Upland bird dogs have minimal natural threats to their well being in Kansas, Missouri or Iowa. Snakes and cactus are not amongst them. Upland bird dog hazards to be concerned with are the warm temperatures of the early season, barbwire fences that are camouflaged within high prairie grass, and the honey locust thorn. Incidents adversely impacting upland bird dogs are not significant. The MAHA partner, John Wenzel, as a local, has 34 seasons running multiple dogs and total incidents over this time have not impacted any season. For those that travel to hunt with one dog the risks are not high enough to exceed normal planning considerations of dog boots and taking a copy of our local lodging listing that also lists local veterinarians. The most common injury while on an upland bird hunt for either pheasant or quail is the dog running their pads sore. Cheap dog boots are the answer. Another source of dog foot injury comes from the junk piles frequently surrounding old homesteads. Keep dogs away from all abandoned buildings is the prevention measure. Barbwire cuts the next most common injury tied with the honey locust thorn. Over the years all barbwire cuts have been stitched up and healed for a week and all is fine. We have lightly run dogs the same day as stitched up and have had variable results depending on cut location.
Thorns will pierce through pads and legs. Typically the thorn will fester out without any medical attention. Sometimes the thorn breaks off under the skin or in the pad leaving a fester track. Our worst thorn injuries have not stopped any dog from any upland bird hunt. Twice over the years thorn punctures required the wound site being opened up, cleaned and left to drain until healed. Once a thorn injury required stitches afterwards.
This region has vast crop fields. Fields are measured by the mile. Barbwire fences are far in-between and they may be run into un-expectantly. This is cut milo which is often found to be the best food source for quail. This field, as do most, has a drain or fence line that provides additional cover. For those with big running dogs that want to cover a lot of ground each hunt and keep their eyes on their dog this is the area for that type of hunting.
When To Hunt
November is a warm month and December and January colder. Our winters are mild and allow good to the best time to be in the field during the cold months as heat stress is eliminated. During a November hunt, every drainage ditch, puddle and pond means break time to cool off. All upland bird hunters need to carry water with them in the field for their dogs. Another good idea is a cooler in the back of the truck large enough to put the dog into if heat injury is suspected. The cooler with water and available ice will lower the dog's body temperature and possibly save its life. These total the member and self guided upland bird hunter feedback and first hand experience of the MAHA staff with their dogs. |
|
|
|
This is the Honey Locust tree and source of thorn injuries. The grow in areas of much sunlight, typically on the sunny side of edge cover.
Even those of us that hunt quail frequently are sometimes surprised when dogs go on point in the grass. Mixed cool and warm season grasses. 
We have the idea to make every one as informed as possible about our hunting to include enough information to make a good decision when to schedule valuable vacation days. Every hunter may hunt any season, anytime during the season as often as he may like.
