EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

I would really like the mods, experianced, and old timers to chime in on this one. I would love to hear some of the best advice ya'll could give to a semi  ;D started hog dogger. Also good old pictures and favorite stories would be cool too...

same here, any advice, old learning shots and things yall would pass on  ;D

Im not that old (42)but I've been around the block.
The 1st advise Id give a newby is to to learn how to take care of your dogs.Not just feed and water.
Your dogs are the connecting point between you and the hogs you seek.
I've seen way to many times young hunters spend alot of money on dogs and they don't take care of the dogs and wonder why they wont hunt for them.
1st-Learn how to take care of a dog! If you don't know than ask there are plenty of folks on here that will help.
2nd-Find someone that hunts dogs that you respect and spend as much time in the woods with them as you can.
      Even if all you are doing is draggin pigs at first Knowledge is priceless.
3rd-SLOW down let your dogs have a chance to work out a track, just because you drove a strike dog around a mott and nothing happend does'nt mean there is'nt hogs there you have to be patient enough to let your dogs work.

Just my 2 cents.

pig hunting isn't like other hobbies you've got to be commited you can't put your dogs in the deep freeze and pull them out when u feel the need for a hunt.have some patience, be prepared to wear out some boots,and enjoy the journey

X 2

MY HUNTIN PARTNER IS 78, HE TEACHES ME THE OLD WAYS AN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I TEACH HIM A NEW WAY. THERE IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE IN OLD DOG MEN IF YOULL LISTEN

i'm not an old timer, but here are a few pieces of advice anyways...

#1 - do not bring a dog home until you have the proper facilities to confine it...
       pens and kennels need to be dog proof and easy to clean... dogs are known to be diggers, climbers, wire chewers, gate openers,
       and the list goes on, make sure your pens/kennels accomodate these dog behaviors... if you have a chain setup, set it up      
       proper.  that means quality chain, snaps, swivels, collars etc. it must be tangle free, with access to a non-spillable source of
       water.  shade is also a must during summer. check and maintain your chains and snaps and replace as needed. double
       collar/double snap collar slippers. it does not take reading many post to see where gyps get accidently bred, dogs get into fights,
       or get out and get hit on the highway. though, sometimes it doesn't matter how well you prepare yourself or think you are    
       prepared these things happen regardless.  a quality setup will minimize heartaches and headaches down the road. if you are set
       up to keep five dogs safely, do not bring home number six, seven, and eight, until you are setup to keep and use them proper.

#2- know and learn your dog's behaviors. know which of your dogs are growly, know when your gyps are expected to cycle and what
      to look for and expect when they do... all gyps are different, so know the dogs you are feeding. there are no reasons to NOT
      know your dogs' personalities.  knowing and learning these things will keep your dogs out of trouble on the yard further down the
      road, becuase you knew better to begin with...

#3- use them. if you want to hunt hogs with dogs, get out and hunt. there are NO substitutes to making your dogs better hog dogs.
      you have to hunt them.
      
 these are just a few pointers. i have learned quite a bit through trial and error, and i have learned quite a bit by observing others' triumphs and failures. if you pay enough attention you will learn something about yourself and your dogs everyday, one of these ways or the other.  happy hunting...

I like this a lot! Thank you

#1-Check... (Plenty of big boars have made this be real and necessary) #2-Check... (Blakebh is my lifelong friend, might not know everything, but was taught by some pretty good doggers. I listen and watch everything that he does) #3 is the stickler... I like this and have brought it up multiple times. We move quick with our dogs because they are gritty and ballzy as he!!. If we don't stay on their butts, WHEN they get caught on a big boar we have to be there quick. So I'm honestly trying to find the easy medium in this one... Thanks for the tips!

I like this too! They are in the woods every weekend. Sometimes durring the week if we get calls from land owners. I'd like to go everyday!!!  ;D Thanks for your input!

Ed, we need to get together after I get healed up! Drifter seems to be doing good for you... I would like to see the progress in person and in the woods!  ;D I like that you put in this that you teach "new" ways of doing things too. There is always more than one way to skin a cat!  ;)

These are two points that I found out the hard way. One from my wife, and the other from walking out and having gyp stuck to my lead strike dog. When I was getting started I’d jump on a dog that was a good prospect. Didn’t realize what I was getting myself into at the time… but I knew my wife wasn’t happy and let me know too! LOL! Now that I have been through a few dogs I know “kinda” what I’m looking for, and what I’m NOT looking for. This has been one he!! Of a learning experience and is continuing to be that way still. There is so much information on this sport, hobby, and way of life it is ridiculous; and this board is the main source. Well thought out chain set ups are one of my pet peeves… and even when you think that everything is the way you want it there is still a possibility of it messing up. The dogs I am still learning because even knowing a dog for 17 years like I have she’ll still throw out a surprise or too. ;D I need to get me a calendar to mark my gyps cycles on, and worming routines down. That is a good one, and I will deff be taking that one down in the memory banks. I am always analyzing the dogs, so I’m off to a good start I guess. It seems to be the norm that there is always something else to learn though. AND last, the dog being in the woods, for now, isn’t a problem. They get hunted regularly, and fortunately get put on quite a few hogs, IMO. I am grateful that I have friends/partners that will hunt my dogs in my absence. Thank you for your good points and input.

Ok guys, I was really hoping to get some more tips, stories, and just old timers input! Thanks to y'all that have already done so, I appreciate the advice!

TERPINTINE CURS EVERYTHING!

LOL! Please explain a little more...

MEANT CURES NOT CURS!

ryan tbh, im not an old timer and i havent been hog dog hunting but abt 6 yrs. but i thinu will b sucsessful because u seem willing to learn, and apply what works for u. 1 thing i have done is b quiet and listen to your eyes, cause they dont tickle your ears, another words seeing is beliving and anyone can talk b.s. but when u see methods and different ways things r done u can b the judge if it will work 4 u. another thing i agree with is stick by your dogs through it all if u care enough to feed them and hunt them then be prepared to go to war with them and for them, and above all have fun cause if its not fun to u then u wont last long...good hunting and i belive u will be catching hogs for a long time man.

So are you refering to things like Mange and skik stuff, or what? sorry, but I'm still confused. You can PM me if that's better. This is exactly the type of info I am looking for though.

Thank you very much for those kind words of wisdom. I am trying my best to cram as much knowledge from this board as I possibly can, and I am hoping more "old timers" chime into this post to help me out. I am so passionate about this life style, and I want to get involved in as much as I possibly can. I deff stick with my dogs… heck, I have been putting so much effort into getting my Diablo back up and healthy enough to hunt again, even with one leg missing. I know he still has it in him, and you can see it on his face and in his eyes. I know that no matter what, even if they are getting cut to hell, I am going to be right behind them giving it hell too. If they are going to put their life on the line for me, I will do the same for them, and I think that combination will keep us both as healthy as possible. Thanks again for your input Geronimo!

On Owls input, the first is the the best rule. I wish I had listened to my dad and everybody, instead I brought home a gyp and had nowhere to kennel her. Ended up putting a Walmart kennel on grass and you know how that ended. Then I finally poured a very nice pad of concrete BUT!!!! My trough in the back drains to the middle so that sucks. Then I rushed to get kennels and mind you I got three tractor supply 10 x 10 kennels for 200.00 bucks and they were the thinner chain link. So now I'm paying for that by having to fix the kennels. Ohh and I have half of the roof done. So to any newbie, GET THE KENNELS DONE FIRST AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOG PROOF.

What are you referring to when you say, “Instead I brought home a gyp and had nowhere to kennel her. Ended up putting a Wal-Mart kennel on grass and you know how that ended.”? I don't use kennels... LOL! I like a good chain set up... they get 15-20 ft radius, and build good muscle mass. It helps our gritty dogs be able to anchor better because if they find a 2-250 lber... they are prolly gona catch it.  ;D But thanks, I did find that out too when I bought two dogs trying to start dogging, and didn't have the set up ready. I paid for it dearly. I also would like to say, to any other beginner that might look at this post. Make sure you have all of the gear you need like leads, cut collars, cut vests, and ect... you WILL pay if you do not. curdog, thanks for your input buddy.

OCD, I guess you are just reposting the other one in agreement? If so, thank you too for your input. Duly noted.

TERPENTINE FOR PADS, EARMITES, WOUNDS, AN IN THE OLD DAYS WORMER

hmmm... I need to take care of some ear mites. So where do I get terpentine? and How would I use this in the ears?

IVE NEVER USED IT IN EARS BUT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IT JUST LIKE EAR MITE MEDS, SPRAY IT IN, FOLD THE EAR AND WORK IT AROUND. *I WOULD REALLY BE CAREFUL DOING THIS! YOU CAN GET IT AT MOST HARDWARE STORES. I DO USE IT ON PADS WHEN THEY ARE WORN AND SORE, JUST DIP THE FOOT STRAIGHT IN IT.

Thanks ED! That's really informative! Will they lick the terpintine?

Well said Bud

I really like this one too. It's honestly makes me feel good because I am doing most of that to the best of my abilities, but there is always more to learn. I just need to focus more on getting number 2 up to par. I'm lucky enough to have just turned my yard into a MEN's HOUSE!!!  ;D There no gyps on my yard at the moment that aren't fixed. But the males have different personalities as well. Really good tip OWLBMC! Thanks a lot for your input.

Not an old timer by any means but Ive been around this sport for a length of time.
Ryan
1.  I would go to vet school :)  You have to be able to take care of your dogs in the field.  Most dogs are repairable in the field weather you think they are or not.  It could be just a temp fix to get them to a vet but better than letting them lay down on you.  I would say this is the most important specailly when you have grittier dogs!
2. Cut back on the number of dogs you let run on the ground!  Respect the hogs and let them back up and bay!  Might take a little grit out of your pack but also might help on boars breaking (weather you get them stopped or not)
3. When pre-paring for a hunt pack a lunch (I always forget this one) plenty of water for you and the dogs!  Keep an extra set of clothes behind your seat!
4. Back to #2 Watching your dogs work ith each situation weathers it's in a creek, briar thicket, baypen, or just in the open you learn by watching each dog and each situation. 
5. Vest and collar your dogs back in to tending for them.
6. after the catch IMO one person should handle the hog when he is flipped and the others should get the roughest dogs off first.  I've seen allot of people handle hogs and the best way in my eyes is suck the front top leg closest to you into your nuts basically your keep his bottom feet from getting under him.  It's a caught hog with one person on him instead of a guy on the back legs 1 on the fron and one standing on his head.  You don't need all this IMO.  After that one person can assist with hobbles or tieing him. 

I'm at work so not going to put too much into it.  I'll add somemore later if i get time.  Will make a hunt soon Ryan.   

Brian, I appreciate your input and respect you more than you know. I know you know, without a doubt, your chit, to just be blunt! You have the eye of the tiger out there in the woods, and that only comes from experience. Do you know where I could get a crash course on vet tactics? I would love to do this, and I bet most of the crew would as well. Now that I have been putting together a new pack of my own, we will have the choice of what dogs to take and when; and that will help out a lot I think. I have started carrying a camel back, and that has worked wonders for us and the dogs on recent hunts. I also pack sutures, staple gun, iodine, and antibiotics... Not to mention a few protein snack bars, so that is another change i've personally made. Need to start bringing a change of clothes though, thts a good one. The whole who is doing what thing... That is one that we as a crew have been working on. Everyone pretty much knows what to do out there, but you never know who will get to the leg first and it does get crazy sometimes, especially with the boars we seem to get on... So we have been making a point to remind everyone before the hunt starts that who ever gets there grab a leg, if you need help turning it over ask for it, otherwise get all the dogs leashed up before they roll out. This can deff use some improvement, but I think with more time in the woods together, we will just know by instinct who needs to do what and when. Another thing is most of the time, if it isn't a big hog, they are gona catch it... So we really don't have time to watch the dogs work, as they are caught. Which is a good thing and a bad thing all at the same time. If you do not get there with CD quick and they are trying to catch a nasty one, it could end up bad; so we like to try and stay on their butts as much as we can. Every chance we get though we do sit back and let them work and watch how they behave. Getting into this life style has been a wonderful learning experience and I think it will continue to be until I can not walk in the woods any longer because I'm an old man. It seems every time you go out with your pack there is something new to learn... ;D BUT please don't take my response as me knowing it all because I cherish the advice and want to continue to learn as much as i can from people like yourself. Those are just some changes we've made since our last hunt together... Not o mention theres been a few caught aince then as well... ;D All of your points have been duly noted, and I really appreciate you chiming in buddy! It means a lot.

Ryan, you know i am gonna get to the hog first! LOL JK

Lol! You and the trusty Garmin are unstoppable!!! Lmao! I swear you have a flame thrower, sword, and a pair of winged shoes in that thing somewhere... I think I've only beat you to a hog once in all our hunting, but I also think you stayed back to see how me and Ben would do. And I turned that sucker over and hobbled him myself after Ben grabbed a leg! That was a fun hunt for me too cause Baus ran from 100+ out to the bay and caught! It was only his second hog. Parker did great that day too and that was his first hunt right? We've had some great times brother and I hope to have many many more... Not to mention, you have a lot more to teach and show me!!! ;D

Come on guys... no other old schoolers or experienced hog doggers out there have anything else to add? All posts are much appreciated.

Not old, but my two cents,  we need to stay in shape, me included, it doesn't do any good if we are to winded to help when get to the catch. :o

I'm very guilty of this!!! ;D Blake reminds me of it every time we are in the woods. Good point!

OK,....guess I can't pass this one up. :) I'm 60 and been hog hunting with dogs since I was in my 20s.....does that make me an old timer? lol

Ok,.....some simple....(Lord I love things that are simple)....advice if you want to call it that.

When you're with folks that know more than you....LISTEN, LISTEN,.....LISTEN. Say little and when you do......say it with humility.

If you have good dogs, then trust them,.....I've been guilty of this at times and every time I don't trust my dogs, they make a fool out of me...trust them, they probably know more about this than you do.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR DOGS....no exceptions to this. They deserve it.

Don't let this consume you....don't get so hard on yourself and your dogs that it stops being fun to hunt.

Thank the Lord every day that you can do this thing that you love.

And above all.....be a man of character!!!! I cannot stress this enough. Do what you say you will.....period. Your reputation will get you more places to hunt than you can imagine. Get away from people that have little or no character....they will ruin your reputation. Attach yourself to people OF character......they will be your best ally.

That is some great advice!

Thanks for the post FireMedic! Consider it noted! And to clarify, I say old timers with the upmost respect. 60 is not old, and your age, IMO, is in your sole... Not the number. So keep the wild side alive! ;D My father-in-law said it pretty good, "when I stop moving my bones will start getting stiff!"