What do your dogs do when you're hunting big game?

[labnoti]

I'm applying for tags this year and thinking about the Fall. I'll be introducing two boys to deer hunting this year, possibly some other game depending on tag draw. It's been many years since I've hunted anything but birds, and I have a dog now. He's a big dog, athletic, very experienced in the wilderness, but he's not a deer dog if there is such a thing. I mean, I think his breed is actually descended from Scottish Deerhounds, but I'm pretty sure that's irrelevant to hunting with a rifle. I have no intention of using him to do the hunting and he would be of no use for that purpose. But for the sake of legality, there are no restrictions on dogs in my state except that dogs cannot be used to pursue bear or cougar except in open season with a license and the respective tag.

He's very quiet in the field -- I mean he's absolutely silent in terms of vocals, but he can still make a lot of noise with his feet and panting. Even if I convince him to be sneaky, there's still his scent.

Hunting for us probably means a day driving, three or four days hunting, and another day driving back. We have units nearer but tags are scarce. So I'm not willing to leave him home alone that long. That means he's either staying in camp or by the 4x4 or coming hunting with us. I think I'd rather find him something to do that won't interfere with the hunt in any way, but not sure what that will be.

I'm looking for what your experience has taught you.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That means he's either staying in camp or by the 4x4 or coming hunting with us

In my state running deer with dogs isn't legal, but if you were caught deer hunting with a dog along, you'd get cited. You might want to inquire about the DNR policy. Some states would have to actually see the dog chasing the deer, others, all that would be needed would be for the dog to be with you.

Besides, I was taught that the meat from a spooked deer, that's been running a short while, is very tough and not very tasty, due to the adrenaline. Aging it won't help. Seems to be true as I've had venison from deer that were run off of one farm by some foxhounds that couldn't decide to chase the deer or the fox, and they went right past my buddy's spot on the next farm over..., chased the deer maybe a couple hundred yards. Pretty easy shot as they almost ran my buddy over.

I think you're going to need to leave him in camp. On the other hand if you have more than one tag to fill..., first hunter that fills one of the tags gets to hang out with the dog the rest of the time.

LD

 

[LoonWulf]

I've hunted with a dog along, and not actively hunting. It's easier if they hunt with you rather than are just "there" but that can be made to work as well.

I second the advice to check and see what your state thinks of hunting with a dog. Here there are places dogs can't go, and some where if you want to go shooting with anything smaller than a magnum revolver, you NEED to have a dog.

 

[Patocazador]

In Florida you can have a dog with you to follow up wounded game. It has to be on a leash.

I have tried tethering my dog nearby while on a deer stand and she presents no problems because she is trained as a non-slip retriever. However, I have seen deer alerted when they got close to the stand. Whether they scented me or my dog, I can't say.

She is a tremendous help to have with while scouting as she will alert if there is fresh deer scent in an area or on a trail. I would suggest bring your dog with while scouting and see if he can help you in that regard. Scottish deer hounds were bred for chasing deer so better keep a leash on him.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

In the South we have used dogs for decades to hunt deer. Many clubs around the country. I have used a single beagle many times to jump a buck in thick cover especially when bedded down. Great at pickuping up fresh scent. I had one that was exceptional.

 

[MCgunner]

Mine stays at or in the house. I have a dog run, if I need it, to hook her to. Mine's a Lab, good retriever and loves to hunt, but she's not needed on deer or hogs. She goes crazy when I trap a pig, though. "LET ME IN THERE, DADDY. I'll take care of him!" LOL Dog don't know her limitations.

 

[Milt1]

It seems to me that the humane thing to do is to board your dogs while you are on the hunting trip. If you take the dog with you and it gets loose and chases a deer you'll probably never see it again. Likewise if you are on a deer stand and the dog is tethered nearby it will probably alert deer either by movement or by smell. If you have to take the dog with you it probably needs to be tethered in camp or otherwise you'll face some of the problems that I alluded to earlier.

 

[Varminterror]

Board the dog, have a neighbor kid “house sit” and stay at your place or come by to feed and let the dog out a few times a day, or at least leave it secured at camp. It’ll be nothing but an opportunity for detriment on your hunt.

That being said as someone who almost always has a dog by my side, and a family breeder with many national titles to our credit. They aren’t many, but there are times and places where man’s best friend, isn’t. Deer hunting in any form except dogging or driving is a place where they don’t belong.

 

[labnoti]

thanks for the advice so far.... just to clarify, my State has no regulations about dogs for deer, just that the pursuit of lion or bear with them requires a hunting license and tag (basically lest people think that it would be legal to pursue them without a license since they don't have a gun). But again, my dog cannot be used to hunt deer in any way, not any more than a dalmatian could put out a house fire. His breed is not Scottish deerhound, but that very old breed contributed to a lot of other breeds that have none of their hounding qualities. My dog has been with me in the wilderness around many, many deer, bear, coyote, beaver, and on and on and he's never been a problem -- BUT, I was not hunting anything at the time. I think for the sake of keeping my life simple, I'll probably have him stay in camp.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I use a radio perimeter collar. It plugs into 110 AC. You could place one at camp and the dog will have free roam of about a city lot.

 

[Patocazador]

I use a radio perimeter collar. It plugs into 110 AC.

Is there a way to get 110 AC out in the woods?

 

[Mike .45]

Dog stays home with the wife. Dogs for big game is illegal in WA.

 

[jmorris]

Chew on furniture and otherwise make me angry, when I get back home. I made it 25 years, from the point my wife wanted an (inside) dog before I caved.

To this day she says when I said, “that’s a bad idea”, that that’s the only time I have been right. At least the thing will likely out live me...,

 

[jmorris]

Is there a way to get 110 AC out in the woods?

I use 12 volt dc power inverters, you can run them from some solar or batteries but most stuff is low voltage DC anyway so solar direct with the right connections might be better, as there is almost always a loss converting.

 

[jmr40]

It would have to be a WELL trained dog to take hunting and not cause problems. But I've seen some that could pull it off. Depending on state laws it could also be problematic. Maybe not, but I'd check with the agency in the state where you plan to hunt. Personally I'd not have a problem with it if you're dog can pull it off.

Deer hunting with dogs is still practiced in parts of the south. I was able to participate in a dog hunt in a Mississippi swamp years ago. It isn't what most people imagine. We were hunting on a 50-100 acre island accessed by boat. The hunters were positioned on one end of the island and the dogs, (beagles) were set out on the other end. They don't really chase the deer. But the dogs barking and moving toward the other end of the island didn't allow the deer to just bed down in the thickest parts of the swamp. None of the deer I saw (unfortunately all does) were running. They were casually walking away from the dogs who could be heard off in the distance. They would stop and feed as they moved so they weren't particularly worried.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

He sleeps in the treestand with me

 

[BigBore44]

Having a dog at camp is fine. But I’d never leave one tethered. Even big dogs (with the exception of mastiff breeds and Argentina dogos) are pretty easy prey for cougars or big bears. I’d rather my dog ruin a deer hunt than come back to camp and have lost a life long companion. No deer is worth my dog.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

My wife's dog sleeps on the bed with her while I'm in a tree stand hunting deer. If I return successful I'll get the dog a few bites of the meat when we grill it up.