Before we dive back into the joint health series for this New Year, I wanted to take a moment to discuss two pressing topics I’ve been getting a lot of questions about lately. These topics are the recent developments around bird flu and hunting in cold conditions. Both are worth addressing as we gear up for the tail end of the hunting season.
Bird Flu: What Hunters Should Know
On the bird flu front, concerns are mounting as the virus continues to spread across species, including cattle, cats, and even humans. Just this week, the first U.S. death linked to bird flu was reported in Louisiana. The individual was over 65 and had other health conditions, and the infection likely stemmed from a backyard flock exposed to wild birds. Earlier this year, a dairy worker became the first documented case of mammal-to-mammal transmission of bird flu, contracting the virus from cattle. There have also been reports of domestic cats contracting the virus from raw diets, along with a significant die-off of large cats at a sanctuary in Washington state.
While concerning, these developments don’t call for panic or major changes to how we approach hunting with dogs. The same recommendations apply: avoid sick birds, and don’t have your dog retrieve already dead waterfowl simply to check for bands. These precautions have always been good practice and remain so.
When I have shared updates about bird flu on social media, some commenters called it fearmongering, while others dismissed the concerns entirely as conspiracies. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has eroded public trust in science, vaccines, and health information. But as hunters, we do have a responsibility to minimize the risks of pathogens jumping species. This means avoiding risky behaviors like letting dogs scavenge carcasses or handling already dead birds unnecessarily. It also means aiding surveillance efforts by reporting any unusual die-offs or issues you encounter. Believe it or not diseases do evolve and change sometimes they get weaker and sometimes nastier.
I specifically had several people reach out about game farm birds in particular. For those who rely on game farms for training, trialing, or hunting, many of these operations have implemented robust biosecurity measures to address bird flu risks, much more so than you likely will ever recognize on the surface. Last summer, I presented at the North American Gamebird Association meeting and was fascinated by a presentation on biosecurity. Some facilities meticulously monitor every movement of birds (wild and those brought in), employees, and customers to minimize risks. These are legitimate operations where the health and safety of the birds—and by extension, their clients—are top priorities. For the vast majority of us, at the end of the day, this is an enjoyable hobby, for those in the gamebird industry it is their livelihood, and they are doing all they can to protect that livelihood. For more information, visit the association’s avian influenza news page.
Ultimately, I subscribe to the philosophy of preparing for worst-case scenarios while hoping they never materialize. With bird flu, this means staying informed, taking reasonable precautions, and remaining aware of potential changes. This isn’t about fear but about preparation and responsibility as hunters.
Cold-Weather Hunting with Dogs: How Cold Is Too Cold?
The other topic I’ve been fielding questions about is hunting in cold conditions. Having just spent a week visiting my wife’s family in Texas, where it was nearly 90°F in late December, I’m reminded how much I prefer cold-weather hunting (and living). My ideal days are in the mid-40s, but I also relish those brutally cold days when most people stay indoors. There’s a certain solitude and satisfaction in braving conditions others won’t. I probably border a little on the neurotic side as someday I’d also like to compete in the Arrowhead 135 (https://arrowheadultra.com/). It’s a 135 mile race in northern Minnesota, in the dead of winter, that you can either bike, run or ski. Any takers?
That’s a very roundabout way to say that I don’t get too concerned about running dogs in the cold; however, cold-weather hunting requires preparation, especially when it comes to your dog. Here are a few key considerations:
Breed Selection Matters
A dog’s ability to handle the cold depends heavily on its breed and build. I started this hunting dog adventure with a Chesapeake, and if there is a breed built for toughness it’s the Chessie. Over 25 years ago when I decided to add a pointing dog to the mix, I looked hard at pointers and ended up going the setter route for this very reason. While there are early season days that I would love a short-coated dog for most of the season my choice makes sense. My buddy runs pointers and there are some late-season pheasant hunts that they just don’t make it on. On the duck hunting front when my duck hunting load fell to Lily (my cocker) there was a point in the season that I just didn’t take her out. She just wasn’t built for late-season, icy duck retrieves. If your dog isn’t built for cold conditions, it’s essential to recognize their limits and adjust your plans accordingly.
Transport and Recovery
Transporting your dog to and from the field comfortably is essential. I shouldn’t have been surprised given the heat, but as we drove across Kansas and Oklahoma, I saw a lot of crates in the uncovered beds of trucks. These modern kennels coupled with a good crate cover are imperative on these cold days. I feel I get another layer of weather protection with the topper as it keeps the wind from chilling the crate and my dogs are toasty warm even without the crate cover down over the door. Exposing dogs to extreme cold to “toughen” them is outdated and harmful. A dog that arrives shivering wastes energy and is more prone to injury, so ensure they are warm and relaxed before the hunt. Post-hunt recovery is just as important. Your dog’s crate should be a warm, secure place where they can begin to recover immediately—not somewhere they continue to fight the cold.
Managing Wet and Windy Conditions
Wet fur and strong winds can quickly sap a dog’s energy, whether they’re retrieving ducks or working in the uplands. For duck dogs, it’s crucial to keep them dry and out of the wind between retrieves. For upland dogs, snow can pose similar challenges with getting a dog wet and an avenue to be chilled. While running keeps them warm, stopping for even a short break can leave them exposed. I’ve seen dogs shut down entirely when they get too cold, and it’s our responsibility as handlers to recognize when it’s time to head back to the truck. Personally, I still think that heat stroke is far more of a problem than the cold. The difference is that a dog will hunt itself to the point of death with heat whereas in my experience a dog will give you plenty of warning that they are getting too cold and that it is time to shut it down. Their demeanor changes from enjoying their job to just looking miserable. Where this becomes problematic is when the handler lets their ego get in the way. That duck dog refusing a retrieve isn’t ignoring a command, they are cold and it’s time to quit. The cold can be every bit as dangerous and deadly as heat but only if we don’t read our dogs and know their limits. I think these are so much easier to interpret in the cold over the heat.
Gear Reliability in Cold Weather
Cold weather can wreak havoc on gear. Stuff fails in the cold. Everything with a battery will have a much shorter life if you have it out in the elements. This means your phone should be in an interior pocket if you are planning to use it in an emergency. Your transmitters, GPS and your watch all will die so much quicker in the cold. On a duck hunt this usually means not making as long of runs in the boat and having contingency plans if your dog needs to get back, and quick. You need to know what to do if your water pump freezes or you shear a pin and how you are going to fix it and fast. Even if the day is going well in the field you will want to make sure when you get back to the truck that your water is water and not ice (meaning it probably needs to ride in the cab) as well as first aid kit items.
Final Thoughts
Cold-weather hunting offers unique rewards and challenges. With thoughtful preparation and a solid backup plan, you can enjoy a safe, successful outing while creating lasting memories for both you and your dog. As we finish up the season here in South Dakota, I’m hoping for a little snow to go with the cold. Enjoy these final weeks, stay safe, and happy hunting!
