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Jesse's Hunting > A Gun Dog's Life > Articles > Travelling with your Gun Dog
Travelling with your Gun Dog
Bryce Mann - JHO ProStaff
- The California Hill Country
May 21, 2007
After competing in several qualifier events at the local level this last upland bird season the Bryce Mann’s Gun Dogs Tournament Hunting Team was once again preparing for the North American Gun Dog Association National Finals in Colorado.
In preparation for a trip such as this, one must consider more than the usual travel costs, room and board, and hunting license. Here are some of the things that you should plan for:
If traveling by car you will need to obtain a certificate of health from your veterinarian not more than 30 days before departure and return. This time frame shortens to 10 days if traveling by air. While still in the planning stages of your trip, it would be advisable to check with your veterinarian for current requirements for travel between states.
Your thoughts should also turn to weather and terrain as with most hunt plans, but don’t forget the dogs. How about fans and cool pads if hot? When the temps drop, warm bedding and jackets may be needed. How about the terrain? Rice stubble and ice requires boots. In either case you will need lots of fresh water.
When traveling to a competition event such as the NAGDA Nationals there will be a veterinarian at the event to help care for the dogs, but I still carry a first aid bag made up especially for the dogs.
Other items?
Long leads make airing the dogs easy on stops. Short leads are good for use during the day’s events.
Don’t forget entry fees, shotgun, ammo, boots, gloves, electronic control collar with chargers… it seems like the list just keeps going. Seems in this game you can never have too many of something. Spares and extras are operative words.
For someone like me who asks one’s self “What if?” the list really grows.
Then it seems that someone always asks “Did you remember….?”
In the case of our team, and our trip to Colorado, we had our dogs, friend’s dogs, and client’s dogs to handle in several different classes and divisions. Some of these dogs come from my kennel which is about 2800 ft elevation, some come from the central valley of California at about 300 ft above sea level and others come from the south coast only a few feet above sea level. All of these dogs and the handlers need to be conditioned to the higher elevation of eastern Colorado. A day or two to adjust to the difference is a big help, not to mention a rest from two whole days of travel. When traveling across state lines you should build into your travel frequent stops for your four legged friends as well.
Before your next trip with your gun dog, plan ahead and ask yourself “What If?”
Take all of the proper gear to fit the conditions. Do not forget to make special plans for your entire group including your best friend.
Please visit www.nagdog.com to find out more about this association dedicated to gun dogs and the preservation of upland hunting.
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