While many hunters realize that first aid is important to carry in the field, many neglect the fact that their four-legged hunting companion also may need some medical attention. Dogs are tough and often with their adrenaline pumping can get into bad situations. When running at full speed through trees they can get cut and bruised easily, and a hunter has to be prepared for the different types of injuries their hunting dog can sustain.

A dog’s first aid kit will be a bit different from the human variety; dogs won’t often need emergency aspirin or adhesive bandages. While dogs are tough animals and a lot of the injuries they sustain will be minor enough to not need veterinary attention until the end of the day, there are some essentials a hunter should never be without.

The first thing a hunter needs to have in his canine first aid kit is gauze. Most of the injuries sustained by a dog in the field will be flesh wounds from the dog getting physical with another animal, or running at high speeds through trees and brambles. A hunter needs to not only carry gauze, but know how to use it. Tighter isn’t always better, especially in the case of wounds near the feet. It’s extremely easy for the circulation to be cut off in this area and the dog’s foot can swell, so while it should be secure, don’t wrap too tightly. Before wrapping the wound be sure to rinse it out with clean water; this wrapping will often be okay to last through the end of the day’s hunting trip.

Another essential item to the canine first aid kit is a splint. Because of the adrenaline rush a dog feels when in the middle of a hunt, they often can get into careless situations, such as twisting or breaking a leg in deep holes or by falling from high places. This happens much more often than a hunter might expect and he needs to be prepared in case it does. The dog’s leg will need to be splinted and wrapped with gauze. This injury is serious enough that the hunting trip should be cut short and the dog should be taken to a veterinarian.

There are other smaller items that a hunter should have for his hunting dog, and many animal supply stores carry canine first aid kits with just these types of items, such as tweezers and antiseptic. Be sure that you carry all of your canine medical supplies on every hunting trip in case a medical emergency should arise.

Tweet This Post

Understanding a bit about the animal a hunter is seeking is essential to any trip. Knowing the behavior of Canada geese will greatly increase a hunter’s chances of going home with a few bagged birds. When planning your next hunting trip, keep the following points in mind:

• Find the Food. Canada geese are large birds that need a lot of food and water. They often make frequent stops where there is plenty of food and clean water available. The geese will not tolerate swampy, sludge filled water, so they often fly farther than usual to find a clean water source.

• Look for the Flock. Canada geese usually fly in large groups, though sometimes a breeding pair will split off. During migration is when the larger flocks are found, which can have thousands of birds. Be weary of hunting flocks though, often there are many other types of birds mixed throughout the group, so know what you are shooting at.

• Look for Habits. Geese will often stay in the same general area with a stable food source for many days. They usually go in three or four day cycles, eating at one spot for a number of days and then going to another nearby, then eventually back to the first spot. A hunter can capitalize on this habit of the geese and predict their next stop. Be aware though that the geese will become weary of the decoys, and if they come to associate danger with a particular spot, they’ll avoid it all together. Also, the geese prefer to stay closer to large bodies of water on overcast days, and will venture farther in warmer weather.

• Watch the Calls. Canada geese have very sophisticated calls which guides have mastered. Trying to call Canada geese could wind up with the geese steering far clear of you. There are separate calls for danger, feeding, and returning to water.

• Know the Area. Scout your potential hunting spot before you start the hunt. Look for natural areas the geese will be drawn to, and look for signs that they’ve already been there, including areas they’ve bedded down for the night. A large flock of geese will leave a lot of debris and waste on both the ground and in the water.

• Chat Up. Talk to people that are familiar with the area, both hunters and not. People don’t often miss a large flock of geese, and the birds leave so much waste behind, most people will probably be glad to point you in the right direction.

Tweet This Post