Advice for bringing your dog on a hunt

[DuckDogDr]

I have a male yorkie i have promised over and over that I'll take hunting . Im worried about somthing snatching him up. Hes an excellent hunter and is bad News on squirrels . He'll sit still

Seen the results of this a few times. Mostly from owls. Man they are ViCSCOUS . Worse than any dog vs dog or dog vs cat. ALOT more internal damage … always

Biggest dog I have seen attacked by an owl was a smaller sized beagle.
Talons went into the chest punctured a lung and on the Back half of the body managed to some how rip the kidney off the body wall.

There’s one stalking my chihuahua now… he isn’t let out at night anymore

 

[Cervid]

For those that bring your dogs on big game hunts, are you at all concerned about violating the rules on not using dogs to hunt big game? Or even if you do think you’re within the bounds of the rule, encountering a game warden who disagrees?

 

[Hoghead]

In California it's 1 dog per deer tag if I remember correctly. I always have 2 dogs with me. I have not been questioned by a warden. I think they would have to prove you were using them to hunt. It's not against any rules to have dogs with you in the woods. But you should check your local regs.

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[Cervid]

In California it's 1 dog per deer tag if I remember correctly. I always have 2 dogs with me. I have not been questioned by a warden. I think they would have to prove you were using them to hunt. It's not against any rules to have dogs with you in the woods. But you should check your local regs.

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I would think the presumption would be that you are using them to hunt if you have your hunting equipment on you. Also, anyone who has walked with a dog in the woods knows that they provide a lot of info useful to hunting even if they are just walking by your side. So just having a dog with you is probably aiding your hunt.

 

[Hoghead]

True, but they have the burden of proof. Assumptions don't hold up in court. I have come across quite a few wardens and never had a problem. It probably depends a lot on the warden you encounter and how the law is written. I have tracking collars on my dogs, and Bear Hunting with dogs is not legal in California. I had a warden ask about bears. I told him I don't get a bear tag so I can bring my dogs with me. There was no problem.

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[Dogone]

My lab came on all my hunts. Birds of all kinds, she was great. On big game she just walked beside me and would only look at the deer or antelope and never move. She knew what I was hunting by the gun I carried. Not kidding, her attitude changed according to the gun.

 

[Preston]

I normally take my dog and he has tracked up a deer and bull elk I shot last fall. I like having him around camp.

 

[S.Clancy]

For those that bring your dogs on big game hunts, are you at all concerned about violating the rules on not using dogs to hunt big game? Or even if you do think you’re within the bounds of the rule, encountering a game warden who disagrees?

If I had hounds maybe I would be worried, but with 2 idiotic bird dogs no. Especially not when they are wearing packs or their princess puffy vests....

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Brought him on his first hunt, he’s a year old so his training isn’t as tight as I’d like it yet, but it was a great first outing. He mostly listened and didn’t do anything stupid

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Anyone make their dog pack out some meat? It wouldn’t be my MO but carrying out 10-30lbs can be meaningful in a pinch.

 

[buffybr]

I've taken one of my golden Retrievers with me on most of my hunts here at home for almost 50 years. Things that I take with me for them include a leash that I can quickly attach to a bush if I need to tie them when I take the shot, water and food for them, and my Leatherman pliers to remove cactus thorns or porcupine quills. I have had one of my Goldens right by my side when I've shot many deer, elk, antelope, and one of my moose and bighorn rams.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I've taken one of my golden Retrievers with me on most of my hunts here at home for almost 50 years. Things that I take with me for them include a leash that I can quickly attach to a bush if I need to tie them when I take the shot, water and food for them, and my Leatherman pliers to remove cactus thorns or porcupine quills. I have had one of my Goldens right by my side when I've shot many deer, elk, antelope, and one of my moose and bighorn rams.

That UL photo has to be one of the best ever taken.

 

[Hoghead]

My dogs pack there food and bedding. I have never had them pack out meat.

Anyone make their dog pack out some meat? It wouldn’t be my MO but carrying out 10-30lbs can be meaningful in a pinch.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

My dogs pack there food and bedding. I have never had them pack out meat.

What pack do you use, most of the ones I’ve seen can barely cover food for 2-3 nights

 

[Hoghead]

Mountain smith. They carry a combination of freeze-dried dog food and kibble. Most of my trips are 3-4 days. When we go for longer, we usually do 8-10 and have a packer take in our supplies, and we hike in. The dogs also get leftovers on the short trips too. They are spoiled and don't eat much dog food unless there is some peak refule pored over it. I use collapsible water bowls for their food also.

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[johnnycake]

Anyone make their dog pack out some meat? It wouldn’t be my MO but carrying out 10-30lbs can be meaningful in a pinch.

I looked into this pretty seriously when my 8yr old was just a pup, as I was getting pretty into ultralightweight for mountain hunts. But for me, it became really clear that the extra 5-10% bodyweight packing capacity that the dog could technically handle wasn't worth the extra wear and tear on the dog's joints.