As a passionate wingshooter, the pursuit of wild birds lures my pack out to the vast western prairies each September. Once the leaves begin to reveal their vibrant colors each fall, we begin a zig-zag pattern across numerous midwestern states with bird dogs working tirelessly to pin down multiple upland species. As winter weather begins to encroach on the uplands, our target shifts toward birds of the fowl kind as the migration ramps into full swing. Duck blinds bring a nice change of pace while sipping coffee, catching up with buddies, and letting bird dogs rest their weary legs.
My wingshooting story is one shared by many others across our community–the dogs made me do it! Many years ago over Christmas break, my dad took my brothers and me on a Missouri quail hunt and I witnessed something that would permanently alter my course in the outdoors. Copper, a firecracker orange and white brittany spaniel, slid sideways into a rock-solid point on a covey of bobwhites. As the dust settled around her silhouette, I stood just as motionless as Copper, gazing at pure and unfiltered intensity.
Copper’s eyes soon shifted to mine and back into the scent cone without moving a muscle, as if to say, “What are you waiting on? They’re right there.” An explosion of wings soon took flight, and I don’t remember if I hit a single bird on that first covey rise, but I’ll never forget what that little brittany stirred up within me. Within a year, I had a rambunctious puppy from Copper and the addiction was rumbling forward at a pedal-down pace. I’ve not missed a season chasing birds across all sorts of terrain since following a bird dog into the field in pursuit of quail.
With each passing season, the years have rolled into decades, I continue to watch in amazement while bird dogs tear up the prairie after grouse, blow through cattail sloughs after wiley ringneck pheasants, and bust ice to bring a greenhead back to the blind. I suspect the vast majority of wingshooters would agree–we continue to do it because of the dogs. I was born a dog guy, and I’ll die a dog guy.
Having logged countless miles across states from Montana to Oklahoma with gun dogs in tow, some gear has proven to be invaluable for a more enjoyable season. One key aspect of wingshooting is the transportation of bird dogs to your favorite hunting spots, whether numerous states away or just a few miles down the road. I’ve used numerous options over the years including back seats, double-hole diamond plate boxes, single-dog kennels, and extremely nice multi-hole dog trailers. I’ve put my hands on nearly every single dog kennel on the market designed to be strapped into a truck bed. Over the last few years, I’ve leveraged Gunner G1 kennels exclusively to transport my bird dogs for a number of key reasons.
Safety First
A safe and secure dog during travel reduces stress on the entire pack. The Gunner G1 kennel set the standard for safety as a 5-Star Crash Test Certified crate by the Center for Pet Safety in 2015. Per Gunner, an overwhelming majority of products have and continue to fail these standards. Leveraging a double rotomolded construction and patented design details, they’re in a league of their own. Gunner’s genuine commitment to providing the safest option for dogs raised the bar across the entire industry and sparked my initial interest in their products.
Increased crash resistance, improved thermal dynamics, key locking doors, and rock-solid stability when securing the kennels provide a strong foundation for the G1 kennels. While their construction method does increase the bulk and weight vs many of their direct competitors, I’ve found it’s a minor tradeoff that’s well worth the benefits. Spend a bit of time watching their torture test videos and it becomes very apparent they’re serious in their mission to save dogs' lives...and the proof is in the pudding.
In the past, in my efforts to find the right balance that met my needs, I always felt like I was making a sacrifice in one key area or another–ease of loading, configuration flexibility, secured locking capabilities, weight, durability, or size. In the end, safety and security for my bird dogs are the most critical requirements, followed closely by overall quality and thoughtful design elements. With Gunner, you can rest assured, knowing your dog is safe and secure traveling down the highway, rambling down a two-track, or locked securely in the truck while restocking supplies at the grocery store.
Built to Last
Durability allows gear to last from one season to the next, a truly thoughtful design ensures you want it to last. Having leveraged numerous options over the years to haul dogs all over the country, I can confirm Gunner kennels are built to last a lifetime. The double rotomolded design ensures Gunner G1 kennels can take an absolute beating and they double down with a lifetime guarantee to give you peace of mind.
Gunner remains committed to American-made products, and that commitment is directly reflected in the high-quality materials used in construction and the fit-and-finish craftsmanship in the final product. As a small gear company owner that’s dedicated to American sourced and sewn products, I’m intimately familiar with the challenges faced when sticking to this commitment. I respect Gunner’s unwavering devotion to building superior products while supporting our country, which I believe directly reflects the fabric of the people behind the company.
Recovery is Key
Surviving the season and thriving throughout the season are two very different things. When you hit a point in your outdoor journey that you realize every opportunity in the field is a blessing, being able to cherish those moments becomes a priority. Just like us, dogs perform at their highest levels when they’re rested, recovered, hydrated, and full of quality nutrition.
The Gunner team is made up of passionate outdoorsmen that truly understands the needs of our four-legged hunting partners, and that’s reflected in integrated products to ensure they’re well taken care of throughout the entire season. If you’re the type that kicks things off in September, you know temps can climb to dangerous levels and being prepared to manage through the early season is key. Gunner offers integrated fans to move air at volume and lower temps quickly. Kennel bowls integrated into their doors provide plenty of water for dogs to stay fully hydrated at camp or driving down the road.
As temps dive headed into late season, Gunner provides thermal protection with an All Weather Kit and Cold Weather Door Cover. Combined with the thermal properties of the double rotomolded design, I’ve found my Gunner kennels are set up to provide a comfortable spot for my dogs to rest in some pretty brutal conditions.
After a long day in the field, my dogs curl up on their orthopedic kennel pads and get a solid night of rest. They give me everything, every time…I owe them everything I can provide to make sure they’re well taken care of, fully rested, and ready to rock ‘n roll. Gunner provides solutions that give me confidence they’re safe, secure, and comfortable which I’m confident optimizes our time in the field.
Aim Small, Miss Small
I’ve always believed that if you do the little things right, the big things fall into place. Gunner’s focus on the little things reflects their commitment to building the best products for man’s best friend. Purpose-driven design elements that I’ve found to be extremely beneficial on the G1 kennels include solid tie down points, an oversized drain plug for quick and easy cleaning, true key-locked doors, rubber “feet” for enhanced stability, top/bottom backup locks, and a laundry list of fully integrated accessories to meet your unique needs.
Bottom Line
Gunner G1 kennels bring the best materials, American craftsmanship, an innovative design, and thoughtful features to a solid choice for wingshooters. The G1 kennel comes at a premium, as it should–it’s built to the extreme and brings a host of features not offered on other options in the market. Ultimately, the Gunner G1 kennel just works. I’m a wild bird hunter that wants a safe, secure, and comfortable solution for my dogs throughout the hunting season, and these kennels fit the bill.
Published Western Hunter Magazine - Spring 2025