Sub-Zero Temps Worth The Trip?

Bob Peters said:
I'd be nervous leaving a heated vest on a dog when I'm not around.
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It's good to be careful. Personally, I'd think there would be a greater risk with a heater that heats a larger space, since they get hotter. The coat doesn't get hot enough to ignite anything. I suppose there might be a risk of a wire getting exposed, but hard to guess at that risk.

Regarding the dog getting too warm, I wouldn't put it on a dog if the temp is above 20 deg F (if they are sitting still). That highly depends on the dog's coat though and body shape, etc. I only intend to use mine when hunting when in single digits or lower.
 
Easiest is to leave the vehicle on. As long as you aren't parked over tall grasses, it should be safe. My Ford will shut off after 15 min, but I can go into the settings to disable that. It resets when you turn off the vehicle, so has to be redone each time.

Speaking of that and hunting in cold weather... A remote starter sure is handy. Mine is via my phone, so I can do it when I am not even close to the vehicle. Then it is nice and warm when we get back from frigid hunting.
 
Our trip dates are fixed in advance, so no flexibility- that left us with a number of trips with single digit highs and negative at night lows; most of this mentioned
- we cover the dog crates with a sleeping bag first then queen size blanket - learned it can get too hot for dogs if you completely cover crates - so adjust the front accordingly
- bring multiple dog cushions for your crates - change them out if they get wet and bring the wet ones in your room to dry overnight & toss them back in the truck in the morning
- one tow strap may not be enough (based on experience) I carry 3 & a chain
- 2 regular & 2 collapsible shovels
- bring a jumper/tire compressor unit / they make nice compact ones - buy a good one if you don’t have one
- warm head gear/gloves/ extra pair of warm socks and boots - this really saved a buddy who broke through ice & filled his muck boots in single digit temps - those dry socks & boots were a savior & it took a while for his feet to thaw -
- don’t assume snow covered min maintenance
Roads don’t have ice underneath & water underneath that - you can get stuck in a hurry - pretty dry this year - but have seen where guys really got stuck
- you can always warm up in the truck! Don’t risk frostbite
prepare for the worst & enjoy your trip!
 
My dogs have always rode inside the truck. It is why in part I own a large SUV instead of a pick up truck.

The upper Midwest can be hot in September (and in recent years October) and extremely cold in late season.

My dogs are indoor dogs. I have never felt the need to have them wear a vest or warm covers when hunting upland.

That said, the tips above on keeping kenneled dogs warm and especially dry are good.
 
Oh my dogs will 100% be in the Airbnb with me at night.. I’m just worried about the hour or two max when I’m hunting.. realistically I’m sure they’ll be 100% fine with an extra blanket in their crate. I can’t imagine my dogs putting in all that work to find me birds and I leave them in the car overnight. Sometimes they even sleep in the bed!
 
Bob Peters said:
I heard on a podcast where a guy lost a dog or two by putting kennel covers on and zipping them up completely. The dogs died of overheating. If the dogs can't sleep in the bedroom with me at night, I'm not going.
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Agree. Dogs stay inside with me. I have had them sleep in my truck at a cabin or two and a farm where it was just better for them to be there and the location was remote… no stranger danger
 
Might be easier to just hunt out of a SnoBear. As I get older, I think bird hunting should be fun, not just survival. We have lost out on several trips to NoDak with I-94 closing due to blizzards. Be safe.
 
Wind River said:
Might be easier to just hunt out of a SnoBear. As I get older, I think bird hunting should be fun, not just survival. We have lost out on several trips to NoDak with I-94 closing due to blizzards. Be safe.
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If the weather isn't decent I wait a day or two, as it usually improves. If I have to wait longer, that's okay. I can bring back only 15 roosters and 15 grouse anyway.
 
BrdHntr said:
- bring multiple dog cushions for your crates - change them out if they get wet and bring the wet ones in your room to dry overnight & toss them back in the truck in the morning
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I use an old quilt (inside the crate, inside the vehicle, when driving places, not with the dog in it overnight) and some old towels on top of the quilt. I throw them in the dryer if they get wet. Wet stuff turns to ice overnight. Good thing to bring up, regardless of what is in the crate.

BrdHntr said:
- 2 regular & 2 collapsible shovels
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Make one of them be a pointed shovel. When the snow gets like concrete, a plastic scoop shovel doesn't do as good of a job of breaking up chunks as a pointed metal one.
 
If you’re rotating I’d double them up in the kennel in the cab. Give the warm dog a chance to warm up the one that was just out in the elements. Maybe give it an extra 10 or 15 minutes between drops. A couple of hrs in the cab while your out hunting the other one shouldn’t be a problem.
 
BRITTMAN said:
I have never felt the need to have them wear a vest or warm covers when hunting upland.
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Neither have I. They start working and running and panting even when its 10 degrees out. I can see the point of a protective vest around barb wire, but a heated one is just silly.

My dog lays outside in the snow when its below zero for cryin' out loud.

I'll take single digits over 65 degrees every single time.
 
At this point, I am not going out in temps much below 15° or temps starting at 50°. I always have had trouble keeping my fingers warm (trigger finger) and the GSPs I have had won't slow down and would likely suffer heat stroke.
If you can handle the cold, I am sure the dog can. Maybe these short-haired dogs would benefit from a vest of some sort, but heated vests?? Even if it is 10 below, if left in the vehicle cab for a few hours in a crate with a good pad and maybe a cover over the top (an old comforter or doubled-up blanket) has to be quite adequate....not covering entirely.
Some good advice on cold weather prep here. If it is below zero temps, with much snow on the ground, I would think anyone (everyone) should think twice before venturing out in somewhat secluded areas where you are not near someone you know. Sure don't go drift busting! Help in those conditions might be a challenge if needed.
 
I had to delay a trip to SD and now I'm sitting a few states away watching the weather, debating whether to go or not myself. I normally go regardless of weather but I hit a horrific ice storm a couple years ago that was stupid and my Vizsla tore his paws up last year hunting in hard, frozen snow. I'm always by myself, so I bring all kinds of crap for me and the dogs.....just in case and it's always in the way. I always end up talking myself into going but I'm not sure the amount of birds I normally get into on public land is worth the risk, time and trouble dealing with the awful roads and frigid temps this time of year.
 
No heated vested! When the dogs are hunting they are fine, other than pads on crusted snow which can be a real problem.. Bring water in the field as some of that very cold is very dry as well.
When I am traveling on a few day drive hunting trip. I have two dogs in the back seat of crew cab in separate crates back to back with both facing their given door without the crate door on. If I cannot bring them in hotel room which happens on the road when you are stopping late and have little choice on which franchise you are staying at. I cover each kennel with old sleeping bags. If it's below say 20 I double them up in one kennel and then cover with sleeping bag. When I uncover the crate in the morning to get them out it always is warm as toast in there
 
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