hunting dogs

[killzone]

I have always wanted a hunting dog, and finally convinced my wife! So I am really looking for one. I usually hunt big game and if you guys can help me with choosing a fine dog that would be nice. what to look for and what are some good breeds for big game bear & hog ect.

 

[yorec]

Big game hunting over dogs is not unusual, but not if your talking deer, moose and elk... Elk and Moose are not legally pursued by hounds and only a few states allow deer. Hogs, bear, and mountain lion are what you're in for but I'm not sure what MN allows. Lots to learn and lots of work, but the rewards are equally ponderous.

I run Redbone Coonhounds. Have had Black and Tans and Redticks too - the individual dog and his talent/personality is more important than his color.

Do a search on hounds - there are hundreds of sights catering to the houndsman out there. I like Coodhound Central and Coondawgs.com myself but they are dominated by coon hunters and big game folks are a little outnumbered there. But there's still a lot to be learned from 'em!

Check out the AKC and UKC sites. UKC is the preferable organization for coon hounds - AKC just recently (last spring) started recognizing them. Loads of info there too...

 

[fisherman66]

I have little experience outsite bird hunting, that said German Shorthairs are amazing and extremely versitile.

I hope you realize how much time you must invest in this endevour. I'd suggest some serious research on the topic. Use the shock collar sparingly. A "blinking" dog is usually ruined. Start with basic commands that are unrelated to hunting to build a raport. Let instincts guide the initial segway to hunting. No or very few correctives early in the learning part of hunting. Use an even voice at all times. Whistle train early. This may be the most rewarding aspect of hunting you will ever have. Actually hunting kind of takes a back seat to working the dogs for years and becomes more enjoyable than the actual hunting forever.

 

[crawfish]

The kind of dog to get really depends on what you want to do with it. Deer, bear, and pigs are usually run with a pack of dogs not just one dog. Plus that kind of “hunting” is more geared toward a group of hunters rather that just one. It seems that you are looking to get just one dog, if that is the case you should look to a blood-trailing dog. Labs are good at that so are Brits and Golden Retrievers. On top of all these decisions your choice will be dependent of weather the dog will be a companion/hunter, hunter, housedog, outside dog, family with kids. You also have to decide if you will try to train yourself or invest in having it trained by a professional trainer. So you see you have much homework before you bring that puppy into you life. Lastly are you sure that MN allows the use of dogs for big game, many states don't.

 

[killzone]

good one

These are all very useful watchout points that will help me pick a dog. I will be concidering all of them. By the way there are areas that is Ok to hunt with dogs in MN but not for deer.

I found a real interesting dog "anatolian Sephard " It is aarger dog but it is supposed to be very smart and strong. Its not a hunting dog but I've met a few people that hunt bear with it in Russia and Turkey. I will be doing my home work about this and I realize how big of a comitment this is.

Ps- I'll be hunting black bears

 

[Oldnamvet]

Some of the most fun times I have ever had hunting with dogs is chasing rabbits with a pair of beagles. They are small and really a family dog. More than once a spouse has fell in love with the beagle and before you know it there was a kennel of other dogs too.

 

[fisherman66]

I have heard of that kind of sheperd, but more so in regards to protecting livestock. If they have a nose and the trailing instict it may work. I'd suggest finding some bear hunters in the area and learning how and what dogs they use. It would be invaluable to have some friends in this venture. A guide may be able to put you in contact (a small finder's fee could be applied - maybe.)

My father-in-law lives to work dogs. He takes great pains to research the blood lines. His time is to valuable to work with debreeded (dogs breed without the original purpose of the breed) dogs. A puppy from a current bear hunter could be worth two to three times what some non-sporting breeder is worth. I'm not saying you'd have to pay that much. That's what I'd pay to have a better chance of having a hunter.

This is an expensive hobby and takes quite a commitment, but it will change the way you view hunting. It is almost like using primitive weapons. The bond between man and dog is prehistoric. For thousands of years dogs have been the primary weapons for hunters. I often just walk and marvel at how the dogs work. It takes years to arrive at this juntion though. I'm now watching the second generation of our hunting dogs come into the zone of true hunters.

<edit> Actually I guess it is the third generation from puppy to having puppies. Man, time flies.

 

[pauli]

Big game hunting over dogs is not unusual, but not if your talking deer, moose and elk... Elk and Moose are not legally pursued by hounds and only a few states allow deer.

from what i can find in the rules booklet (which is to say, i'm probably wrong about this), in the portions of va where you can hunt deer with dogs, should you encounter elk (which you won't), all methods legal for taking deer are legal for taking elk - you can go ahead and hunt it with the dogs.

unless they left something out, or i missed something.

 

[41 Redhawk]

The areas in VA that are legal to hunt deer with dogs do not have any elk. The elk are over in the western part of the state, close to the border. Deer hunting with dogs is limited to the eastern part of the state.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

My brother and a gang he hunts with runs Plots and Blue Ticks for bear. Some of the best dogs I've seen. However, the plots can be a tad bit on the tempormental side. No wait, they can be downright mean.