2025 Upland Season Prep: Get Ahead, Stay Ready

With upland season around the corner, now is the time to shift gears from dreaming to doing. Whether you live the bird dog lifestyle year-round or count down the weeks until that first crisp morning afield, it pays to start early and prepare with purpose.

No one ever regretted being prepared. So, let’s walk through a simple, organized approach to help you and your Epagneul Breton hit the ground running this upland season.

Pre-Season To-Do List

Start with a running list of things you need to prep before the opener. The bonus? You’ll get to think about bird hunting during the off-season, which makes planning far more enjoyable.

• Packing List – Whether it’s a day trip or a cross-country adventure, packing lists help prevent last-minute scrambles. Need inspiration for a packing list?

• Repairs – Fix that torn vest, patch your boots, clean your shotgun, refresh any gear that’s been collecting dust.

• Gear to Buy or Replace – Start now so you have time to break in boots, test new equipment, or shop around for deals. The earlier you buy, the less you overspend last-minute.

Dog and Handler Conditioning

Your Epagneul Breton is your teammate in the field — set them up for success.

• Conditioning

  • Assess your dog’s age, fitness, and skill level. Older dogs may need months to ease into shape, younger dogs can often get sharp in 30-45 days. Whether you prefer roading, using a bike, free runs, swimming or other conditioning plans, be sure you start your plan to be ready for your first hunt.

  • Start slow, gradually building endurance and toughening their pads.

  • Be mindful of heat — acclimation is key, but don’t push it.

And don’t forget yourself — your EB will give their all, so make sure you’re in shape to cover the miles they’ll lead you on.

• Nutrition

  • Ideally, your dog is on a high-performance diet year-round (30% protein, 20% fat or higher blend). Read an opinion piece on high performance diets for working dogs.

  • If adjustments are needed, focus on portion control, not drastic feed changes.

  • Key Nutrition Tips:

    • Don’t feed right before exercise — feed after cooldown or the evening prior.

    • Prioritize hydration, especially in the heat.

    • Maintain ideal body condition: ribs should be easy to feel, with a visible tuck at the waist.

    • Adult dogs typically do best on one feeding per day during hunting season; young or hard-keepers may need more.

    • Pheasants Forever has more details, click here.

• Vet Check

  • Book a preseason vet visit to get your dog cleared for action.

  • Update vaccines — especially if you’ll travel to new areas with different risks.

  • Time vaccinations so any minor reactions are done and gone before your first hunt.

• Field First Aid

  • Refresh your first aid kit for both dog and handler. Need a first aid kit?

  • Refresh yourself on basic first aid and remember post-hunt tailgate checks help catch little problems before they get bigger.

Plan for Hazards

From snakes to skunks, the uplands hold more than birds.

• Pack a skunk kit (peroxide, baking soda, dish soap — you’ll thank yourself later).

• Snake country? Consider avoidance training.

• Always carry a leash and cable cutters — better to have them and not need them.

Sharpen Your Shooting

You’ve done the scouting, the dog is dialed in… don’t let missed shots ruin the day.

• Dust off the clay target gear.

• Practice mounting and dry-fire drills safely at home.

• Take a lesson or challenge yourself with sporting clays.

Better shooting means more full game bags and less frustration.

Smarter Hunt Planning

Maximize every hunt by planning ahead:

• Use OnX or Google Maps to e-scout covers.

• Have a primary and backup spot ready.

• Touch base with hunting buddies before season opens — planning beats wasting half a day driving around looking for a Plan B.

Final Thoughts

Every hunter gets the off-season itch, but you don’t have to just wish away the summer. With some early planning, light conditioning, and smarter preparation, you can show up on opening day ready — not rusty.

Your dog will be sharper, your gear will be dialed, and you’ll hit the fields feeling confident. Even your hunting buddies who prefer “taking a break” will appreciate it when you’re organized, conditioned, and putting more birds in the bag.

Here’s to your best season yet — happy planning, happy training, and happy hunting.