With hunting season already underway for archery, rabbit and squirrel hunters, it won’t be long for waterfowl hunters as well as deer gun hunters to get in on the fun. When we do head to the fields, woods or marshes many of us will have our dogs in tow. No matter the breed or task they’re put to, it’s our job to keep them safe and secure.
Cold-blooded killers
With a statewide population of about 3 million, alligators are becoming more and more of a problem. Prices have stayed low the last several years, meaning fewer are harvested, leaving more out there to contend with.
Alligator season, which used to run only through the end of September, has been extended through December. What this means is that if alligators can be caught in November and December, they are still looking to feed or defend their territory and that puts dogs in jeopardy.
With low rivers and dry conditions over most of the state through early October, alligators are on the move to find suitable conditions, meaning they’re showing up in places not normally expected such as ponds and rice fields. With sometimes “balmy” temperatures during November and even December, the best defense is to keep an eye out or scan where you’ll be hunting. Remember that just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. Big alligators that will outright kill a dog don’t get that way being dumb. If in any doubt, leave the mutts at home.
Snakes
In addition to alligators, we also have the “no shoulders” to put up with. Louisiana is home to several venomous snakes such as moccasins, rattlesnakes, copperheads and coral snakes. A bite from any can turn into an emergency in a hurry, but moccasin and rattlesnake bites will be most common. The bitten area will swell quickly. If around the airway, the swelling can constrict airflow causing suffocation. No matter where the bite occurs, tissue damage can be severe, putting the dog on the sidelines for a while.
In terms of duck dogs, not much can be done to protect them while on a retrieve in warm weather, but we can make sure where they will work from is safe. A couple of years ago during the big duck opener, I pulled the cover off of a pit blind I was going to hunt with my brother and nephews and laying in the dog box was a large moccasin. Luckily, we had a machete in the UTV, but we still checked the blind thoroughly for others. Dogs don’t think of dangers, so keep them under control until you can check out their spot. A well-brushed blind is a cozy place for a snake to lay up when it does get cold.
Lost and found
Every season dogs get lost. The good news is that with social media the word spreads fast, greatly upping the odds that the dog is found. Most dogs are collared with the owner’s contact information, but in the event the collar slips off, a microchip is cheap insurance.
About the size of a grain of rice, chips are coded with the owner’s info and inserted between the shoulder blades. Dogs can be scanned at a shelter or veterinary office and find the owner. Costs run about $50 on average but its wasted money should contact info change and not be updated on the chip provider website. I checked my dog’s recently while at the vet for vaccinations to make sure it is in place and the contact info was correct. In the case of a dog possibly being stolen, the chips provide proof of ownership.
In addition to chips and tags, GPS collars are good insurance, but keep in mind that battery life only lasts so long. Reflective collars provide very good visibility, especially with dark coated dogs, and aid in them being seen should they near a road or when searching at night for them.
We invest a lot of time, money and effort in our four-legged friends, so keep an eye on them! Hunting without them just ain’t the same!
