Logan Hinners
A practical guide to your first bird-doggin’ road trip
By Michael L. Neiduski
I remember thinking that trips with my dog to far-flung destinations unknown for wild birds might as well equate to space travel. But, like many things, it only gets easier with experience and practice. The first thing to do is acknowledge the intimidation of the unknown that comes with lack of experience. And from there, research, plan, and prepare, then point the vehicle toward somewhere with likely cover and hit the gas.
For a first timer, traveling with a bird dog is a tall order; one with enough “what ifs” to fill pages on a Google search. But, every season hunters looking to expand their opportunity take their first trip and fall in love with the uplands. With proper planning, you can too.
Storage
First things first, let’s address vehicle and storage set-up. Conventional wisdom points to most bird doggers going the truck route, many with a topper. That’s my set-up, but there are certainly many more small to mid-sized SUV’s at pull-outs than before. If you’re going on a trip, I highly recommend something with four-wheel drive. In this realm, and throughout your planning, think ‘Eliminate unnecessary risk.’
The beauty of road trips to bird country lies in being on the go and the ability to see and experience new places. Adding a bird dog to the mix brings a new level of excitement, and an additional mountain of gear with minimal space to put it.
I asked several buddies what their go-to piece of equipment would be for long-distance bird hunts and as soon as one mentioned their truck drawer set-up the chorus of agreement came rushing back. It provides a homebase for all gear, including everything brought on with the addition of a dog. An in-vehicle storage system, be it home grown, third-party bought, or simple plastic totes minimizes the need to transfer things from the vehicle to your room and back and means critical items like your first aid kit are easy to find and deploy if needed.
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Nate Akey
Must Haves
With the need for storage addressed, let’s focus on all the things going into it. First, make a list. I will own, I am not a list person. But, buying too many dog bowls at random farm supply shops in quiet little towns will change a man. Start with the basics — leash, bowl, collar, food, first aid, vet records, etc. and go from there. Then, go back to eliminating unnecessary risk. Run an e-collar? Where is the charger? You get the idea. Run through every piece of gear you might need, consider your capacity, and cull as needed. One bit of advice when sifting through what’s necessary and what’s not — don’t cull the duct tape. You’ll relish the MacGyver opportunity if it presents itself.
On the food front, measure out each day’s dog food plus an extra couple days. Then, transfer it into something that gets smaller over the course of your adventure. I use old dry bags. The roll top makes it accessible, and it compresses down over time. The tube of food also fits well into random unused space.
Also, grab a few cans of wet dog food or sardines in oil (nod to Editor Chad Love for this pro-tip). Sometimes dogs get fussy around food in unfamiliar environments. These additions will entice a picky eater into necessary calories. Additionally, make sure a box of Forti-Flora from Purina makes the trip. New water sources, travel, and hunting stress can loosen up an otherwise healthy dog and Forti-Flora keeps them regular and functional. Speaking of water, I leave with 5 gallons from home. It helps keep costs down and provides a stable, familiar source to start from while gradually switching over as the trip goes on.
One more thing on the planning front to consider — what time of year is this excursion and what will the temperature be? Early season sharptails present very different challenges than late season quail. Hot and lots of sun? Consider a battery operated fan from one of the major tool companies. The batteries generally last all day. But, like your collar, don’t forget the charger. (Want to make charging easier? Bring a power strip and keep it with your cords. No more searching for multiple outlet locations wherever you stay.)
If you’re headed north in the later months of the year, be ready for cold. Get a kennel cover that fits appropriately. The sleeping bag-like design provides insulation from the elements and frigid temps. Speaking of temperature, pick up a cheap bluetooth indoor/outdoor thermometer and put the outdoor sensor in or just near your kennel. Knowing the ambient temperature around your pup means one less thing to worry about.
Logistics
Locking down what to bring and where to put it, the focus shifts to where, what, and how. If you’re not camping, decisions must be made around lodging accommodations. Do you want to stay in an AirBnB? Hotel? Motel? Lodge? What are their pet policies? Has your dog ever slept in the vehicle overnight? All necessary things to consider.
My preference is an AirBnB where dogs are allowed inside. While that means lugging a kennel in and out each night, it also means they get to rest in a temperature controlled environment, particularly in colder temps where those calories can be put to hunting instead of generating heat. That said, my dogs have spent many a night curled up in my truck depending on the location or accommodation restrictions. If a dog is comfortable in their kennel, they’ll be fine. This introduces an important point — spend time ensuring they are acclimated to vehicles, kennels, and ride-alongs. Their first time should not be for a long jaunt to a never before seen place.
One last note on travel; build in extra drive time for stops. Not only will a normal bathroom break take longer because you have the addition of the dog, but you will need to find appropriate and safe places to do so. As much as you want to air them out when you stop for a quick coffee or to fill up the tank, find somewhere else. Every other traveler with a dog has taken that shortcut and left all sorts of potential for problems behind. Again, eliminate unnecessary risks. Make the extra effort to find a secluded spot outside the norm. It could save your trip.
Enough is enough already, it’s time to hunt. But, one more thing. If you haven’t considered load management, now is the time. If you’re solo on this trip it’s tempting to cut the dog loose for that first walk and hunt them all day. However, if you’re gone for more than a few days, this is a fools-errand. Think about how many days you have and how you want to hunt them. It’s easy to gas a dog on the first day, severely limiting their effectiveness for the rest of the hunt. And, if you’re with friends, have the frank conversation about which dogs are getting put on the ground and when.
We all want to hunt our dogs all the time, but a five dog field is a free-for-all. And, generally it doesn’t result in the best bird hunting. It also leads to trucks full of burnt out dogs at the end of the day. Your dog will be healthier, you’ll have better hunts if you plan ahead. Have the conversation. Everyone wins.
There you have it. You’re prepped to pack the right gear, you planned a course of action for travel and lodging, and the kennel door is latched with an excited wagging tail inside. It’s time to kick off the first of a lifetime of adventures.
Happy Hunting.
Mike Neiduski writes when he can, especially when he can’t travel with his three dogs to places near and far in search of wild birds. He lives in Charlotte, NC and is eagerly awaiting 2023’s first trip.
This story originally appeared in the 2023 Summer Issue of the Quail Forever Journal. If you enjoyed it and would like to be the first to read more great upland content like this, become a Quail Forever member today!