Essential Field Gear for You and Your Sporting Dog
By Seth Bynum, DVM
The way we prepare for the hunt offers a window into the soul of the upland hunter, from the gear we trust and load into our vests, to the small rituals that signal it's time to chase feathers and fresh air. But what we carry into the field isn't just about convenience or even superstition. It's about preparation, stewardship, and the responsibility we share with the dogs who work beside us.
As both a veterinarian and a seasoned upland hunter, I've learned that a well-packed hunting vest can make the difference between a small hiccup and a major problem. It's more than a storage system for shells and birds — it's a mobile first aid station, repair shop, hydration system, and memory keeper.
So before you step into the field this season, ask yourself: What's in your vest? And what's missing?
WATCH: PURINA Sporting Dog Shorts — Supplies You Should Have in your Hunting Vest
A Canine First Aid Kit: The Non-Negotiable
If you hunt with dogs, this one's not optional. Call it recommendation borne from a career of seeing Murphy's Law play out in countless clients that encountered a dog injury they weren't equipped to handle.
Every handler should carry a dedicated canine first aid kit. It doesn't need to be heavy or complex, but it does need to include the essentials that let you manage an emergency until you get back to the truck or clinic.
There are numerous pre-packaged ones on the market, or you can assemble your own. I'm partial to the compact kit from Paradigm Sporting Dog. It covers the basics — bandage material, antiseptic wipes, eye flush, small packets of honey, and over-the-counter medications for mild pain or allergic reactions — but it also includes details most hunters forget: a muzzle, slip lead, hemostats, and thumb forceps.
Why those items? Because when dogs are hurt, even the calmest ones can lash out in fear. A muzzle or slip lead allows you to safely treat a wound without becoming part of the injury list yourself. The hemostats and forceps are perfect for removing porcupine quills, cactus spines, or other foreign debris — things that never seem urgent until you actually need them.
The one item you won't find in my vest is a skin stapler. That belongs in the truck. In the field, your focus should be cleaning and protecting wounds, not closing them prematurely. Sealing up a contaminated wound can trap bacteria and turn a small issue into a major infection.
Tools That Go Beyond Medicine
A few other simple tools have earned permanent space in my vest:
- A lightweight multitool, preferably one with pliers, a small knife, and a screwdriver. You'll use it for everything from pulling quills to fixing gear.
- A handful of heavy-duty zip ties. They're cheap and weigh almost nothing, and can serve as an invaluable extra set of hands to spring a dog from a trap.
- A small roll of duct tape. If there's one universal truth about bird hunting, it's that duct tape fixes just about anything temporarily, from torn boots to ripped clothing.
Hunters who spend time far from the truck know that a little improvisation can save a hunt. These tools give you some options when encountering a MacGyver moment in the field.
Hydration
When the early-season sun bears down and miles add up, hydration becomes the silent factor that determines whether your dog finishes strong or fades early.
I carry my water in squeeze bottles — the cheap, durable kind you can find anywhere. When a dog learns to drink directly from the nozzle, you waste almost nothing, and it's much easier to ration your supply. For most dogs, a quick squeeze between retrieves or after each covey rise is all it takes.
If your dog's reluctant to drink, try adding a little flavor. A packet of Purina's FortiFlora mixed into the water makes it more appealing without adding salt, and it doubles as a probiotic for gut health. When I'm sharing water with my dogs, I might add a touch of human electrolyte powder — just enough to improve taste without turning it into a salty brine.
Capturing Memories
Not every item in your vest has to be medical or mechanical. Some are just about celebrating the hunt itself.
A game lanyard or a few feet of paracord lets you hang birds for photos, keeping feathers intact and showcasing the beauty of the day's work. It's a small gesture, but one that honors the effort of both the dog and the conservation story behind the bird.
More Than Just Gear
Ultimately, "what's in your vest" says something deeper about how you approach hunting with dogs. It's about foresight, respect, and the unspoken contract we have with the animals who trust us completely.
Our dogs give us everything — their drive, their focus, their joy — with no hesitation. The least we can do is carry what we need to keep them safe, patch them up, and make sure they're ready to hunt another day.
Want to learn more? View the entire Sporting Dog Shorts catalogue of educational episodes HERE.
Dr. Seth Bynum is an accomplished veterinarian, writer and photographer as well as an avid outdoorsman. His veterinary practice is currently limited to canine reproduction, although he loves tackling sporting dog and internal medicine cases at his home base of Hayden Pet Medical Center. A devout follower of the “Work to Live” philosophy, Dr. Bynum keeps his clinic schedule as lean as possible to pursue his passion for bird dogs and upland hunting. He can be found afield with a fly rod or shotgun, accompanied by his crew of German shorthaired pointers and lugging around a camera.