fishing getaway Be aware of potential field mishaps

Your hunting dog will work miracles for you, but it isn’t a tank, amphibious vehicle or cliff-scaling mountaineer. Take a moment to consider its safety in the area you’re pursuing birds. Be careful when hunting around cliffs and steep cut banks – one mishap can be irreversibly costly. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

SAFETY FIRST!

By Scott Haugen

Irecently made two stupid mistakes on the same day, which both of my dogs suffered for.

My duck blind – set in a rice field that flooded when two creeks overflowed – required several hours to repair.

To resecure the blind, I had to drive steel fenceposts into the ground and bind the blind to them with turnbuckles. The ends of the posts stuck up about a foot, so I covered them with dead grass and brush so the ducks wouldn’t see them. Mistake number one.

Mistake number two came when I cut several thick thistle stocks to use as cover on the blind. The cover looked great when done, but my mistake was not cutting them close enough to the ground. I left a few inches sticking up, and the moment I shot a duck in that direction, Kona, my male pudelpointer, barreled right through where I’d just cut, scraping his leg on the sharp stubs. I immediately stomped them into the ground.

Moments later, Echo, my female pudelpointer, cut the corner of the blind with all intentions of busting through the brush I used to cover the end of the metal fence posts. She hit one post full speed, putting a ½-inchwide, 4-inch-long deep abrasion on her brisket.

Fortunately, neither dog incurred a laceration requiring stitches, putting them out of commission for the season, but both were very close. We only lost four hunting days while they healed, and I learned a valuable lesson.

Actually, two.

MANY MISHAPS OUR dogs encounter on a hunt can be prevented by us, their owners. When duck ponds are

frozen, break them up so a dog can safely retrieve birds; if the ice is too thick for a dog to get through, don’t hunt there.

If hunting upland birds along unfamiliar fencelines, don’t do it until you’ve inspected every inch for loose barbed wire. A buddy failed to do this one time on a pheasant hunt, and 30some stitches later, his dog had much healing to endure.

If hunting near cliffs, where dogs might focus on flushed flocks of quail or chukar, be sure not to push them toward those sheer dropoffs. Having a dog watch a covey fly away as they run, then plunge over a cliff in pursuit does happen, so be careful.

If hunting rivers, watch for fastflowing currents that can sweep a dog away. High river levels are incredibly strong. At the same time, be mindful of downed trees and overhanging brush along river banks, both of which can trap dogs.

ON A RECENT wood duck hunt along a creek, the water was very high. If they don’t hit the water, dead wood ducks are notorious for quickly reaching thick brush. Seeing the potential for this, I removed my dog’s neoprene vest and tightened up her collar. My goal was to make sure she didn’t have any loose gear that could get caught in the tangled, twisted brush; it worked. A couple weeks ago, I dropped a pair of wigeon in the decoys. Echo retrieved one, while Kona went after the other. Echo’s bird was dead on the edge of the decoys, but Kona’s bird dove, taking him right through the middle of my decoy spread. Kona suddenly stopped, struggled and started whining, something he never does. It didn’t take me long to realize he’d gotten his legs tangled in one of my jerk cords made of heavy string. Quickly I waded out to help, but it took a couple minutes. Around the toes of one of his back feet, the string was wrapped so tight I had to cut it; thankfully I had a knife handy. It was another bonehead mistake on my part, and now I make sure my jerk cords are elevated for my dogs to swim under.

If hunting brushy thickets, watch for big tangles of briars and even poison oak. Briars can be easy for a dog to plunge into, but difficult to get out of. Poison oak doesn’t have leaves this time of year, making it hard to identify. While your dog likely won’t contract poison oak, you might if you come in contact with your dog.

MY BEST ADVICE upon the start of any hunt is to stop and think like your dog. Envision seeing the land from their perspective. Imagine having their drive, which can be so strong that they will often risk their life for a simple retrieve.

By thinking ahead, and wisely choosing paths of travel, you’ll be on your way to preventing injuries to your dog before they happen. By all means, don’t get complacent, like I did, as it can be a costly mistake for you and your canine hunting companion. CS

When hunting in icy conditions, make sure your dog can negotiate the challenges without risk of serious injury. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

Editor’s note: To watch Scott Haugen’s series of puppy training videos, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.

If hunting or working your dog along an unfamiliar, brush-covered fenceline like this, be sure there’s no loose barbed wire strewn about, as it could be disastrous for your four-legged hunting partner. (SCOTT HAUGEN)