Using a Lab for pig hunting

[pitdog]

I'm a little frustrated. I've been scouting / hunting this area with lots of fresh sign for over a month with no sighting. I've figured out their patterns and know approx. where they bed, but these guys are strictly nocturnal (and smart). Before I bust the beds and scare them off for good, I want to run the dog.

I have a 100lb yellow that loves to chase game. He barks like a hound when he has something cornered. I don't know if labs are smart enough to know the danger. I wouldn't want him to get killed or lost so I thought I would ask some of the experts here if they had any experience with using labs on pig hunts. Or if you think it's just a bad idea (or not sportsmanlike).

Thanks for the input.

 

[DILPRXO]

IMHO..bad idea... I did a guided pig hunt with dogs once..got my biggest hog ever with..287lbs field dressed...very exciting in one hand...very sad in another.. he killed two dogs and slashed another badly..they got too far ahead of the guides and myself and he turned on them..they were pitbull /hound crosses..but I still feel horrible for what happened to those dogs and that was in 1991.. I couldn't recomend it in good conscience.

 

[EVAN III]

Hey Steve, Let me know were these bushes are, and I'll go in there and chase them out for you!!

Hell, I'll even bark if you want...... *LOL*

 

[grtwythunter]

I've heard alot of stories about hog dogs getting torn up and killed in the heat of the battle. Probably not something you'd want to subject your duck buddy to.
Scott

 

[Hoghunter]

Pitdog
1 dog is not enough to chase pigs like DILPRO said the hog they chased killed 2 and cut 1.If your going to hunt hogs with dogs you should have at least 3 that work as a team IMO.
Good Hunting Hoghunter

 

[SDHNTR]

Thats right there's no point to running hogs with just one dog. All issues of danger aside (and there's no way I'd risk my lab pig hunting), the pig will likely outrun and/or outmanuver the dog. You really need at least 3 to hunt hogs effectively.

 

[wyokid]

DON'T TAKE YOUR LAB PIG HUNTING WITH YOU. PROHUNTER AND I HAVE CHASED A LOT OF PIGS WITH OUR DOGS. ALL QUEENSLAND CROSSES, FAST AS LIGHTNING WHEN FIGHTING. THAT TO ME IS THE MAIN REASON NOT TO TAKE YOUR LAB, NOT TO SAY HE IS LETHARGIC BUT YOU WILL FIND THE PIGS TO BE AWFUL QUICK WHILE FIGHTING. ONE DOG WOULD NOT BE MY CONCERN, I HAVE A 50 LB QUEENSLAND THAT WILL SIT ANY PIG DOWN ON HIS BUTT. BUT IT IS SAFER FOR THE DOGS IN NUMBERS. I'M WITH EVANIII I USUALLY GO IN AFTER THEM.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

 

[pitdog]

Thanks guys. I guess that post was some what rhatorical (sp). I have heard stories about using dogs and wasn't sure what breed they used.

I guess I'm stuck with EvanIII. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Hell, I'll even bark if you want...[/b]

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

The guys are right on. I wouldnt risk having your lab injured. You wanna run at least 3 dogs while pig hunting. I also thinking taking your lab out there on a "Trial Run" is not a good idea when your using a "solo" dog, he might get caught up in a dangerous situation. Time to break out the 44 and bust some brush. GoodLuck.

 

[WildBird]

Went on a guided pig hunt a few years ago. We harvested a nice trophy boar on a spot and stalk hunt in fairly open hilly country. I asked the guide (19 yrs old) about using a dog. He said it was way too easy unless on an archery hunt or when he and his dad contracted out to property owners or DFG as depridation hunters. He told me they had several Rat Terriers that would locate and run the pigs until they stopped, then run circles around them and begin to bark until he could get there and dispatch the porker. They wouldn't directly engage the pig and were extremely fast on their feet, and none had been injured. He claimed the dogs could even climb trees if they had to (great idea!). Think I would keep my dogs in the truck on that one. WB

 

[RIFLEMAN]

Wildbird,

I agree with the other guys 100% when they advise not running hogs with your Lab. I believe in using the right tool for the right job. A Lab is a duck dog, not a hog dog. That is not what he has been bred for and the chances are better than average that his individual genetics and character are not enough to be all that successful. The chances of him getting killed are far too high.

However guys, I disagree with the assertion that one dog cannot catch hogs. I have had many hogs caught by just one of my dogs. My theory is that the hog is MORE likely to stop after a relatively short race and stay bayed because there is only one dog barking at it. It feels less threatened, and therefore less pressuredd to break bay and therefore is more likely to stay in one spot.

Of course, this has the potential to be much more dangerous for the dog because it has 100% of the hog's attention directed at it. However, I have seen a "gang mentality" with dogs. When they are bayed on a hog, they feed off of each other's excitement and are more likely to go in and try to catch the hog, thereby increasing their chances of injury or death. One dog is usually more content to stand back and bark because it knows that it is all alone. I have had more dogs hurt in the company of other dogs than a dog all by itself. In fact, I have never had a dog hurt or killed when it had a hog bayed all by itself.

I can attest to Wildbird's post. I hunt a little Jack Russell with my hounds that is absolute he** on them hogs. He is very quick and has never been injured on a bayed hog or bear.\

 

[boarbuster]

we usually run three catahoulas and use a pit to catch with. i would not take a lab out. but i have to say one dog can will catch hogs.

 

[QALHNTR]

Welcome to JHP Boarbuster!

I've hunted behind Catahoulas twice - what a great dog for hogs. Most of 'em had some sort of scar or missing eyeball from previous hog encounters.

But, they could hardly wait to get out of the truck & start tracking. I'd NEVER bring my lab. Keep your lab for the ducks Pitdog.

 

[pitdog]

I knew it was a bad Idea

I was a little ticked off a Jake when I started the thread

.
Just wanted to see if anyone would kick my but if they found out I ran my (bad) dog Jake after the pigs... YES THEY WOULD.LOL

 

[QALHNTR]

Steve,

Maybe old Marty would let you use his Lab/Pit Bull/Shepard/?? mix breed for a test run.

 

[Maverick]

Evan,
I have already been out with Steve after pigs. There is no way that he will let you chase after he pigs. As soon as signs are found he drops to all fours and takes off barking. You will be the one hunting at this point. Steve was doing great till he came a across tree and lifted his leg!

 

[pitdog]

Chris,
That's right...Pitdog is a heck of a dog!!! That's why I don't take my lab duck hunting anymore. I'M BETTER THAN THAT LAZY, STUPID, POOR EXCUSE FOR AN $850.00 DOG!!!

lol

I'm sorry... was I out of control again?

I haven't had the time needed to train my dog to what I demand in a retriever / flusher.

I had a Y- Lab that was world class and he died of cancer 4 years ago. His name was Jack and I have yet to see a Bird Dog that could come close to his hunting skills. I guess I'm hard on Ding Bat...ooops.. I mean Jake (the 7th wonder) since I've had the best dang dog (Jack) that ever lived.

Jack, rest in peace my friend.

 

[EVAN III]

Chris, That's too funny. I haven't had a chance yet, but if I ever need a pitdog to flush some pigs out for me he'll be the first I call.*LOL*

Steve, If your only tring to get me to go duck hunting so I can dive in and get your birds, well let me just say I CAN'T SWIM!!! OK yes I can, but only when the boat sinks *LOL*

I'm still up for barking at pigs, but you best have your ear plugs in, because the bark of my .454 Casull can get a little loud. I'll let you know about the duck hunt in Imperial or where ever it is. I'll probly give you a call.

 

[pitdog]

Evan,
Are you going to POR in March. Westy, PaulC and I are most likely going on this one.

 

[EVAN III]

Steve, I was thinkin more along the lines of the april POR. It's not set in stone yet though. I'll let you know.