EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

I am thinkin about selling out and doing some competition hunting. How log does it take to kinda catch on and any pointers would help!!!

I only went to one hunt and it was fun. I like it just as much as hog hunting wish I still had my hounds. Only pointers I could think to giv is just be patient. Treeing them lil suckers and keeping them treed isn't as easy as you might think.

The main thing you need to know is know the rules & even when you know the rules, get ready to get a education on how the rules are  misrepresented. Other then that if you have a dog that will hunt & stay treed, you will do well. Good luck.
 

The main thing you need to know is know the rules & even when you know the rules, get ready to get a education on how the rules are  misrepresented. Other then that if you have a dog that will hunt & stay treed, you will do well. Good luck.
 Very true. In alot of clubs it is very political. Just because you have the best dog or a good dog don't  always win. Best advice don't take it personnel. I have seen some jam up dogs loose to the judges brother or buddies dog.  Not trying to say all clubs are like that but I do know there is some like that. I would go to the meets and watch some hunts without entering a dog and see how it goes

John Wick and his books are great places to start, so is The American Cooner. The dogs that are successful in the world of competition hunting are a whole different species than what I hunted with my dad for years around the house.  They're kinda like high dollar Race Horses, all instinct and drive.

Now you're going to find out what "cut throat" means.

It doesn't take long read the rules book. Go to abt 3 hunts and you'll sorda get the hang of it. As long as you have a dog that will get hooked up and stay treed you'll do good you just have to know your dog and how to call him.

know your dog inside and out. Every whimper, yelp, fart, bark, bawl ect.... You need to know his strike mouth, his locate mouth and his tree mouth. Some guys know there dogs so good they can tell when it's a hard track that the dog is not sure of. A fast track thats going to lead to meat at the end of if. or when they are on off game. I've seen guys tree a dog on a locate bark or bawl. I've seen guys with dogs that would get other dogs to honer a tree then that dog leave the tree leaving those others hooked to a slick tree. Get to know you dog inside and out.  Hunt him alone until you know everything about him.  Read the rules. Watch for aggressive dogs and dog fights, they can get you scratched in a hurry, even if yours didn't start it.  I would also go to a couple club hunts and ask to participate as a spectator. Enjoy the hunt. Ask questions and learn all you can.


good luck and keep us posted.

mike 

  yep like said know your dog and the rules inside and out . there have been as many slick handlers win a hunt as dogs .but when you think it isn't any fun for you GET OUT  and just pleasure hunt . the hunt's have become big business and to a lot  of folks it is their only job now . but have fun and give them heck  .

I will tell u that all that advise is good. But you will be hunting with some of the rule benders ( in thier favor) in the world. The best advise is know AKC, UKC and PkC rules like the back of your hand.