Review: "Hunt" by ONXMAPS iPad/iPhone App: Computers and Hunting.Finally, they caught up!

I'm 62 years old.  When I started hunting, dog's tails went straight out instead of straight up.  Leather boots, waxed cotton and wool were worn and real bird hunters had pointers and/or setters and we weren't too sure about the setters. 

Now, of course, none of that is the case.  Also, I use my iPhone and iPad and GPS as well as my BLM maps.

Typical Page in the Program

I did an article on hunting and technology and how it makes scouting and entering new areas so much easier. (See:http://www.abirdhuntersthoughts.com/2013/01/tires-and-technology.html) Now the same folks that sell GPS chips for Garmin units came up with an iPad App that has almost everything you need.  Above is a screen shot of my iPad with a random area of Montana.  I shows BLM land, Block Management land, land ownership names, roads, and even satellite view of the area. You can even download maps and still use the GPS feature of the maps while not in cell coverage.  You can measure areas or distances, share the screen via email or photo, layer on a topo map, take photos of the spot you are and add text and symbols to the maps. You can mark trucks, windmills, etc. using the on board library. Not all states are included, but many of the states I hunt are. Montana (shown above, which I will be visiting for Ruffed Grouse and Blue Grouse in September), Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, to name a few.  When you download the app, the list is on it and you just tell it which state to download the data. 

To this point, I've been buying gps chips for my Garmin ASTRO and downloading the same data directly in to my computer. At about $100 each, I was putting $300+ in to GPS info.  It was a one-time cost.  This program charges $35 for each state. for each unit (once for my iPad and once for my iPhone- total $70).  Per year. You would need to do the math and look at all the features of this new app before making a decision.  For me, I think the features of this app outweigh buying the chip. Of course, anyone that goes in to the western areas without paper maps and compass and the knowledge to use them is crazy.  NEVER rely on a cell phone or handheld GPS unit to get out alive!

**CORRECTION**
I just got a very nice email from Matt Seidel with Hunting GPS Maps.  (Apparently, other people than just my mom read this BLOG!)  One download can be used on two devices.  So, my Montana download with all the BMA, BLM and private ownership information on it can be on my iPad and iPhone, both. He nicely offered to  let me download another state to even up the payments I made.  You gotta love that customer service!  Also, the website dealing with all this is: http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/hunting-app-for-iphone-ipad.

To use this feature, one would download the App at the AppStore, then pick the state to download the data to the selected device.

Rainy Day Blues...or not.

Five Days of Rain

This is the middle of August.  In the South.  It's 60 degrees and light drizzle, flash flood watches and light breeze from the south and southwest. The bird dogs are dry and comfortable and are loving this cool air.  I wonder, sometimes, if they sense the change of the seasons and what it means for them? Today, I've already worked Cap on retrieving, stroked Mama Ruby and felt for movement of the pups (nothing yet, but 2+weeks to go) and played some with the Ace dog.  I replaced one of the pads in the Dog Den 2 houses, bought some more Royal Canin puppy starter to put on Ruby's food, and started organizing my dog first aid kit with the handy shopping list +Shawn Wayment, DVM, puts out. 

Shawn Wayment, DVM First Aid Supply List

Another annual task is the re-waxing of various Filson garments that I've had and worn for 20 years or more.  Shown is my +Filson coat.  It's torn and marked and just about perfect. This is the "technical fabric" of its day, and, to my mind, it still has a place in the bird hunter's closet today.  No brier can touch it and it is so tough and just, well, classic.  

Filson Field Trial Coat, circa 1994

Cleaning guns is on the agenda, as well.  Ahh, the smell of Hoppe's #9!  Nothing quite like it.

Where's my dog? Review: Garmin ASTRO 320 and DC-50 Collar.

The ASTRO 320 and DC-50 Combo

Let me be perfectly clear.  I love tracking collars.  I will not put a dog down, hunting, without one.  To my mind they have revolutionized bird hunting and how we work together with our dogs.  That being said, the latest from Garmin in the ASTRO series is the ASTRO 320 coupled with the DC-50 collar. 

I've been a tracking collar proponent since shortly after my national champion setter decided to take a 5 day camping trip through the oil patch in SE New Mexico about 5 years ago. I tell the tale in this BLOG earlier on and won't bore you with details, but it was then a  friend recommended the new and emerging GPS tracking gear to me. At the time, it was bulky and strapped to the dog's back and I knew it wasn't for me, but, since then, as with all things electronic, the evolution's been rapid.  Now, the handheld is super reliable and the newest collar is good to 9 miles (in flat terrain, good conditions, blah, blah). I used to think several miles was ridiculous!  Now, I know any hard charging, bird finder can occasionally get a wild hair and head out.  Nine miles?  Probably not.  But, if they are just flat out lost, nine miles may not be range enough.  My dog, Bo, was picked up 22 miles from where we put out.  The farther the capability, the better.  I even bought the extended antenna for the A320, so I can stand on top of my truck and get a hit, if I need it.  (Spare me the "My dog will never leave me!" routine.  And, I do recommend the extendable antenna option......just in case.) 

I've used the Astro 220 since its inception.  The buttons are all worn smooth and I know the unit inside and out.  The 320 is worth the upgrade.  It is easier to read (for these old eyes), it is more intuitive in its operation (for the feeble minded) and it has some neat features (like sending collar information wirelessly to another 320 and putting "birds-eye satellite imagery" on the map). I'm still learning all the features, but I did notice there are numerous YouTube videos extolling the virtues of the unit.  Just Google "Astro 320" and check them out. 

The DC-50 collar is interesting.  Garmin moved the GPS receiver back to the top of the unit. The older -30 units (of which I still use one) had the gps receiver on the top and I never had problems with loss of the gps signal.  Then the -40 unit came out (I have 2) with the gps receiver in the main housing under the dog's neck and suddenly we had gps unlock problems.  I ain't no rocket scientist, but if satellites are above us, shouldn't the receiver be as well? (I know that was a cheap shot at Garmin, but I couldn't resist.  I'm sure they have the same conflict between the engineers and the end-users that exists in most tech industries. I'm just glad they fixed it!)  Another immediately noticeable difference is the long floppy antenna.  This is what communicates to the handheld unit.  I mean, this thing flops all over the place!  Garmin says it is important to keep it away from the dog- for maximum range.  It appears to be anchored and supported at the end so as to not get broken (as I experienced in the -40. Now, I carry extra antennas in the truck).  I notice Garmin ships an extra with the unit, just in case. I'm wondering about thick grouse cover and this thing whipping around and getting caught up and creating stress fractures over time.  Stay tuned for more info on that as the hunting year progresses.  I really hope it is no problem.  

Another cool feature is the "lost mode", where the tracking automatically changes over to once every 2 minutes when the collar battery goes to  25% power remaining.  I normally keep my collars on the every 5 sec mode (and that seems inadequate, at times).  If Fido gets lost and the battery starts getting low, then the every 5 secs changes to every 2 min, thereby lengthening the life of the battery. This is not the default setting and it should be!  It only takes a second to set it up on the collar, via the handheld, but I hope they change that in the next software upgrade. 

I've heard the handheld battery life is an issue.  I put fresh, rechargeable batteries in my handheld every day when I'm hunting. Wherever I go, I recharge batteries every night and start fresh every day.  I can imagine the units are power hogs, however, and I suspect that is one of the system limitations as with most electronics. 

Bottom line: Upgrade to the ASTRO 320.  As for the DC-50, if you have the money and inclination, get it. I see no reason to lay down a $150 DC40 (or several) just to snap up a -50.  I may go to a "must buy" in the future, but I want to get a full season on the unit before I commit. 

Idaho Adventures

 A getaway or a scouting trip?  To my mind, that fine distinction is in the eye of the beholder. Six months ago, a friend of ours said we needed to do a rafting trip in Idaho to see the country and get out of the east coast malaise of August. In case you don't know, I hate August.  I have no use for a hot month, outside of bird season, full of ticks, thunderstorms and cutting grass. "This is a trip like no other!" she said. "Whatever." I replied.  We signed up, along with 30 other folks from this area.  Along the way, all but 5 hardy individuals dropped away citing school openings, weddings, deaths and dogs eating homework.  Ultimately, we boarded the Delta jet and looked ahead to seeing another part of the country- the Salmon and Snake Rivers and Hells Canyon in Idaho. 

The crew and guide above the rapids.

We arrived in McCall, ID, at one time a logging and ranching town in northwest Idaho now a welcoming, pleasant vacationing spot in the mountains.  Situated on a large lake, McCall has plenty of nice eateries, stores and even an indoor hockey arena.  For example, we ate at Romano's, an Italian restaurant on the lake.  The waitress greeted us with, "I hope you are hungry!".  The food was great and served promptly, and it complemented the incredible view across the lake to the mountains.

That evening at 8:30pm, we met our crew: +Tricia Warren, owner, guide, and river boss,  and Brad, Cori and Glen.  We were given dry bags to hold our gear and agreed to meet at 7:30 am the next morning ready for an adventure!  The company is  +North Star Expeditions based in McCall and they specialize in guided, multi-day rafting trips down the Salmon and Snake Rivers, through Hell's Canyon.  In addition, they also guide  "cast and blast" trips down the Snake River, through Hell's Canyon.

After a couple hour drive to the "put in", we loaded onto the paddle boat with Glen as our guide.  In addition, Tricia and Teresa were in another, bigger "oar boat" and Brad and Cori took an additional oar boat with all our supplies and camping paraphernalia on board.  Brad and Cori took off ahead of us in order to secure a good campsite alongside the river.  We would meet them around 5 pm. for dinner.  While we were running rapids and exploring, they were setting up camp, tents, cooking, etc. 

Preparing for the Rapids

The first day, we stopped at an archaeological dig manned by students from Oregon State University (Go Beavers!).   Then it was on to numerous Class I through Class IV rapids.  I may be wrong, but I think there may have been one Class V in there, or maybe the classification changed to a higher one during the Spring rains when the rivers are up and really flowing.

During the float, Glen and Brad kept pointing out Chukar noises along the river. Finally, I heard the little rascals!  Then, we started seeing them.  Group after group, the birds would be "chuk, chuk, chuk"ing away on the side of the hills, then come down to water.  Probably never bothered by a man or dog, they were totally unimpressed with our little armada. The guides told me about the "Cast and Blast" trips they offer in late September and early October.  They guide down the Snake River and fish and hunt Chukar and Hungarian Partridge (Huns).  Given the numbers of birds I saw, that could be a nice trip. You would take your own dog, gun, etc., but the guides can take their own dogs, as well.  I was unavailable for that time frame, but I think it might be an awesome trip!

Each evening, around 5 pm, we drifted in to the the campsite Brad and Cori prepared for us. We cleaned up, dressed in dry clothes and commenced to tell some tall tales about this event or that rapid.  Our tents (all gear supplied by North Star) were set up already and all we had to do was pick one and get in. Plenty of tall tales got told- cliff diving, water wars, archaeological sites, historical legends, etc. Then the food was brought in from the dutch ovens, River Potatoes, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, grilled steaks, grilled salmon, grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, fresh salads, etc.

Relaxing After Dinner

After 4 days and 3 nights on the Salmon and then, Snake, Rivers, we arrived at Heller Bar, take out point in Asotin, WA.  At this point, the Snake River is the boundary between Washington and Idaho.  We got out on the west bank in Washington. At one point, we were in Idaho, Oregon and Washington states, all on one trip. We saw Chukar, Bald Eagles, hawks, Big Horn Sheep and lots of Smallmouth Bass.  Salmon still run up these rivers and their numbers are on the rise, but the first run of the year was over and the second not yet started, so we missed seeing them. Plenty of wildlife!  

Would I do this trip again?  Yes.   I would pick another section of the rivers, and I may just do the Cast and Blast one year.  If this trip is any indication of the way North Star takes care of their customers, I'm 100% in favor of another trip.

Get Your Dog in Shape! He goes 10X farther than you!

Ace (B/M), ready to go! 

To my mind, the very best method to get old Buck in shape for the upcoming bird season is "roading"- a method by which a dog will run and pull on a heavy object at the same time.  The benefits to the muscles and cardiovascular system are tremendous, in a short time. Brian Lynn, at Outdoor Life Magazine, just published an excellent article about dog conditioning, in general, and roading, in particular. (Click HERE to see the article.)  

I've made a few roading videos over the years viewable on YouTube. (Click HERE to view.) 

I highly encourage you to use some form of roading in your dog's conditioning.  Off a bicycle, perhaps.  I don't have the numbers, but I would be confident saying roading is more than double the benefit of letting your dog run free. My dogs really enjoy it, which is another mystery of life.  

Family Secrets

The $200 Shotgun

The Old Ball and Chain
Her First Quail on a Covey Rise

We have a little family secret down here.  And since this is just between us, I'll share it. 

It seems that sometime in the distant past, I may, or may not, have mentioned to my wife, that although I do have several shotguns they are all inexpensive.  In fact, the story goes, none of my guns cost more than $200, so she says I told her.  While neither confirming nor denying said statement was made, I do admit I was guilty for allowing the misunderstanding to exist.  Over the years, as shotguns were acquired, I assured my lovely bride that I would never pay more for them than the usual amount.  And, so, life blissfully carried on.   Until the fateful day, in my barn, during a field trial.  It was cold and raining so several of my bird dog friends were warming themselves by the fire and talking about all things bird hunting.  BJ joined us for a bit. She usually holds her own in these meetings regaling the audience with stories of my adventures with my various dogs.  Laughter and good natured ribbing was the name of the game, with everyone chipping in to tell an anecdote about their favorite dog or hunt.  Conversation got around to shotguns and who just bought what, the various makes and models and quality thereof.  Finally, someone happened to spy the gun I'd set aside as I came in from my brace and asked if that was the old A.H.Fox and why would I use it in such bad weather.  I explained I did like to shoot the gun, and I would probably spend quite a while cleaning and oiling after the day was over.  Another friend opined that he would never allow a gun like that to get wet, and so on.  I happened to glance at my wife and noticed a puzzled look on her face.  Warning flags shot up all over (Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!).  Uh, oh!  But then, BJ smiled and announced that it was no big deal, since "..none of Randy's guns cost more than $200 anyway.".   (At this point in the tale, you could hear the wind blowing dust in the empty street and the hawk screech high overhead.)  Mouths opened, jaws dropped and men froze in place.  After a long, quiet moment....... "Absolutely! Yes! Uh huh! Yep, that's right, BJ!" was heard throughout the barn.  Then, slowly, the laughter started and I heard several of my "friends" explaining to BJ the book value of a few of my $200 guns. It was generally acknowledged that I was dog meat for the rest of the year, I would never see the Dakotas, Montana, Minnesota, Kansas, Texas, Wisconsin, or New Mexico again (or, at least, during my natural lifetime)! She laughed and enjoyed my discomfort for a while and then gracefully bowed out to head back to the house.  Always a class act, she gave me big kiss and said she needed to get going.  "It's a long drive to Atlanta, honey, and you don't mind if I do a little shopping, do you? Oh, and I promise not to get anything that costs more than $200!  Honest!"

There is a lesson here, somewhere.....

Review- Spot Tracker

So far, I've owned five of these little goodies; one given away.  A few years ago, I reviewed the unit. Since then, I've traveled thousands of miles and hunted/covered thousands of acres of land all over the USA- most out of cell coverage.  A lot of that hunting was solo, over ground I'd covered before, but it gives me a sense of security knowing I can get help if life takes an unexpected bad turn. (Click here to read the original review.)

I mentioned above that I've owned Five of the devices.  The first one was the earliest model.  I used that one until Model 2 came out, lighter and faster response.  I used that one until it fell out of the truck in a rest area in central Montana, while I was returning from my first trip to Idaho and on my way to MN for some Ruffed Grouse hunting.  Discovered missing the next day, I realized I would spend more than the cost of the unit, in diesel, to go back and retrieve it, so I bought another one at the first sporting goods store I encountered.  I bought number Four when I realized number Three was missing and the season was fast approaching.  I found number Three and gave it to another solo hunter I met in MN.  Number Four was lost in AZ in January of 2013 and Number Five just arrived via UPS.  So, if you are like me, you are wondering if perhaps they have a reverse sensor so that knuckleheads like me can find their SPOT when it is lost.  The irony was not lost on me when I called the good people at SPOT and told them the unit was lost- not me. Maybe they are developing something like Apple has in "Find my iPhone/iPad".  That would be a very nice feature!  

At any rate, while four of the five units is on me, the last lost unit was directly on SPOT.  It fell out of the carrying case that came with it and which I used, attached via carabiner to my vest. I noticed the new case was changed to prevent that from happening again, however the quality of the current case is suffering.  The snap that secures the unit separated the second time I used it and I substituted a zip tie.  While a zip tie is a good fix, I wonder how many more units will be lost when the snap fails during use and the unit falls away? 

So, I do recommend the SPOT for those that want peace of mind while hunting or in areas there is no cell coverage or as a backup to cell service.  Personally, I would NEVER use my cell phone as an emergency device.  I've seen too many of them fail.

I still rate this as a MUST HAVE- BUY IT! 

(Just don't lose it.  Buy the extra loss insurance.  Modify the carrying case and back up the snap.)

Finally! It looks like Ruby is ready!

She normally comes in around March. I know exactly, because that is the around the time we have the Georgia Championships for NSTRA. A female in heat cannot participate in a NSTRA trial, so for the last two years she's be unable to go out and have a good time at that event. This year, however, she did not start her cycle. The one year when I was set to breed her to Ace, my main dog who is 8 now, she does not even come in to season!  I was disappointed, to say the least, but I realized I had three great bird dogs and a season of hunting ahead- where's the downside to that?  We are not sure why she didn't come in, perhaps the coccidia infection from NM or AZ in January?  Vet says that could slow her up as her body fought the infection then fattened up afterwards. 

Either way, it's been 8 days since she started bleeding and it's time to introduce Ace to his girlfriend. Puppies in 60 days, my friends! 

Barbed Wire Tears Them Up!

I've encountered barbed wire practically everywhere I hunt.  Most places are along fencelines, where it belongs, but sometimes it's just sticking out of the ground, waiting to snag the loping bird dog.  I have two scars on my right leg, one from Texas and one from Nebraska, where I got hung up crossing a tight barbed wire fence.  (The one in Texas is the worst one, but Bo was pointing a large covey 100 yds. on the other side and I figured could stitch it up later.  EMT Gel works great on humans, too- that's all I'm going to say about that.)

Waiting for the Sedative

The stuff is ubiquitous.  The dogs learn to avoid.  The dogs (and hunters) get cut.  It's just part of the landscape.  Sunday, I went for my afternoon constitutional around the pastures and took Ace, my main dog. I walked and pondered while he ran and pondered.  He would get out a hundred yards or so, cut in the woods, come back out, check my position and stay up front on the trail.  I looped back to the barn a few times and one time I noticed Ace wasn't with me.  I called and whistled and got a little annoyed, since he knows better.  The time came for me to leave for church and half way there my wife called that Ace was home. "Awesome!", I thought.  "Is he OK?"  "Well, not really.  He's bleeding pretty badly out of his mouth and I don't see where the problem is." I checked him over that night and noticed some blood seepage, but figured it would stop.  The tongue has a lot of blood and bleeds like crazy, but will heal itself quickly.  The next morning, he was still bleeding.  At 0700, I was at the vet's door, and by 0720, we had him sedated and were stitching up his tongue/mouth. 

12 Stitches Later

We found fresh metal chips in the wound and near his molars.  Apparently, he hit the fence and the wire went under his tongue and got caught up and he chewed on the wire to free himself.  Finally, he did and came home, bleeding all the way.  It took 12 stitches under the tongue to re-attached the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. My vet (Kevin Barlow) said Ace was extremely lucky to have avoided puncturing one of the huge arteries supplying the tongue and bleeding out while hung in the fence.  Chilling thought.

Review: A Cooler for the Bears? Engel.

I've been hearing rumblings about these "super coolers" that keep food cold for 10 days. Right, I'm thinking, 10 days in Alaska, in the shade, in the Fall.  I did some research with my friend in the research business, Google, and discovered several coolers make the claim of keeping food cold for several days, some even up to 10 days.  Yeti, Engel, Coleman and some others are making super insulated coolers for fishing boats and camping. Yeti, from what I hear, is the benchmark of the crowd- and the most expensive.  The size shown, by Yeti, might run to $350+, depending on where you get it. 

 

I did like my kids and went to YouTube for a little investigation and found an interesting video comparing four high end coolers side by side for an "apples to apples" comparison.  At the end of the day (or week), the Engel Cooler (shown) did as well or better than any of the others.  It wasn't the cheapest, by far, but it maintained the temperature near or at the top of the rankings and was about $100 cheaper than the others.  I got it off Amazon and got free shipping, as well. 

 

 

You can see the stickers on the cooler informing you that this thing is airtight and to not put live things in it and expect them to live.  Also, it has the added benefit of being "Grizzly Bear proof", just in case you have a Grizzly Bear problem near the soccer and baseball fields where you are tailgating.  Actually, I find that to be a good thing, since I will be in bear country hunting Ruffs and Blue Grouse. 

 

I will test this one extensively this coming season and will let you know of any problems.  I'm looking forward to keeping my birds frozen for the two day ride home this year!

 

 

 

 

Awesome First Aid Kit for Dogs in the Field

Hunting & Trialing Safety, Shawn K. Wayment, DVM

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Birddog Doc’s First Aid Kit for Bird Dogs

Thanks to Shawn K. Wayment, DVM for putting this First Aid Kit together for us!
The following is a list of the things that I personally carry in my field dog first aid kit. Rarely have I needed more than what is listed below. If I needed more than this, I would pack up and head for the nearest veterinary facility. Field trial bird dogs are faced with numerous perils in the field, so it is very important to carry a field first aid kit and know a few basic bird dog first aid procedures. Another important item is to choose a family veterinarian that understands field trial dogs and the rigors that they are challenged with while in the field. Contact your veterinarian and have them help you get a good first aid kit together for your days afield.
1. Ointments: Neosporin, Silvadene Cream (for cuts and burns), triple antibiotic eye ointment, Panolog/Animax or some other topical antibiotic/hydrocortisone ointment.
2. Betadine Solution: Povodone/Iodine 1% solution mixed with H2O to weak “iced tea color” for cleaning out wounds (punctures or lacerations). I typically use a syringe and an 18 gauge needle to flush wounds. This gives enough pressure/force to clean off debris and bacteria.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide: I only carry this to induce vomiting if my dogs ingest something they should not have eaten. It also can be combined with baking soda and Ivory dish soap to aid in de-skunking your bird dog. I never use hydrogen peroxide on a wound because it is more damaging to the tissue due to free radical damage than beneficial.
4. Saline Contact Rinse/Solution: Used to clean the eyes out/rinse the eyes. Rinse the eyes from medial to lateral.
5. Clavamox (Antibiotic): A good all around antibiotic for cuts and infections, etc. 250 mg for a 40 lb dog twice daily for 7 to 10 days is a typical dosage.
6. Metronidazole (Antibiotic): Great drug for treating Giardia and general diarrhea.  The dosage is about 25 mg/kg or 500 mg per 45 lbs of dog twice daily for 8 days.  Don’t leave home without it!
7. Ear Cleaner or Wash: Any good quality one will do the job.
8. Benadryl: For allergic reactions. The dosage is 1 to 2 mg per lb of bird dog or one OTC capsule per 25 pounds every 8 to 12 hours as needed for allergic reaction.
9. EMT Gel: Or some other form of collagen gel for rapid wound healing.
10. Rimadyl or Other Dog Approved NSAID: For swelling or pain. Rimadyl is giving at 1 mg per lb twice daily as needed.
11. Syringes of Various Sizes: I like the 12 cc curved tip one for cleaning out debris from wounds. A 12 cc syringe with an 18 gauge needle can give enough force to clean out a wound. You may want some 3 cc ones as well for injectible Lidocaine (2%) if you are going to suture some wounds. Can use a plastic case from a 20 gauge syringe for tip of the tail protectors (especially for pointer/setter people).
12. Gauze or Store Bought Muzzle: To prevent from being bit by an injured dog. Learn how to make a gauze muzzle—it is easy and can prevent unnecessary harm to you.
13. Bandage Material: Vet wrap, Elastikon, Telfa pads or other non-adhesive dressings, gauze and cotton padding for support wrap. I always carry duct tape! 2 x 2 or 4 x 4 gauze is also very handy to have around.
14. Dog Boots and Athletic Padding and Zonas Tape: These also work well for wraps of the feet.
15. Lidocaine (2%) Injectible: If you are going to suture wounds.
16. Cotton Tip Applicators: Q-Tips work fine. These can be used to help remove things (grass awns, fox tails, etc) from the eyes.
17. Kaopectate: Works very well for diarrhea. I usually give 10 mL (1 mL is equivalent to 1 cc) every 6 to 8 hours to an average sized 50 lb dog.
18. Suture Material and Stapler: I use Nylon to suture most skin lacerations. A stapler is a very effective method for closing up skin gashes. I would clip the hair around the wound and flush it using a curved tip syringe or a syringe with a needle prior to stapling it.
19. NutriCal Gel: This is an excellent, quick source of calories for a working filed dog. You can order this from Drs. Foster & Smith. I always have a few tubes in my pack.
20.Proparacaine Ophthalmic Topical Eye Drops: This is for numbing the eye if you need to remove a foreign object.
21. Tuff Pad/Foot or Copper Tox: This will help cut pads and protect the feet.
22. Needle Holders: Suturing wounds.
23. Hemostats or Leatherman Tool: For quill or cactus needle removal.
24. Digital Thermometer (Normal Dog’s Temp is 100 to 102.8 degrees F).
25. A Good Dog Brush
26. Space Blanket
27. Tissue Forceps (Tweezers)
28. Matches
29. Head Lamp: or other light source.
30. A Good Dog First Aid Book: (Field Guide: Dog First Aid Emergency Care for the Hunting, Working, and Outdoor Dog, Randy Acker, DVM).
31. Caloric Dense Canned Dog Food: I always have some cans of dense calorie canned dog food or GI canned food just in case.
Here is a pdf version of this information: Field Dog First Aid Kit_Shawn K Wayment DVM
 

Hunting & Trialing Safety, Shawn K. Wayment, DVM  |  June 11, 2013

Bird Dogs in the Heat

Georgia.  Summertime.  Heat, humidity, sun, heat, fleas, ticks, humidity, heat, afternoon thunderstorms. Still air, blowing rain, double humidity.

There is nothing more pitiful than a high powered bird dog with nothing to do.  We've all (hopefully) got one in the kennel.  The one you go to when bragging rights are on the line, when you've been driving for two days and the country opens up and it's time to put the main man on the ground.  He's the MAC Daddy, the Cover Dog, the Big Dog.....and, now, he's out of a job.  It's just too hot and humid, the training birds aren't available and the pasture is grown and full of ticks!




















I still work my dogs every day.  I road them in the morning (on very hot, humid weeks, even before light) and we play and do light yard work exercises in the evening.  When I take my evening 2.5 mile walk, one of the dogs goes with me so we can practice working together.  Of course, to them the evening walk is just a boondoggle with me interrupting every so often.  I think this type of work is important to a dog- they can remember it's a team effort. 

I use the Dog Den 2 in my kennels.  With the door up and the insulation all around, the inside of the kennel stays cool.  I often enter the barn to find them in the Dog Dens with paws and heads lying on the lip.

I change the water daily in the bowl.  That will keep it clean and cool. Bacteria will grow in the water bucket and cause problems with the health of the dogs.  So, I dump and refresh the water every day, and dump and clean with bleach and refresh once per week.

On really hot days and nights, have an oscillating fan blowing over the kennel. They seem to enjoy that, as well. 

One thing I do not have is a water-mister.  With the high humidity, I've always been dubious at the efficiency of the unit.  Other kennel owners, even here in the South, swear by them.  I may take a look at what they are doing.

I guess the bottom line is to keep them occupied, cool and well-hydrated....and have opening day marked on the calendar!

Book Review: What the Dogs Taught Me, by Scott Linden

My Study

I received a copy of Scott Linden's book in the mail, from Skyhorse Publishing.  I'm a reader, and a voracious reader of bird dog books, dog books, hunting books, books about dogs hunting books...you get the picture. I was very interested in Scott's book, because my impression is he is a bird dog man and bird hunter.  I don't mean merely a man with a bird dog, Lord knows there are  plenty of those.  I mean someone who values time afield with his dog and finds more to it than killing birds.  This book reinforced that perception, big time! I read it in one day.  It took me a few more days of digesting and note taking and pondering before I could really form an opinion.  But, I finally recognized that Scott's book is a 'must buy' for new bird hunters and old, broken down traveling wingshooters, as well. I learned some stuff and a lot of what I thought I knew was validated.  For example, my third bird dog I named "Bo".  Of course, that sounds a lot like "whoa" and "go" and "over" and really is a very poor name for a bird dog.  I remember yelling "Bo", at the top of my lungs, during a training run.  All four dogs on the field came to a screeching halt! Embarrassing!  As a new bird dog man, I would have learned about that in this book and avoided the situation, altogether.

The book is divided into several sections, each valuable.  The first three deal with the dog and focus on what's between his ears.  What he wants, how he thinks and how you can communicate with him. "When discipline is applied appropriately, instruction is melded with encouragement while correction is levied with restraint and sensitivity.  I think your dog acquires a sense of "fairness"."  "An honest relationship is easier to maintain if you are consistent: same words, same tone, same expectations every time."  Truth. 

Shooting, training and hunting are addressed next and contain nuggets for new and experienced alike.  Remembering to keep structure in your dog's life and keeping you at the head of the pack is critical, "Without order, chaos reigns, and dogs don't like chaos."  How many times have I had an easy double in front of me and bagged none? "Shoot the first bird first, see it drop, mark it carefully.  Only then, and if you have time, should you contemplate a second shot."  Yep. The hunting section is chock full of valuable information.  Stuff I learned over 20+ years in the field with my dogs.  Scott has graciously written down the good stuff for the new guy.  Learning from your mistakes is good, but learning from the mistakes of others is wise! 

Scott approaches the care and feeding section head on, providing useful and accurate information on what is takes to keep Old Buck up and running for a long road trip. His information is about hydrogen peroxide is right on! His first aid tips are worth memorizing. 

Before moving to the meat of the book, I tried to navigate through Chapter 8 and the "Road to the Utility Test". I plugged through it and found plenty to like.  I'm not a utility test kind of guy, but I know many are and this section will not disappoint.

Hunting skills and tips from pros and a Q and A section are really the heart of this book.  This is the "How to Bird Hunt" section.  I enjoyed, so much, perusing the skills imparted here.  I remember when I learned how to tell the amount of daylight left by using my extended hand.  I marvelled at such a simple and accurate way to measure how long I had to get back to the truck. Scott includes that, as well. Skills hard learned by others are listed here for the novice or experienced hunter to learn: making  fire, using a map (critical!), telling time, jump start a truck, breaking up a dogfight, driving on muddy roads, cooking game, delivering the coup de grace to a game bird, and helping someone find you. If you aren't familiar with all these, don't head up that two-track. 

To summarize: Get this book.  Better yet, buy two and give the book to the new guy, too!  

Congratulations, Scott!  I know it took a lot of effort, but you have a winner.  

The Evolution of Walking Sticks.

Ace and Me and a Yucca Stick

Finished Yucca Stick

Finished Walking Stick Cholla

Walking Stick Cholla

Walking Stick Cholla

End Cap of the Walking Stick Cholla

Getting Some Help from the Pro

Click HERE to see the video.

 

Cap pointed and Terry

Click HERE to see the video.

There are times when most of us reach the end of the line in our experience.  It may be in rearing a child, problems at work, or, even, training our dogs.  I was lucky, this time, and I was stuck trying to figure out how to fix a problem Cap was exhibiting during his retrieve. Now, I know his retrieving was acceptable to most bird hunters. He would aggressively search out, find and bring back shot game birds. The problem is, he is not only a hunting dog, but a field trial dog, as well.  Therein lies the rub.  The rules say he is to go straight line to the bird, pick it up quickly, and return quickly, straight line to deposit the bird in hand.  Any deviation will result in points deducted.  You can see that what is commonly accepted as "OK" quickly becomes "points off", if you want to play this particular game with your dog (NSTRA).  Cap (my fault) never got over the "let's play" part of retrieving.  It wasn't corrected in a timely manner (my fault) and became a problem for him (and me) in trials.  After the season, I RAN to the best Pro around and begged to have him "fix" Cap. He did it in four weeks (three, really, but I couldn't get back up for another week) and I'm very pleased with the result.  Bottom line: swallow your pride when you know your are in over your head. Get to a Pro!

Click HERE to see the video.

A day in the park.

We were invited to a wildflower tour in the Great Smokies with an eclectic group of individuals. They've been meeting on the same weekend for over 30 years. They are in to the third generation, now.

We took a long hike the first day and I logged almost 20 new species of wildflower. I downloaded a wildflower app on my iPhone 5. It enabled me to not only identify plants, but also to keep a log of the ones I found.

We had a great time with good people. I'm hoping we are invited back!

It looks like the Purina Brittany has the lead early in the first turn, over to you Bob...

Ace and me at the Ironman, Sparta, GA

 

 

 

Sitting around telling lies and stuff during a field trial, a few of us came up with an idea that still has me chuckling. I think we should put a mini cam on both dogs, a cam of both shooters' guns, mic the shooters and the judges- oh, and a camera on the heads of both judges, as well. Then we could run the feeds back to the "control booth" and have announcers give a blow by blow account of the brace. Dog cam to gun cam to judge cam with audio feeds of the judge making comments. Of course sponsors would be encouraged, Purina, Tritronics, etc.

I can hear it now...

Bob; "Bill, it looks like Randy and his Tritronics Brittany have a nice find in the back corner there!" 

 Bill: "Yes, Bob! Randy is still humping out of the ditch to get to his dog. Ace, The Tritronics Brittany, is locked tight and we just have a glimpse of the little rooster quail, right there, in the clump of grass just upwind of his nose. It looks like a good find, here! And, now over to Andy and the Purina Setter.....Andy?"

Andy: "Thanks, Bill! Buck, the Purina Setter, is having a terrible run here and seems to be a little loose in the front end after a strong start. His half mile, full out intial cast was dry and now he's low on fuel and his tongue is dragging the ground. Wait! Here's a point...(bird flushes)...Oh, no! Team Buck won't be happy with that flushed bird! Back to you, Bill."

Bill: "Thanks, Andy! Randy is flushing the little Triple A Game Farm quail, you can see it here on the Purina dog cam- there it goes!"

Switch to the Tri Tronics gun cam.....bang, bang..."expletive deleted"!

Judge audio..."Hey, Randy, I'm sure you hit it twice. Amazing, how those little buggars can fly with all that lead in them, isn't it? Well, it looks like it went another mile out of bounds..."

Bob: As Ace, the Tri Tronics Brittany, and Buck, the Purina Setter, head for another find, let's take a short station break to learn how to force fetch a dog in 30 seconds or less with Dr.Bubbas secret training system...

And so it goes......

Flowers are out!

The best time of year! Other than the terrible pollen, the South is great in the spring. It's a constant surprise when the bulbs come up, the grass begins to green, the turkeys are gobbling and the bird dogs are depressed. All the trials here are finished and we are beginning to make plans for next year already! One of my dogs, Cap, is off at summer camp to sharpen up his retrieving. He's good, but he needs to be better. I know a professional trainer, who is also a NSTRA competitor, who can fix this little glitch. I can and do force train dogs for others, but this will not be an easy one or two day fix, so I wanted an outside opinion and expertise. He should be back in a week or so, ready for the summer conditioning and brushing up in anticipation of that first hunting trip in September. Where will it be this year? Montana, Idaho, South Dakota, Minnesota? It really doesn't matter....it's all good!

The backyard looking to the pasture.

Can they just not come in?

Ruby

She's a month late.  Ace is looking at me like I can do something, and I don't have any answers at all.  What a lousy time to not come in season! She's been as regular as a clock for the past 3 years and now, after permission from the Ball and Chain and all the hoops to jump through, she decides to not come in to season.  The vet says she appears close, and I've checked her out so much she is starting to turn away from me and jump up on her front legs to get her rear end in the air as I approach! I'm thinking some more investigation as to dogs and estrus cycles, etc., is in the cards here. 

The Georgia Region NSTRA Championships 2013

Click HERE to watch a video of the Championships.


We met at RB and Gary Garrett's Gold and Grass Farm in Ball Ground, GA, 16/17 March, for the Georgia Regional Championships. The last few days were warm and many were hoping for some cool weather. When the sun came over the hill, it was still in the high 30's and the shorts-wearing crowd were re-thinking the strategy. The heavy dew and cool temps were perfect for a field trial, and then a light breeze came up, making the scenting even more outstanding. We drew the trial at 0700 and braces started immediately after that, with Ed Murdock and Sugar and Randy Schultz and Cap leaving the line at 0800.

Throughout the day, with a short break for lunch, the competition was stiff. All the dogs did a good job and most of the handlers managed to keep errors to a minimum. (Did he really turn his dog loose to have it pick the bird up?). At the end of the day, Keith Koon and his Skeeter (p/f) managed, not only First Place, but her first Championship!  (Something tells us this will be the first of many!). Second went to Ed Murdock and Sugar, third to Gene Pritchett and Snicker.

That evening, after all the stories (some true), we got down to the serious business of electing officers and awarding outstanding performance throughout the year.  RB Garrett was elected to President, with his brother, Gary, Vice President. Angela Healan was too tired to protest when we voted her is as Secretary/Treasurer for the 20th year in a row. (See, we told you it would only be a two year commitment.).

High Point Dog went to Tripp and Jeffery Keck. High Point Female went to Skeeter and Keith Koon. Most Improved Dog was Taz and Brandon Pritchett. Rookie of the Year is Bill Green (we are lucky to have him) and Sportsman of the Year is Dale Aldridge. Dale is also this year's Scott Clark Award recipient (signifying someone who will go the extra mile for NSTRA and/or the Region). Judge of the Year is Corey Perdue. Bodie Ray and David Healan were elected as Directors at Large.

Sunday weather was more of the same. Perfect,  as we broke out the sun block but kept the jackets close in the morning. The competition was still fierce. In fact, by the Final Hour, we had a first for the Georgia Region, a father/son final hour brace. I'm not doing the research, but there is a possibility it might be the first in NSTRA. Johnny Murdock and Bo and Ed Murdock and Sugar took to the fields and didn't show any mercy, at all. In the end, youth had a slight advantage as JOHNNY MURDOCK and BO earned the title of Georgia Region Champion!  Second was Ed Murdock and Sugar, Third - Jeffery Keck and Tripp (the 2011 and 2012 Champion), Fourth- Ricky Gunnyon and Smoke!  Corey Perdue planted birds, Wesley Downs (Alabama) and Gary (TN) judged. Thank you all for making this possible!

Johnny Murdock and BO