Pheasants in cold/snow

[guywhofishes]

Having a ball with Royce this year. Don't want to stop. Any tips/hints/advice? General temperature/conditions to set limits to prevent injury/harm?

thanks!!!

 

[Account Deleted]

Make sure he stays hydrated. The cold can steal moisture very fast.

 

[3Roosters]

I love hunting in the snow as well! It's a special rush to see recent bird tracks in the snow! As far as my dog goes, I make sure to bring a couple of dry towels along in my truck so I can wipe the snow off my dog before she gets back in the truck/kennel. Also be sure to flip the dog bed over if it gets wet. I prefer to have my dog in the back seat of my truck versus the box...especially during snow conditions where the dog gets wet. I know others have the preference of dog riding in kennel in back of truck box, it is just my preference to have her ride in the back seat.

 

[KDM]

If the cold temps make my nose tingle a bit, I don't take Herc out. He's breathing in a bunch more of that cold air and if my nose doesn't like it, I can't imagine what his feels like.

 

[wildeyes]

I know how you feel guywhohuntspheasants but cold is cold when it starts to get 10 and lower its ifie frostbite could be a problem never had a dog that had that problem, that I know of but why chance it. Jess get water whenever she wants it. Late in the year the birds are packed up and its hard to get close. if you have a partner and can work towards each other it works to a point but sound travels more in the cold and pheasants start to jump as soon as they hear a vech. Ice fishing man ice fishing!

 

[NDSportsman]

One word: CATTAILS:;:thumbsup

 

[Kickemup]

I work cattails this time of year. If it's cold I keep my walks to under 10 min. Plenty of birds around I find no need to walk a 1/4 section chunk at a time.

 

[Captain Ahab]

Always put dog kennel in the back seat to keep warm. Short walks if it was under 10 degrees. When he dries off, let him ride shotgun and feed him some beef jerky on the way home.

 

[SDMF]

About 0ish, Doggie/Kennel in the cab. Any colder and it's time to fish or load shells. -10F was the absolute limit for my old dog, he'd shiver and walk behind me instead of hunting. 1st walk is the easiest, make it count. Subsequent walks doggie is going to be wet from snow sticking, then that'll freeze.

 

[zoops]

I've hunted -40 windchills with my lab with no adverse effects. I'm sure many would say that's dumb but hey, he likes to hunt. Not all day but an hour or two, that's about all his owner can stand anyways. He'd certainly ride in the cab on those days but if it's above zero you're probably almost better off having them in the box during the hunt - melting and refreezing is hard on their paws. If it's a long drive home after the hunt maybe put them in the cab then.

 

[guywhofishes]

OK then.... that's easy. The dog can handle more than I can. Thumbs Up

 

[3Roosters]

Like was mentioned earlier..when its cold outside...noise travels further. Don't drive up to your area and start opening and closing truck doors, carrying on like a bus load of kids. Roosters will be long gone. They didn't stay alive this long into the season by waiting around to see what the noise and commotion is about. If possible, park a good distance from where you are going to walk. Personally, I put away my 2 and 3/4 shells and bring out the 3's for late season roosters. I know I know..that will open a can of worms for some on here. It is MY preference and I am sticking to it.
At the end of the day...have fun with your doggie! That right there is the most fun for me..whether I bag my 3 or not.

 

[johnr]

I have hunted in -10 actual temp with my dogs, they tend to hunt just fine. I, just like everyone else said, only can handle a couple hours of it myself so that is all the dog gets in too. The kennel rides in the back seat, and I pack an ice cream bucket pail full of water, pop the lid off let him drink and seal it right back up again. That of course rides in the diesel too, which when it is that cold out I leave it run the entire time anyway keeping water and everything else a nice temp.

Your poodle will be fine, and you will know if for any reason he gets too cold. Good luck, the late season birds have the nicest tails.

 

[guywhofishes]

thanks guys

Royce got an early xmas gift in the form of an e-collar last Friday night - he quickly adapted to the vibrating "please circle-back to guy so that the mystery animal quits biting your neck" hint

he totally disregarded the vibrates and nicks though when a jackrabbit bolted out - but the jackrabbit kept biting his neck harder and harder somehow and he quickly gave up on the chase

a technological miracle IMO




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crap - not sure what happened with pics... as usual

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please feel free to apply a caption to the open-beaked pheasant photo

Example:

"A poodle? Please tell my next of kin it was a brit or something even mildy formidable."

 

[Account Deleted]

I like how photogenic Royce is.

 

[svnmag]

Damn that's funny. It's like Elton John playing with Merle Haggard. He sure does like his picture took!

 

[Captain Ahab]

Rooster Caption:

"Damnit, foiled by thought a Princess was looking for me with her poodle."

 

[guywhofishes]

FYI - Royce is getting a coconut for xmas. We brought one home that we found on the beach in Mexico in October and he was in ga ga land for the few days it took him to "break in". Anybody else witnessed this?



Not sure if there was magical funk in just that one or if it's all coconuts but we're fixing to find out.

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Rooster Caption:

"Damnit, foiled by thought a Princess was looking for me with her poodle."

hey - that one's not funny at all

 

[NDSportsman]

Photo caption: "Should have been 3 roosters but guywhoirritatesmyneck missed 2!"

 

[BDub]

2008. New Years Eve. -10.