Ask any dog person what his or her favorite part of the hunt is, and you’re likely to hear, “Watching the dogs work.” For someone who appreciates hunting with four-footed companions, there is no more joy than in seeing a dog perform the job it was bred and trained to do. That’s why hunters want the best for their canine charges—from gear for hunting, training and protection to fuel for peak performance.
MUD RIVER DELUXE DOG HANDLER BAG
Organizing and carrying dog-training supplies just got easier with Mud River’s Deluxe Dog Handler Bag. The bag has a heavy-duty, water-resistant polyurethane shell and a molded bottom for durability and protection. The main compartment is accessed with a wide double zipper and has a removable interior divider. There are also multiple exterior zippered pockets on the sides and ends. The bag comes with rot-resistant rope handles and a padded shoulder strap. Dimensions: 15" (l) x 10" (w) x 10" (h). Color: Brown. Price: $120.
Mud River, boytharness.com.
FIDO PRO AIRLIFT EMERGENCY DOG RESCUE SLING
There’s nothing worse than having a dog get injured—except having it get injured miles from a truck or camp. Enter the Fido Pro Airlift Emergency Dog Rescue Sling, a packable sling that allows you to carry a wounded or sick dog to safety. Weighing only 8 to 9½ oz (depending on size), the sling comes in a small stuff sack and is easily stowed in a hunting vest. It is quick and easy to deploy, with the dog’s legs fitting into reinforced holes in the pack-cloth body. Adjustable shoulder straps with 1½” nylon webbing and YKK quick-release buckles along with an adjustable sternum clip allow you to carry your dog hands-free behind your back (read: so that you can still carry your gun). Sizes: M (dogs 20 to 45 pounds), L (45 to 70 pounds) and XL (70 to 150 pounds). Price: $85.
Fido Pro, fidoprotection.com.
EUKANUBA PREMIUM PERFORMANCE PUPPY PRO
Raising a hunting dog properly means doing so from the get-go with proper nutrition. Eukanuba’s Premium Performance Puppy Pro food is specially formulated with optimal levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that active puppies need throughout their development. The complete and balanced nutrition contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), for smarter, more trainable and healthier puppies; glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), for joint health; and an antioxidant complex, to aid in developing healthy immune systems. The kibble shape promotes chewing and slower food intake. Price: $24.50 (4-pound bag), $91 (28-pound bag).
Eukanuba, eukanuba.com.
CHÊNE GEAR ZIPPERED KNEE BOOT
For scent-free training or hunting in wet conditions, Chêne Gear’s Zippered Knee Boot offers lightweight, durable, waterproof protection. Incorporating the best parts of the company’s impressive wader boot, this “standalone version” has a natural-rubber outer and 3.5mm neoprene insulation. A quick-drying, moisture-wicking liner keeps feet dry and comfortable, and 5mm and 7mm polyurethane inserts make for an optimum fit. A full-length YKK side zipper backed by a waterproof gusset allows for easy on-off. The EVA molded footbed provides support, and a durable rubber outsole has a unique tread with excellent grip. Weight: 5 pounds 2 ounces (Size 10). Sizes: Whole 6 to 14. Color: Olive. Price: $200.
Chêne Gear, chenegear.com.
GARMIN DELTA SE HANDHELD & COLLAR
Built on the KISS principle, the Garmin Delta SE handheld and collar have helped simplify dog training. The palm-size handheld weighs only 3 oz and is the company’s most intuitive to date, requiring only one-handed operation. There is no screen to look at, and the unit operates with three simple buttons allowing for momentary, continuous or tone correction. A dial on top is used to change between 10 stimulation levels, and an auxiliary setting can change the tone setting to vibration. A slide switch allows for training up to two dogs out to a half-mile range. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 70 hours. The handheld can be paired with the new Delta SE collar or existing Delta XC or PT 10 collars. Price: $250 (Delta SE handheld and collar), $150 (handheld only), $130 (collar only).
Garmin, garmin.com.
FIELD ARMOR CANVAS UPLAND VEST
The Field Armor Upland Vest is designed to keep your dog protected and visible whether chasing birds or bumpers. The Canvas version is for mid- to late-season hunting and dogs with short or thin coats. It features an English bridle leather “skid plate” in front, a bottom half made of 1000D Cordura canvas and a top half of 600D waterproof polyester canvas. Both the top and bottom are lined with 1.5mm neoprene. The vest is fully modular, so the top half can be swapped with a mesh piece or camo canvas for waterfowling (both sold separately). Attachments are mil-spec plastic buckles and hook-and-loop fasteners, and there is a grab handle for controlling your dog, if necessary. The vest is also available as a full-mesh version for hot weather and a half-mesh version for early to mid-season hunting or dogs with heavier coats. Sizes: S (chest circumference 22" to 26"), M (26" to 30"), L (30" to 34") and XL (34" to 38"). Colors: Orange, Green, Pink and Yellow. Price: $150.
Field Armor, fieldarmorusa.com
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