Bird Dog Hazards
While Kansas, Iowa and Missouri have few bird dog hazards there are some that should serve only as reminders to most.
This dog did not have the feet or tail for all day, week long hunts. Our land is big, full daylight hunting available and the cover can be thick.
One of those winters with crusted snow.
This bird hunter shared these pictures recognizing fully he did not prepare his dog as well as he should have for the rigors of a long hunt and knows there would be some criticism of his inaction. His intent is to illustrated the need for pre planning to remind himself and that others may be well prepared themselves.
Bird hunters that spend weekends crossing small fields and frequently only on Saturday, have dogs that will quickly become tender foot early on a mid-west hunt.
The best descriptor of the contrast between small filed day hunts and mid-west upland bird hunts given to us by such a hunter was that back in North Carolina they hunt the entire field, out here they rarely cover the entire field. The point is the fields out our way give 2 to 6 hours of hunt versus the hour or less in some states. The result is that your four legged partner may get more run then they have the feet for. Having a supply of spray on skin, gauze pad, leg wrap and boots will go a long way to ensure a hunt does not end prematurely.
Northern state grouse hunters characterize mid-west habitat differently with the expression it is the first time they have been able to see their dog work rather than hearing the bell through the trees. They too recognize that weekend early season hunts help, but may not prepare a dog for all day, week long hunts.