The RetrieverTraining.Net Forums The Retriever Academy Dogs Afield Total Retriever Training with Mike Lardy
Hawkeye Media Gunners Up Tritronics Gun Dog Broker
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Winter training

  1. #1
    Member Jeff Brezee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    SE MN
    Posts
    40

    Default Winter training

    I have a question for the folks who train in the snow. I'm shopping for wingers now and was wondering if I can use them during the winter months in MN? What is the coldest weather you would use them? Is it ok below freezing?

    Thanks
    Jeff Brezee

    Brezee Oak's Brother Bear SH

  2. #2
    Senior Member Mike Peters-labguy23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    1,030

    Default

    Coldest I have used mine was around 20. They did not throw as far in the winter as they did in the summer. I have Zinger II's.
    Mike Peters

  3. #3

    Default

    I use BB most cold weather. If inside of the bumper gets wet BB will fizzle.
    HRCH Scaupgetters Tarnation QAA
    HR Blackie 2 GNC, WCI
    Yorkton's Ironwood Chief

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Posts
    133

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Brezee View Post
    I have a question for the folks who train in the snow. I'm shopping for wingers now and was wondering if I can use them during the winter months in MN? What is the coldest weather you would use them? Is it ok below freezing?

    Thanks

    Short answer.... NO

    Will they work below freezing - very close to the marginal/cutoff temperature. You'll find the winger may work once or twice but the bands will lose elasticity and fail to contract - they stretch out & just stay there - stretched out & limp... I'm not certain what the cutoff temperature is - I know when it's in the 30's they'll still suffice - I'd guess somewhere around 25 they fall off dramatically & somewhere near or just below there they're unusable.


    SMO
    SMO

  5. #5
    Senior Member scully's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Two Rivers WI
    Posts
    268

    Default

    I train all year and have used my GU SOG in temps down to 15. They dont toss a bird like in summer but they do work.

  6. #6
    Member Blueline's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Clinton, WI
    Posts
    54

    Default

    I was using my wingers last week in WI. They worked OK, but like Mike and scully said they do not throw birds/bumpers as far compared to using them in the warmer weather. The bands just don't have as much loading power in the cold weather.
    Three Rivers Ice Breaker JH - ICE

  7. #7
    Senior Member Howard N's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Anchorage, AK
    Posts
    7,394

    Default

    20 give or take a few degrees is the cutoff for the rubberbands. Pro Controls from Tri Tronics don't work very well at those temps either. Damn lucky to get one to go off at 50 yards at 20 degrees. Most of them won't work at 20 degrees. Hell, some of them won't even work at 45 degrees. Big shock when I realized that.
    Howard Niemi

    "you don't get trapping advice from a trapper with no pelts on his wall" from Guy Burnett via Marvin Sundstom in 2013

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Idaho
    Posts
    2,392

    Default

    My wingers work fine below zero. Bands are about 7 or so years old.
    Pete
    Last edited by Pete; 01-22-2013 at 11:30 PM.
    Eph 4:14
    That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    241

    Default

    I use my wingers up here in Alberta, but the cold does have an effect on them. The bands do not have the same elasticity, so they don't throw as far. As well the batteries in the remote releases tend to die pretty quick in the freezing temps.

  10. #10
    Member Jeff Brezee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    SE MN
    Posts
    40

    Default

    Thanks, I appreciate the responses.
    Jeff Brezee

    Brezee Oak's Brother Bear SH

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •