The Hours Between Hunts

Keeping Bird Dogs Safe In their Kennels During Early-Season Heat

ENTRY 002 • FIELD OBSERVATION

The sun hadn't even crested the horizon yet, and the heat was already filling the air. The kind of heat that instantly makes you wonder, is this morning's hunt going to be worth it?

Ahead of us stretched miles of rolling prairie, full of sharptails and Hungarian partridge. The kind of country we dream about all year—and our bird dogs do too. But opening week on the prairie has always come with a price, and it's measured on a thermometer.

Opening morning on the Montana prairie. September 1, 2023.

As ready as we are for fall, it seems like the dog days of summer always find a way to follow us into September. Temperatures climbing into the upper 90s—and sometimes into the 100s—can turn an unforgettable hunt into a dangerous one.

The good news is that first light and the last hour before sunset often give us a window when conditions are manageable. Those few cooler hours are when we make our hunts.

But what about the other twelve+ hours of the day?

When most of us think about protecting our dogs from the heat, we picture them running through the field. We carry extra water, take frequent breaks, and watch for signs of overheating.

What we don't always think about are the long hours between hunts.

The drive to the next spot. The afternoon back at camp. Or, if you have multiple dogs, one may be spending extra time in the kennel while you're hunting another. During early September, those hours often expose our dogs to more heat than the hunt itself.

By mid day, the thermometer read 100°.

That's why, over the years, I've become just as focused on keeping my dogs cool in their kennels as I am while they're chasing birds.

Positioning The Truck

One thing working against us on the prairie is the complete lack of shade. Parking beneath a tree simply isn't an option when there aren't any trees.

Over the years, one habit I've gotten into is paying attention to how I park the truck. Whether I'm stopping for a hunt or spending the day at camp, I try to point the nose of the truck toward the sun.

Truck nose pointed towards the sun, so the rear stays shaded.

My kennels ride beneath a topper in the bed of the truck. By facing the front of the truck into the sun, the topper casts more shade across the back of the bed, helping keep the kennels out of direct sunlight for much of the day.

It's a simple adjustment that only takes a few seconds, but every little bit of shade helps when temperatures are climbing into the upper 90s.

This is a habit I carry over to just about every place I hunt, even back in the grouse woods where October afternoons can still reach into the 80s. Overall, it's a simple habit to get into, no matter where you're hunting.

Keep Fresh Air Flowing

One of the biggest challenges during early season isn't just the heat—it's hot, stagnant air trapped around your dog for hours at a time.

Many hunters use fans mounted directly to the kennel door to help keep air moving. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, and if it fits your setup, it can be a great addition.

For me, though, fans have never really fit the way we hunt. Most of our time is spent off the grid, far from a reliable power source to keep batteries charged or fans running all day.

More importantly, I don't want to rely on a fan alone. A fan can help move air, but it works best when there's fresh air available to move. Without good ventilation, you're still asking your dog to spend hours in a hot enclosed space.

That's why my first priority is always fresh airflow.

I fully open the sliding windows on my truck topper, and if we're back at camp or not actively hunting, I'll leave the tailgate open as well. My goal is to create as much natural airflow through the topper as possible, letting fresh outside air continuously move through the kennels.

Most days on the prairie there's enough of a breeze that nature does the work for me.

Topper windows fully open and the tailgate down to maximize airflow.

Like parking the truck toward the sun, checking that my topper windows are still open has become another habit. In fact, it's so important to me that I'll check them multiple times before walking away from the truck.

You can call it paranoia, but I've even turned around after starting a hunt and walked all the way back just to make sure the windows were slid open.

It takes less than a minute, and it's worth every second for the peace of mind that my dogs have all the fresh air they can get.

Plan Ahead For A Watering Hole

Contrary to our normal stomping grounds in the Northwoods, the prairie isn't known for its abundance of lakes and ponds. Back home in Michigan, it feels like you can't drive more than a few miles without crossing a creek, river, or small lake. Finding a place for the dogs to cool off during an unusually warm October afternoon usually isn't much of a challenge.

The prairie is a different beast.

Lakes are few and far between, and cool, flowing rivers are even harder to find. But if you spend enough time studying satellite imagery before your trip, you'll often discover a small creek tucked away between a couple of draws or winding through a pasture. They aren't everywhere, but they're there if you know where to look.

Whenever I can, I'll go out of my way to hunt around these areas because water is life.

Not only do they give the dogs a chance to cool down with a quick swim and a drink, but prairie birds often key in on these same water sources. Finding one is a win for both you and your dog.

On especially hot days, I'll even make a trip back to one of these creeks after the hunt before loading the dogs into their kennels for the afternoon. Letting them cool off and soak their coats gives them a head start before they spend the next several hours riding or resting in the truck.

My orange-and-white Brittany, Aspen, cooling off in a prairie creek on a 90° day.

Before you ever leave home, spend a little time studying satellite imagery to identify a handful of potential water sources and drop a pin on each one. There's a chance some of them may be dried up, but if temperatures climb higher than expected, you'll already have a few backup options marked and know exactly where to go.

Watch it happen

I covered my routine for keeping dogs cool in the kennel during a hunt on the prairie where temps soared into upper 90s. If you'd rather see my routine being used than just read about it, watch the video below.

Keep a Close Eye On And Monitor Your Dogs

The best thing you can do for your dog during these hot days is simply pay attention to them.

Even if you think they're getting enough airflow or have had plenty of water, make a habit of checking on them throughout the day. Look for excessive panting, lethargy, or any other signs that they may be struggling with the heat. No piece of equipment or cooling strategy can replace simply knowing your dog and recognizing when something isn't right.

Every truck, kennel, dog, and climate is different. These are the practices I've adopted over years of traveling and hunting with my own bird dogs, but always monitor your own dogs closely and adjust based on the conditions you're hunting in.

Early season on the prairie offers some of the most memorable hunts of the year. A little preparation and a few good habits go a long way toward keeping our dogs safe, healthy, and ready for the next covey rise.

My two liver Brittanys, Yeti (left) and Ember (right), locked up on a covey of huns.

Taking care of our dogs doesn't end when the hunt is over. In many ways, that's when it matters most. The hours between hunts deserve just as much attention as the hours spent hunting.

Field Notes

✓ The hours between hunts deserve just as much attention as the hours spent hunting. 
✓ Park with the nose of your truck toward the sun to help keep the kennels in the shade.
✓ Open every available window to maximize natural airflow.
✓ Mark creeks and water sources on satellite imagery before leaving home.
✓ Cool dogs down before loading them into the kennel for extended periods.
✓ Know your dogs and watch for signs of overheating.
✓ Good habits are built long before they're needed.

The Uplander Field Journal
Entry 002 • Field Observation
Until next time,
— CE