When is it to cold to hunt?

[MSU Aggie]

What is everyone's options on when is it to cold to hunt your dogs? I've got a hunt planned for this weekend but the highs are -5*, I'm having second thoughts on bringing the GSPs.

[LonesomeDove]

My goodness! -5* for a high temp and you are still willing to get out in that stuff?!? I'd be more worried about me than the dog.

[fishvik]

I usually quit with my GSP when we are in single digits but I never quit with the GWP/Lab until the decoys cords were freezing under water. He kinda gave me a look like you're kidding, right.

[polmaise]

Depends what You are hunting with and what you are hunting for .

[Sharon]

When it is below -5 celsius ( 23 degrees fahrenheit) , we stay in. I don't want to take a chance on frostbitten ear tips etc which will equal $$$$$$ at the vet.( Minus 13 celsius) here most of the week.... 8 degrees fahrenheit.)

[ezzy333]

When I have frostbitten ear tips I go to a doctor and not a vet. lol

[slistoe]

It is -28 Celsius here today and the dogs are spending very little time inside the building - they are running around out in the exercise yard for hours at a time. If the dogs are acclimated to the temperatures then they will be better equipped to be out hunting in colder and longer than their human will be.

[Sharon]

-28??? Do you live in Nunavut?

[MSU Aggie]

Thanks guys, the dogs are staying home. Not worth the risk for a bird.

[slistoe]

-28??? Do you live in Nunavut?

No, Iqualit is projected for -38 with wind chill tonight and we are only going to hit -36 with wind chill

[duckn66]

Darn global warming!

[ezzy333]

Darn global warming!

Watch your language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shags]

Darn global warming!

Watch your language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darn climate change?

[bonasa]

It has been between 3 and 13F here, the rivers are mostly iced up, slush and anchor ice on surface and bottom. Still a lot of big ducks and geese around. We have been retrieving our own since the cold snap, although we had a couple ducks get sucked under the shelf ice, id imagine a dog could meet the same fate? Saw a FB post of a NAVHDA guy on the river with a shorthair doing a goose retrieve. I didnt see any decoys so I suspect it was a skybust, one and done. I'm hard on my equipment and have high expectations of my dogs but thats too cold and almost inhumane.

[Sharon]

Don't only worry about how cold it is but also the condition of the snow. Forget today about that crust on the snow and now have a limping JRT.

[cjhills]

I run the dogs every day regardless of temperature. I do stay in if there is much wind. A clear, sunny, 5 degree, still day is not a problem for hunting upland birds the dogs love it. I do like a warm vehicle for the trip home. These are GSPs without a lot of hair but I want them carrying a little extra weight. Load them up if they show signs of hypothermia or more shivering more than normal. We ran for an hour at 19F below last Saturday. Sometimes their feet get cold watch that and do not get to far from your vehicle.............Cj

[Sharon]

Very unusual weather here in ON. LOts of snow and temps well below normal. My husband is up on the roof - yes up on the roof - trying to get the snow off the satellite dish so he can watch New Year's Day football.

Yes, this has nothing to do with the topic at hand except- try to have a JRT in the house who hasn't had enough exercise due to the cold - @#$%^&*

[shags]

Sharon, I’m shocked at your language...just shocked I say!

But I feel your pain. My Jagdterrier spends the day staring at us, or paces around humming, or the worst - stares *and* hums.

S’posed to warm up next week though. Thank heaven!