Need advice..

[DD 444]

I would like to start hog hunting with dogs.So far all I have is a 2 month old plott pup.I have never been hog hunting with dogs and don't know how to get started.I have been reading alot on it but I am open minded on hog hunting.I would be thankful for any advice on how to get started.I will be hunting a WMA in northeast Ms. that is about 28,000 acres and has a big hog pop.I have tryed to post on some of the other hog hunting forums but knowone seems to want to help a new comer.Any advice or tips you could give me would be helpful.Thanks

dd444

 

[Cal hunter]

cant help on hunting with dogs but you might try posting in the hunting dog hound fourm.Good Luck

 

[bigtusker]

Hang in here for a while and you'll get some replies. There's quite a few folks on here that hog hunt with dogs. Also try doing a search on the subject, you might find a lot of old posts about it.

 

[DD 444]

Thanks Guys!!

 

[bayedsolid]

First off, if all you have is a 8 week old plott you might need to think about getting a couple more dogs. Easiest way is to start is to find someone to sell you a dog or two that are going good. That way you'll be catching hogs right off and you can use them to train the pups you have. Unless you are hunting areas that are full of hogs consistantly, it is pretty tough to make a go of it with just a pup. What if that pup turns out to be a cull? You'll have wasted a good year or so figuring that out. If you are turning him into a bayed hog you'll see right off what kind of dog he is and you won't have the problem of wondering if he was barking at a hog or trash.

 

[boarhunter67]

Bayedsolid knows what he is talking about. It's a lot easier to use trained dogs to train your puppies. Also, anytime you kill a hog, make sure you let your pups smell it so they learn what to sniff for.

 

[EvBouret]

Buy an experienced dog. Baydogs.com has a huge classifieds and I'm sure there are some close to you for sale. I trained my ridgeback pup all by herself. Just take her on walks where you know you'll bump into hogs. If the dog has any game, she'll chase and either learn to grab them or bay them. If the dog is a slow starter however, you'd want at least one more dog that knows what it is doing. HEre in Hawaii we hunt with about 6-12 dogs, they are all ranging catch dogs. In CA you're not allowed to stick the hogs with a knife so baydogs would be needed.

In fact...I'll bet you could make friends with some other hoghunters near you that'll let you tag along and bring your pup. That's another great way to train your dogs, who knows they could have some dogs they're trying to sell...

Good luck, and blade em in the armpit.

Evan

 

[DD 444]

Thanks guys,I am looking for a good started bay dog to start with.Is there anything I can do to help the pup until I find a started dog?

dd444

 

[RIFLEMAN]

Training a pup to hunt hogs can be challenging enough when you have been doing it for most of your life, but trying to do so without any experience is a mighty bold move.

My advice is a combination of the suggestions of others...
1. Educate Yourself - Get to know a hog hunter in your area. Us dog men can be mighty reclusive at times, but if you demonstrate a significant interest in the sport and the dogs and a willingness to shoulder some of the work, do more listening than talking, and don't act foolish or too much like a Pilgrim, you will likely be welcome to hunt with them on a regular to semi-regular basis. While on your way to and from the hunting area, ask as many questions as you think you can get away with without being too bothersome. When the dogs are released, regardless of whether or not they bark while in pursuit, do not ask questions or offer your insight. Let the hunter listen to or for his dogs (this is one of the more enjoyable aspects that we don't want interrupted by small talk), and let him be the one to explain the situation if he wants to. Keep up with him, do not get in his way nor get ahead of him. Consider yourself an active observer; there to help when needed but above all, there to learn everything you can about the sport. A few guidelines of Dog Man etiquette to keep in mind in order to stay in good graces:
Do not bring your pup or dog unless specifically asked to.
Never bring a dog you think may pick a fight or be coming into heat.
Do not bring other people unless specifically asked to.
Do not bring a firearm unless specifically asked to.
Do not load nor fire the firearm until specifically told to.
As mentioned before, enjoy the silence while the hunter is listening for or to, his dogs.
Do not hunt areas (public or private) that the hunter was the first to show you unless you are with him or he has given you his blessing.

Remember, dog men are often independent and reclusive, but bad impressions of someone will travel very fast and hurt your chances of being able to hunt with others.

This process will allow you to become familiar with the sport, the intricacies of handling and hunting dogs, and the challenges of using dogs to pursue hogs. You may know the habits of hogs, and know about dogs, but there will be A LOT to learn when attempting to combine the two.

Once you have a basic understanding of the principles and mechanics of the sport, you should consider purchasing a finished dog. Doing so will facillitate your continued education by allowing you to see how the "finished product" works so you know what to shoot for with your pup, and provide you with the continous opportunity to learn about all aspects of hunting hogs with dogs. I have bought a couple pups and dogs from baydog.com and regard it as a good source for finished dogs. Beware of the lemons and recruit the advice of the hunter you have buddied up with before committing to the purchase. Insist on trialing the dog so that you can take the dog out for a two-week test drive.

2. Educate Your Dog - Finding a broke finished dog will provide the pup with a mentor to emulate. One of the most important components of training is exposure. You should plan on taking your dogs out on a very regular basis if you want your pup to have a chance at making it to the big leagues. There are volumes and volumes of things to learn when trying to train a dog to pursue big game and much of it will be trial and error as you continue to understand the sport for yourself. I can't begin to try to capture all the tricks, tips, and guidelines for training your pup, so I will have to call it quits at this point. You may want to spend some time in the Hound forum, as this topic has been addressed before.

Good luck and have fun. Should you decide to buy a dog and stick with it, you will come to understand how owning hounds is not a hobby or sport, but a lifestyle.

 

[DD 444]

Thanks Rifleman,You said {Good luck and have fun. Should you decide to buy a dog and stick with it, you will come to understand how owning hounds is not a hobby or sport, but a lifestyle.}
That was well said I am not new to hounds.I have 14 walkers that I deer hunt with in Ms. we can deer hunt with dogs.And I have been doing so sents I was 12 years old.But this hog hunting is new to me and I have alot to learn about it.I had a man email me wanting to sell me his pack of hog dogs at a good price.But I turned him down!He didn't want to let me see what the dogs would do in the woods or pen.His words were there will be NO trail on these dogs.I am new to hog hunting but not to dog hunting or dog tradeing.I felt if his dogs were really as good as he said he wouldn't mind a trail.

DD 444

 

[RIFLEMAN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

I am not new to hounds.[/b]

Well, why didn't you say so in the first place! You've got a lot of odds on your side. You already know hounds, so now you need to know hogs and hunting them with hounds.

You were right not to buy the guy's dogs. If he was not willing to sell them on trial, or allow you to hunt them with him, there must be something he doesn't want you to find out until after he has your money.

Check with baydog.com, or talk to some local hoghunters for some available broke dogs. In the meantime, you may want to try to take your pup to a baypen (place where a captive hog is used to train dogs) to provide him with some exposure to your intended quarry. You may also consider laying some hog drags for your pup to familiarize him with running a track.