Bowhunting with Dog

[jlw0142]

I understand that regs could be an issue, but I am strictly concerned with the feasibility of the activity, not the regs. I’d love to hear opinions on archery hunting elk, deer, etc with a dog as a companion. This dog would be extremely well-trained and leashed on trail, I assure you. My wife is concerned about me solo hunting and I feel like a dog would really alleviate some of that stress and would give me some peace of mind too. I plan to get some pack goats too, so I thought maybe the dog could help look after the goats in camp? Any thoughts or opinions will be well-received. Just brainstorming. Thanks!

 

[Jimmy]

I've thought about this too. It sure would have to be a well trained dog.

I would have to change how I hunted sometimes though. I go up some steep places, and sharp rocks sometimes, idk how a dog could handle that.

 

[LongWayAround]

There's a thread with a bunch of dogs on big game hunts.

I always wanted to take my lab but he was too squirrelly in his youth.

 

[jlw0142]

There's a thread with a bunch of dogs on big game hunts.

I always wanted to take my lab but he was too squirrelly in his youth.

I have seen a few threads on it too, but most of the guys in those threads say that they take their dogs hiking and on rifle hunts, but not archery. Well, I almost exclusively hunt archery so that is kind of my only option and I’m trying to understand why that would be so much of an issue. I know hunting-bred dogs like labs and GSPs, etc can be super hyper, but I’ve seen lots of bird dogs that stay dead still when ducks are coming in. I feel like a dog could be trained to do that for big game too, but that’s not to say I would necessarily take him on a stalk because that could be treading the line of illegal. I’m just trying to see all sides of the issue because if I’m going to do this, he will be my dedicated hunting partner and I want to get him within the next year and start training him. Sorry that was long-winded.


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[T-town]

If you or your wife are concerned about safety, I'd go with an Inreach way before I went to the trouble of getting a dog. Other than some companionship, all I see are ways to make your hunt more difficult, especially if you're bow hunting.

 

[Chris in TN]

My dad used to own a farm that had a ton of deer on it and we had a couple of stands that were big enough to bring the dog with us. I can tell you with certainty that those deer knew when the dog was around and if the wind was perfect we'd still see deer but if the wind was marginal it absolutely led to fewer sightings, and especially as the season wore on. You might get away with having a dog in the stand but you'll wear spots out faster, for certain.

Of course if you can play the wind perfectly you'll be fine. But that pretty much never works in reality. Having a dog trained to sit/stay while you crawl slowly away and you being *certain* he won't break and follow, is easier said than done, and if you mechanically restrain him, he might die if you go off and get hurt.

I'm not saying not to do it. I'm just saying he will greatly complicate certain aspects of bowhunting. Does your wife think the dog is going to be like Lassie and go get help if you get hurt miles from the truck? Or is it more about security while overnighting in bear/cat/wolf country?

 

[jlw0142]

If you or your wife are concerned about safety, I'd go with an Inreach way before I went to the trouble of getting a dog. Other than some companionship, all I see are ways to make your hunt more difficult, especially if you're bow hunting.

Yeah I’ve got an InReach. The reality of the situation is that I am from the south, where most people don’t understand the value of solitude and a passion for lonely places. Those places are few and far between over here. So when I go on a trip out west, everybody goes ballistic. And in all honesty, I do everything in my power to ensure I am being safe, but it makes me very uncomfortable, especially knowing how nervous my family is about it. But yeah, I understand you.


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[jlw0142]

My dad used to own a farm that had a ton of deer on it and we had a couple of stands that were big enough to bring the dog with us. I can tell you with certainty that those deer knew when the dog was around and if the wind was perfect we'd still see deer but if the wind was marginal it absolutely led to fewer sightings, and especially as the season wore on. You might get away with having a dog in the stand but you'll wear spots out faster, for certain.

Of course if you can play the wind perfectly you'll be fine. But that pretty much never works in reality. Having a dog trained to sit/stay while you crawl slowly away and you being *certain* he won't break and follow, is easier said than done, and if you mechanically restrain him, he might die if you go off and get hurt.

I'm not saying not to do it. I'm just saying he will greatly complicate certain aspects of bowhunting. Does your wife think the dog is going to be like Lassie and go get help if you get hurt miles from the truck? Or is it more about security while overnighting in bear/cat/wolf country?

Yeah I understand. Hahaha, nah she’s not thinking the dog will pull me out to safety, it is the latter. Her perspective is that the dog could add an extra level of alertness, security, and companionship that could help the situation.


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[dtrkyman]

I turkey hunted with a friend and his dog this past spring, she was a trooper, we did some serious miles and when we got on birds he just leashed her up in a nice spot and left her there.

We went back for her after a couple hours one time and we snuck right up to her sleeping like a rock!

My only issue is she really like to walk in front of you on trail and stop, was funny and annoying at the same time!

He back pack hunts with her often, when she hears a turkey gobble she gets antsy but never runs off like she wants to chase them, he said she doesn't like gun shots so she gets nervous when a turkey gobbles.

 

[jlw0142]

I turkey hunted with a friend and his dog this past spring, she was a trooper, we did some serious miles and when we got on birds he just leashed her up in a nice spot and left her there.

We went back for her after a couple hours one time and we snuck right up to her sleeping like a rock!

My only issue is she really like to walk in front of you on trail and stop, was funny and annoying at the same time!

He back pack hunts with her often, when she hears a turkey gobble she gets antsy but never runs off like she wants to chase them, he said she doesn't like gun shots so she gets nervous when a turkey gobbles.

That’s awesome to hear. Very cool!


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