EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

I have been reading on this forum for a couple weeks now just trying to learn as much as possible. I live in West Texas and Im thinking about getting some dogs. Just trying to get as  much information as possible before I get started and would appreciate any/all input. I have been 6 or 8 times with some local guys and I  have caught the bug. The guys I have gone with are not really friends of mine but more acquatances i know through other people so infromation is kinda lacking. Some basic questions I have are:

1. How many dogs do u need to get started? (thinking 2 or 3 bay dogs and 1 catch)
2. What kind of time commitment am I looking at as far as training and taking care of dogs?
3. How often do you need to hunt to keep the dogs sharp? (once a week/twice a month)?
4. What kind of money do u need to get started as far as dogs,gps collars,vests,dog food,vet bills etc?

Those are just a couple but like I said I want to learn as much as possible before getting into it so Im not biting off more than I can chew. Again I am completely ignorant to the ins and outs of it all but I really want to get into it. Any and all responses will be welcomed and appreciated. Feel free to send me and email or PM if you dont feel like typing all this on the forum. Thanks in advance.

Buy some gulf clubs it will be cheaper and less agervating

All you really need to get started dog wise is a good started dog that will strike and a CD.  It's nice to have a little extra dog power but a decent dog will get the job done.  Taking care of a couple of dogs isn't bad but obviously the more dogs the more of a job it will become.  I feed once a day and check them a couple of times a day just to make sure they are doing alright.  Practice makes perfect so the more you can keep the dogs in pigs the more they will progress and the better they will be.  You don't have to hunt them all of the time but I like to keep my dogs on the ground as much as I can.  Getting started in any sport isn't cheap and this is no exception.  For a tracking system, leads, collars, vest and a basic cut kit you're probably going to put out at least $700 if you go used on the tracking system.  I feed 6 dogs and it cost me about $50 a month which is nothing compared to a lot of guys on here.  Probably the biggest recurring cost are dog food, fuel and whatever else you spend money on when you hunt.  I'd make sure it is something you really want to do and Curcross is probably on point with the golf clubs...

Make sure when you start buying baydogs/strike dogs that you get all the same... What I mean is if you want rough dogs then buy all rough dogs... If you have one rough dog and two loose baydogs then you are taking the chance of the rough dog getting hurt or killed....  If you plan on walk hunting don't buy rig dogs... You mainly need to figure out how you want to run your pack... Hog doggin is a costly sport... IMO you need two or three strike dogs and one catch dog all one of the three strike dogs needs to help catch when catch dog does... I would run tracking system on the best of the three strike dog... And as you progress you can buy the other two used collars.....  I feed diamond dog food and it cost about 70 bucks a month... I hunt as much as I can on the weekends... I would say 1000 to 1500... Will get you started... But you can find free dogs on ethd and put some work in them and get started for around 500 dollars... Good luck

Make sure you have plenty of places to hunt. You can buy the best dogs and equipment on the planet if you don't have places to hunt your spinning your wheels. If you think you may want to get into it and try it out don't buy anything go get the golf clubs. This is a sport that requires dedication. If you want to.have good dogs and be successful catching hogs you have to put in the time and I'm not meaning a little it takes a good bit. I'm not trying to turn you away but giving advice from what I have learned. I don't recommend buying puppies or started dogs unless you have a good dog to run them behind or friends that will be willing to take you and your started dogs. You will get frustrated. You won't always catch pigs when you go out you will have dry spells of hunting for possibly months without catching anything but a red a**. Make sure this is something you enjoy enough to stick with it. My guess would be your looking at $1000 out of the gate and it goes up daily from there.

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x2...  can only imagine the things  i coulda had if it werent for this sport.

Well it's good that you're wanting to start hog doggin'.....we need all the help and recruitement we can get. You've already gotten some good advice I see. I commend you for at least asking for advice as opposed to assuming that since you've been a few times that you now know all there is to know about it.... :o

One thing I might add to this advice is to be dang sure that you are capable of properly caring for your dogs when you get them. It's not ok to just tie a chain around a tree and throw out a barrel with no front on it if you live where it gets cold in winter. If you choose to have dogs of your own.....you are duty bound to take proper care of them....otherwise....just don't get any. Take care of your dogs......failure is not an option here. Good luck and keep us posted about your venture.

 This sport will take time and money every day...

Best thing to do is not try to add up what you do/will spend... And definately don't tell your woman how much!!  ;)

translation:  a really good set of golf clubs is cheaper!  ;) ;D

X2 I always say everything is a couple hundred then let her look at the dog trade were jam up dogs are a couple hundred dollars

Just wanted to say welcome!!!

It sure is an addicting sport! Just wait til you are able to get a solid pack of your own and they strike their own hog! It will be the best feeling in the world!  Like t.willbanks said, time and money every day, but just hang in there and stick with it!  ;D ;D  

Well you damn sure cant catch hogs with golf clubs so take that advice and throw it out the window!

Guess that depends on how fast u are just kiding

When you go to buying dogs be sure you know what you are looking at are have someone with you that does know.  It is very easy to get screwed buying dogs.  If you are going to buy a sure nuff kind of strike/find dog be sure to hunt the dog first and if it is a finished dog and the man takes you on a hunt dont let him put four five dogs on the ground make him put the one you are buying on the ground with maybe one dog and see what the dog does it is real easy for people to put other dogs with the one you want to buy making it look good .  Make sure that dog will get out on its on and not just following other dogs .  Lots of in's and out's of all of this .  Dont be so quick to trust a damn sole get to know people real well be for you just throw it out there.

Wish you the best of luck.

youve never caught a hog on a golf course??  Must be a florida thing..  ;D

X2 when I go to look at a dog it is always made clear I want to see that dog hunt not their whole pack

Nobody said anything about a golf course! You probably just use golf clubs since you dont use catch dogs

My dongs are like swiss army knives.  That got everything.  ;D  Dont believe in single purpopse dogs, dont wanna feed 50 when one can do the job..  But hey, to each their own.  ;D

hey ntowesttex243 where you located? im in west texas also.

I'm just getting started to and what's harder than the money is the patience.

Thanks for all the responses. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I have in store. Commitment will not be a problem for me, once I decide for sure I want to get started. If I go in on something it's all in and there's no looking back. I asked about time because I have a 1 and 5 year old and can't be out hunting every night of the week. I want to make sure that I can devote the required time not only for myself but for the dogs as well. I imagine they deserve a certain amount of time and it would be unfair to have them if I wasn't able to hunt and work with them enough. Also I realize that every sport takes money and typically the more into it you get the more it costs, was just trying to get and idea of initial expenses and what to expect. Again I appreciate the help and look forward to learning as much as possible and catching that first hog with my own dogs. Gotta be an awesome feeling.

Josh: about 120 miles west of u.

A lot of Good advice to follow.   Get with good people....  keep dogs to a minimum so it's not a job!   You said you have too small children, congrats.  hunting is great everyone has to have an out sometimes & nothing like the outdoors  to get away.  Hunting is part of the bond between me & my son, it can be an great family event.

well...know youll always be broke and never have a vacation again! ha i love it and wouldnt trade anything for it.

try to get with a guy thats been doing it for a while.