Vest or no Vest
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wylie Texas USA
Posts: 129
Vest or no Vest
What are your thoughts on Vests? Are they worth the money or did you use it a couple of times and throw it into a shelf? If they are worth it which level do you recommend?
Regular
Regular with chest protector
Regular with chest protector and floatation.
Regular
Regular with chest protector
Regular with chest protector and floatation.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Elsmere, Kentucky USA
Posts: 154
RE: Vest or no Vest
First, what are you hunting? What type of cover are you hunting? The vest with floatation devices are strictly for waterfowl hunting. The other two can be used for upland and/or waterfowl.
I highly recommend the use of vest! Not only do they keep the dogs warm in the colder months, they are an asset for protecting the dogs from injury. Currently I am using the neoprene version (no chest-protector) and love them. These can be easily repaired (sewn), which is a big plus. The other styles I have used in the past lasted -- at best, one season. I have used the same neo' s for three seasons now. Another added feature is the multiple-patterns that vest come in. When upland hunting, one of my dogs always has a hunter-orange vest on -- especially during deer season.
I highly recommend the use of vest! Not only do they keep the dogs warm in the colder months, they are an asset for protecting the dogs from injury. Currently I am using the neoprene version (no chest-protector) and love them. These can be easily repaired (sewn), which is a big plus. The other styles I have used in the past lasted -- at best, one season. I have used the same neo' s for three seasons now. Another added feature is the multiple-patterns that vest come in. When upland hunting, one of my dogs always has a hunter-orange vest on -- especially during deer season.
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wylie Texas USA
Posts: 129
RE: Vest or no Vest
I will primarily be hunting waterfowl in open water in a blind or out of a boat.
I guess my question is more.......Do they keep the dog warmer or not? Are are they more touble than they are worth? I have a golden that will retrieve in icy water without any complaints but I would like to make him as comfortable as I possibly can. Last season was his first season and it was a mild one. If it gets colder this season I am not sure if it will affect him. I have heard that they can not withstand temperatures as low as a lab.
Thanks[&:]
I guess my question is more.......Do they keep the dog warmer or not? Are are they more touble than they are worth? I have a golden that will retrieve in icy water without any complaints but I would like to make him as comfortable as I possibly can. Last season was his first season and it was a mild one. If it gets colder this season I am not sure if it will affect him. I have heard that they can not withstand temperatures as low as a lab.
Thanks[&:]