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Heat Beater

By Andy Kohly

Shooting Dog Editor

This tip comes to us from Larry Smith of Gold Canyon, AZ

Quail hunting in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona can be extremely hard on dogs, as the temperatures frequently hover around the upper end of the thermometer for most of the season.  To help combat heat stress, soak a large sponge with water, then put the sponge in a suitably sized freezer bag and freeze it.

To use the apparatus, put the bag in the game pouch of your hunting vest.  As you periodically bring your dogs in for water, remove the frozen sponge from the bag and rub them down, paying particular attention to the chest, head and legs.  Aside from cooling the dogs, the frozen sponge can also help cool any birds that might be in the game pouch.

The sponge itself does not replace common sense when it comes to preventing heat injuries.  A combination of good judgment, plenty of fresh drinking water and the sponge, can keep your dogs cooler in both early season training and hunting.

Thanks Larry!!!!

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