Hunting dogs and ICE?

steelhead22 · 12-14-2005, 02:25 PM

With all the lakes frozen up right now, I was wondering what you guys do with your dogs right now. Do you bring them out with you as usual, or leave them at home and do the retrieving yourself?

Last time I was out, I sent my lab after a duck that was downed on the ice, and I don't think I'll do it again. He broke the ice just fine (~1/4-1/2" thick), but he hits the water so hard that it did a number to his legs. He wasn't bleeding, just some bruising, but it had to hurt him. These dogs simply don't show it when they are in pain, so you have to be the one that decides what's safe for them or not. What do you guys think? Am I just babying him, or am I making the right call?

12-14-2005, 02:27 PM

After almost loosing my lab I would hunt the fields and wait until the water got real hard.

Crashin' Bait · 12-14-2005, 03:01 PM

Why risk a valuable tool and hunting buddy? It isn't a good feeling watching helplessly as he/she slipped under the ice for the last time. I dont mean to sound harsh but, I've seen this before. I definitely don't want to see it again even if it isn't a dog that I have became aquainted with.

Hunt'nFish · 12-14-2005, 03:26 PM

Good points guys. As a new Lab owner these are the things to log away in the ol memory banks.
It would be very sad to see harm come to our hunting companion.
Hunt'nFish

duckboy · 12-14-2005, 03:34 PM

go hunt that boy on the west side. Not as much ice.

LickSkillet · 12-14-2005, 04:31 PM

Dangerous Bidness.... Not recommended

fishinpoor · 12-14-2005, 05:41 PM

that is a situation that we are faced with this time of the year in my part of the country,my criteria is if the duck/goose falls in the hole i've created i'll send him,if it lands on ice then we will pick it up when we are done,i just had a hunt last saturday where we broke ice for 300-400 yards to get to open water,we set up in an area of open water that had large patches of ice on the outside,then open water beyond that,we shot several ducks that sailed over the ice and landed in open water,instead of sending the dog through open water/ice/open water,i waited until we were done then ran these as blind retrieves,sending the dog along side the ice then whistling him down and casting him over to the duck,whistle him down the second he makes the retrieve,handle him over past the ice then whistle him straight in,of course you have to have a handling dog to do this.use common sense,don't let him go onto ice that you can't walk on,if he breaks through all you can do is watch helpless,not a good feeling.

Gettin' Birdy · 12-14-2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Dangerous Bidness.... Not recommended

Once you send them and they get into trouble, you're stuck. Not something I would like to live with.

-Gettin' Birdy

PullShootExplode · 12-14-2005, 07:04 PM

Tough call I sent my lab after a drake today she broke the ice fine just a very tired dog tonite. Oh yeah the Crooked River is frozen, makes for some good jump shooting.

baltz526 · 12-14-2005, 07:11 PM

the problem normally happens when they decide to not listen to commands to stop, young dogs have this volume control built in, they can not hear anything, if they see a bird flapping on the ice.i try to hunt shallow water areas, this time of year, so even if it frozen over and the dog gets trapped, you have a good chance of getting to the dog.i have been close to losing dogs two times, it is a real good feeling to see them nails dig in and see them scramble out.

DukAddict · 12-14-2005, 07:15 PM

The dog we had in our party last hunt day got stuck in ice well over an inch thick.... we were worried but we got him out. Were leaving the dog home tomorrow.

Brett Neffendorf

duckdog310 · 12-15-2005, 07:05 AM

I'll have to +1 the opinions listed above. Too risky for me and my huntin' buddy.

Crooked Hook · 12-15-2005, 09:00 AM

I was out last Sunday and got the dog to go through the path I had broken in the ice to set the dekes. It's not ideal but I was out there part of the way and could have helped her out if she got stuck. The ice was only an 1/8th inch thick though.

Chinooked · 12-15-2005, 09:16 AM

If the dog can stand, I say let him bust ice. But if its to deep for him to put his paws on the ice and his back feet on the ground, then don't. I have taken an icey swim after a friends dog in montana on a frozen pond in 5 degree air temps. THis was one of the scariest things I have ever done and it can be avoidable. Our furry friends are to valuable, if it doesn't feel right dont do it.
Rich