Public Land hunting

[fishhead]

Last year my brother and I hunted the Williams Brothers Ranch.  I shot a 200 lb. boar while it was standing still.  My brother got a small sow that was chased by the dogs.  The boar tasted much better.

I have seen the Williams Brothers trashed here before, but we had a great time.

Also check on "Trophy" fees, they can double the cost of your hunt.

 

[QALHNTR]

I've mentioned him before - Nesson Schmidt out of King City has been a great guide service for the last 3 years.  Yes, he  runs dogs.  We average 10 hunters on our hunts yet only two or three actually shoot over the hounds.  Most of our shots are 75 - 150 yards.  Lots of fun and the crew is great.  We camp out on one of his ranches for about $400.00 per hunter.  He does offer nicer accomidations if needed.  Head guide Bill is one tough, long legged dude - he'll walk most of us into the ground.  Damn, I'm not going back until April.

(Edited by QALHNTR at 4:29 pm on Nov. 2, 2001)

 

[Slugblaster]

T-Bones near King City was a lot of fun. He has access to over 15000 acres. No trophy fees.

 

[Bwht4x4]

T-Bones guide service is one of the shadiest outfits out there.  Next time you see him ask him how many times the local warden has written him or how many times he's been investigated for fish and game violations.  Oh yah, doesn't he run dogs.  If so my previously mentioned theory is still holding true.

 

[Slugblaster]

When I was there 2 years ago, t-Bone had one mangy dog that he let go with his kid to find a big tusker that was shot but that was all. We were fed well and all 6 hunters got there pig. Lots of action lots of fun no complaints.

 

[huntducks]

Speckmisser

Did you get the e-mail I sent you?

 

[Speckmisser]

Got it, HuntDucks, thanks.

 

[WALKER HOG DOG]

I want to understand where exactly you guys (i.e. Bwht4x4) stand on hunting with hounds?  Are you trying to say that it isn't hunting or nearly as challenging as spot and stalk?

Please clarify so that I don't jump to conclusion in my response.

 

[Speckmisser]

Hey Hog Dog,

For my part, I personally don't care for it.  That doesn't mean I don't think anyone else should do it or enjoy it...just means I don't want to.

In my own opinion and in my own experience, the challenge isn't there at all.  The dogs do everything that I would do otherwise, and then some.  They find the track, they trail and push the animal, and apparently in many hog hunts, they either bay the animal or bring it down.  The hunter gets to administer a coup de grace, but that's about it.  I didn't like that.

I spent a lot of time hunting deer with hounds back in North Carolina, and I know the tradition and the sport pretty well.  I've killed a few deer in front of the dogs, including my very first.  But nothing will ever be as satisfying to me as putting my skills up against the animal and coming out ahead (which hardly ever happens with big game...statistically).  

I can see where folks would get excited about hunting with the dogs, though, especially the dog handlers.  When the dogs hit the hogs on my one and only hog hunt with hounds, it was pretty exciting.  The dogs went off, and I knew we were in the game.  I just didn't realize how it would end.

Also, as a lab owner, I'm pretty tickled when my girl handles a retrieve perfectly...and I'm sure that's similar to what a dog handler feels when his hound bays a good boar, or runs a nice buck.  

Bottom line is, I'm not knocking what anyone else enjoys.  And I don't judge someone else who likes to do something I don't like.