produces products with seamless parts and uniform wall
thicknesses. In recent years, we’ve seen this cost effective
method applied to more and more outdoor products such as
coolers, kayaks, storage containers and cases for firearms and
bows. Rotomolding has also been used to construct dog travel
kennels. Here’s a look at two of the most recently introduced
models.
Built in the U.S., Gunner’s G1 Kennel comes in four sizes
and is the only double-wall rotomolded dog kennel available.
As a result, it is tightly constructed and feels as sturdy as a
tank. It’s the only kennel to have earned a 5-Star rating from
the Center for Pet Safety (for videos and test results: http://www.
centerforpetsafety.org).
The KennelUP from Primos Hunter is built using single-
wall construction, and so it is decisively lighter. Otherwise, the
two kennels share nearly identical features.- Carry handles – Heavy-duty, screwed in
- Tie-down points – KennelUP: aluminum, screwed into the
kennel body; G1: stainless steel rods added to the body
corners during the molding process, thus, built-in - Door – KennelUp: hard plastic, locking, reversible; G1:
custom welded, powder-coated, reinforced aluminum frame,
reversible - Drains – Built in
- Vents – KennelUP: adjustable; G1: nonadjustable, designed to
repel elements - Nonslip rubber feet – Great gripping action: Neither kennel
slides easily - Weight – KennelUP: 37 pounds; G1 Intermediate model: 48
pounds - Decision factors – KennelUP: weight; G1: free shipping, solid
construction
For testing purposes, we requested the Intermediate model
of the G1 ($599.99), based on its exterior measurements. We
wanted to see if two would fit side by side in a late model
Chevy Suburban. They will. Also, the KennelUp fits easily
beside the G1 with about 4 to 5 inches of cargo area width to
spare.
In function, the kennels are the same. They are meant
to take the place of traditional wire or plastic kennels for
transporting dogs. While they will obviously work fine inside
the cargo area of an SUV, their tie-down points seem to indicate
both manufacturers designed with “pickup trucks” in mind.
In “feel,” with its double-wall construction, G1 is
simply heftier, a fact borne out by its weight compared to
the KennelUP. Gunner claims that the G1’s double-wall
construction helps keep out the heat in hot weather and to repel
the cold in cold weather. On the other hand, the KennelUp
does everything the G1 does, just in a lighter-weight version.
Its adjustable vents help to moderate temperature swings. We
transport two dogs and are confident that each is comfortable
and safe in whichever of those two kennels she chooses for a
particular ride.A Closer Look
Continued on page 56produced the green-up and nesting cover needed for our chukars
and Huns,” said Jeff Knetter, game bird coordinator with the
Idaho Fish and Game Department. Michelle Kemner, regional
biologist for Idaho’s southwest region, echoed Knetter’s
sentiment. “While flying elk surveys over the Brownlee
Reservoir area, we saw lots of chukars and Huns,” she said.
“The Huns especially appeared to have an excellent carryover
from last year, and I was encouraged by what we saw.”
Montana – “We had normal winter precipitation over
much of eastern Montana,” said Ken Plourde, upland game bird
habitat specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. “Because
early winter was mild, our upland birds went into late winter
with good fat reserves, so we didn’t see much winter mortality.
A late-April snowstorm in northeastern Montana may have
disrupted early nesting,” he said, “but we don’t think the storm
had a significant impact.”
New Mexico – “We had abundant moisture last winter,”
said Casey Cardinal, game bird biologist with the Department
of Game and Fish. “After a banner year four years ago, our
scaled quail have been down a bit, but we’re looking for
stronger numbers this year.”
Nevada – Shawn Espinosa, upland game specialist with the
Department of Wildlife, is optimistic about the fall bird hunting
prospects. “Our winter snowpack was 150 to 170 percent of
normal,” he said, “so we’re expecting a nice recovery in chukar
and quail numbers after last year’s extremely dry spring and
summer. Unfortunately, we had higher than normal winter
mortality for sage grouse in northwestern Nevada, so that’s the
one downside to an otherwise bright outlook.”
Oregon – “Thanks to a moist spring, we had excellent
habitat conditions throughout most of our chukar range going
into nesting season,” said Mikal Cline, upland game bird
coordinator for the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “That
plant growth also meant lots of bugs for chicks and poults.
We’re expecting a good year for chukars and Huns, probably
similar to last year,” she said. “Although our pheasant range has
contracted in recent decades, production and harvest was up last
year, a trend we expect to see continue this year.”
Utah – Moisture in Utah was generally good prior to
nesting season, with only a small percentage of the state showing
drought conditions. Top pheasant areas should be the east shore
of Great Salt Lake as well as the Cache Valley. Chukar numbers
have shown steady improvement in recent years and hunters can
look forward to another successful season.
Washington – “We had a mild winter with no significant
bird mortality,” said Sarah Kindschuh, small game specialist
with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Thanks to last
winter’s mild weather, we’re expecting chukar numbers to be up
this fall. Pheasants are doing well where we still have habitat,
and we also release pen-raised birds on wildlife areas, mostly in
the western part of the state.”
Wyoming – “Thanks to late spring blizzards, we had a
very green spring,” said Leslie Schreiber, sage grouse biologist
with Wyoming Game and Fish. “Those storms may have delayed
sage grouse breeding a week or two but shouldn’t have done
serious harm. We’ve seen a downswing in sage grouse numbers
the last three years, so it might take a few years of better moisture
conditions to get our grouse numbers back up again.”
The Scout
Continued from page 41
A Closer Look
Continued from page 49