your dog as well. Many variables
possibly came into play to create the dog disaster of this year
and I'll try to address some of them to hopefully eliminate their
recurrence in the future. I've hunted with clients and many different
breeds of dogs in South Dakota for twelve years in differing
weather conditions. Its part of my job to advise hunters on how
to handle the conditions but the hunter who owns the dog has
to listen.
1. Many people think that the northern plains states mean two
things: lots of birds and cold weather. (Our temperatures in
the summer can reach 110°+). The same hunter going to the
south or west expects heat, but not in South Dakota.
2. Over-estimating their dog's ability to withstand excess heat.
For every mile you walk behind your bird dog he is covering 3
to 7 times that distance. People also tend to drop their guard
when tempera |
tures level off in spring or fall and it
may seem like a very pleasant day to you. However, the temperature
at your dog's level closer to the ground is higher than the temperature
at your level and especially so in heavy cover. It can be as
much as 30° hotter where they are than what you're experiencing,
so now 90°F becomes 120°F.
3. Water, clean and cool, is a must when hunting in higher temps.
Many methods of watering in the field are available from vests
with water packs to just plain water bottles you carry in your
hunting vest or on your belt. Never rely on giving him water
only when you get back to the truck. When your dog shows signs
of needing water, stop your hunt and give him a drink in the
field! If you have to force him to hunt out he's saying "I
need a break". Let him rest. Find some shade if you can.
I personally carry bottled water with me at all times. My gun
dogs all know how to drink out of a bottle. This accomplishes
two things, you can always have a source of water with you and
it eliminates any possible bickering over who gets to drink first.
In my experience if a dog fight is going to happen, in many cases
it's at the water bowl back at the truck.
4. Know the signs that your dog gives you. This is your responsibility
and one that should be taken seriously. Heavy panting and lying
down are two that should immediately flag you that your dog needs
a break and a drink to cool down. Don't let your passion to shoot
birds destroy your dog. His limits are just that - his limits.
A lack of being in shape, his age or the elements all come into
consideration. That seven month old pup is still just a kid,
the older dog that can still get the job done but not quite like
he did a few years ago, or that dog that is in his prime are
all candidates. Remember that he's not a machine. A common |
