Summer training in the heat is a variable in and of itself, but the cooler temperatures of late fall and early winter have their own challenges—and the gun dog handler must be aware that the dangers of cold are just as real as the dangers of heat.

Pushing Dogs Too Hard in the Cold

In more northern climates, hunting seasons start early, typically in September. During the early fall, weather and conditions can fluctuate quite a bit. It is not uncommon in New York to see September days that push 80 degrees. As the season progresses and the dogs become acclimated to running hard in the field, the weather generally cools, which enables handlers to run their dogs a bit longer and a bit harder than in the first days of the season. By the time late season rolls around, and by the time the snow flies in the north, dogs are typically very well-conditioned and acclimated to long days in the field. They have a degree of fitness unattainable during summer training, and they are typically hunting at their best.

Because late season promises some of the best dog work of the year, it is a tempting time to push dogs and hunters alike to get the most out of each day afield. The problem is that the conditions that also arrive with late season can be very taxing, if not downright perilous, to the health of a dog. Cooler temps, wet/frosty mornings, snow, and ice all contribute to an environment that is hell bent on sucking calories and heat out of a dog, particularly a dog that is working exceptionally hard. Late-season environmental obstacles must be attended to by the handler, as the dog (particularly the fit dog in the peak of his conditioning) may not have the wherewithal to recognize when his body can no longer outpace the demands of the environment he is hunting in.

Dangers of Cold Temps and Icy Water

The biggest threat to gun dogs is a combination of cold or cool temps and moisture. Even a 50-degree November day that feels downright pleasant to a hunter can be life-threatening to a dog under certain circumstances. Remember, many upland gun dogs do not have the same coat or body mass that a Labrador does and their fur will not shed water as readily. For some breeds, such as spaniels, their stature may also put them in steady contact with dew, frost, or clinging snow in the field. Imagine working in cool temperatures wearing a soaked sweatshirt—the metabolizing body will be fighting the environment and that cool clinging garment that wants to sap energy away by evaporation and conduction. For this reason, it is vital that a dry towel is kept in the vest and in the truck, and that the dog is routinely dried off. This is especially true when the wet dog is put up after a run and left in a crate or dog box in the cool truck. Dry that dog vigorously as he cools down and ensure that he is showing no signs of unsteadiness or weakness. In extreme cases, a “space blanket” like those used by marathon runners can be used to radiate heat back towards the overly cool body. Foremost, keep an eye on your dog in late season cool/wet, and be conservative in the length of his runs.

Protect Your Gun Dog’s Feet

Ice and snow also pose real problems for dogs in late-season hunts in a variety of ways. A crust of icy snow often forms after a snow-rain-freeze cycle, or when the surface layer of snow melts on a sunny day only to freeze again at night. This crust can be quite hard and sharp and can do significant damage to a dog’s pads and feet. Keep close tabs on the welfare of the pads while hunting in crusty snow and attend quickly to any injuries on those sensitive pads. Conversely, soft, wet snow arrives with its own set of challenges. Wet snow will cling to the hair between a long-haired dog’s pads forming a hard ball of packed snow or ice. This ball is uncomfortable underfoot and can be quite hard to remove. The best solution for this issue is prevention: As snowy weather approaches, trim the excess hair from between your gun dog’s pads. With nothing for the snow to cling to, there is reduced likelihood that the snowballs will form.

Gun Dogs and Thin Ice

Ice is a significant consideration for both hunters and their gun dogs. My native upstate New York is home to many streams, rivers, and ponds, and these are frequent features of the landscapes where I have hunted and guided for birds. Rivers and streams regularly freeze over, but often not entirely. This ice on rivers, or even open patches of water surrounded by ice, are terrifically dangerous. A dog in moving water, or a dog that falls through ice that covers moving water, can be pulled under the sheet of ice by the current. This horrific scenario has played out more often than I’d care to admit, but it remains vital that a dog be handled away from such dangers. Keep a ranging dog in eyesight and whistle-shot when venturing near frozen water of any kind. Moreover, thin ice on still water bears a high degree of danger too. Waterfowl use, springs, unseen currents, etc. all contribute to weak spots in surface ice, and a dog that goes through the ice can have real difficulty getting back out. Panic and cold are a terrible energy suck, and a dog in icy water needs immediate attention. Rescuing a dog on thin ice, however, is perilous for the rescuer too. The best opportunity is to keep the dog off the ice entirely unless you are absolutely sure of its safety. Fortunately, few birds are found sitting on frozen water.

Post-Hunt Fueling for Bird Dogs

The last note I’ll offer on late-season hunting is to consider the miraculous machine that is your dog’s metabolism. Mammals have an incredible ability to thermoregulate, but the internal furnace that heats the body must have sufficient fuel. With that, remember that as the season progresses, the dog’s fitness and activity increase, and the weather gets cooler. These combined demands require that a dog have slightly greater food intake than in summer training. Experiment with your dog’s food requirements and don’t shy away from supplementation. These athletes are competing not only with themselves but with conditions too. It is the owner/handler’s job to ensure that they have all the best tools in their toolbox.

In short, late-season hunting is great. The days get cool, scenting conditions are often perfect, and the cover gets knocked down sufficiently to be navigable for dogs and hunters alike. The birds in late season are cagey, full-feathered, and as conditioned as they are likely to get all season. Despite all of these attributes of late season to consider, it is vital to keep an eye on your gun dog’s health and welfare. Keep your dog dry and warm, fit and fed, and don’t let him get close to the real-life dangers of thin ice. Keep these simple rules top-of-mind and you will be able to get out there and make a great late season a reality, for you and for your dog.