When to unclip the catchdog(s)?

[outlaw14slayer]

When do you unclip your catchdog (how far from the bay in yards)?  What are the pros and cons of the way you do it?  I know some folks want to take a look at the situation first while others send them in at a distance.  Just wanting to hear some different thinking on this issue.

[Noah]

I try to wait until I can see the situation, usually within 50 yds...   Lots of different variables on this... but I just like to make sure of a good and solid bay before cuttin' the CD loose... nothing worse than the hog breaking and worrying about the CD catching a mile away....not to mention sending a CD into a bad spot... friend of ours just got his whole pack cut down unknowingly sending a CD into a boar bayed up in a blow-down cave

[Mike]

I like to be as close as possible, preferrably within sight of the bay, but that's hard to do in the thick stuff. I try to get 100 yards or less and get in there quick.

Dogs sent from too far away and caught too long is a recipe for disaster... been there, done that and will never do it again.

[outlaw14slayer]

Noah;We usually do it like you, although last Sunday we sent a bmc/pit cd in from a 150yds or so out.  We caught the hog, a 220ish boar.  He had 3/4in teeth and cut everything we had out (nothing major, but a couple will be out a couple weeks).  Not sure if the cuts were a result of sending in the cd at a distance, but i'm thinking it might be asking for a big wreck.

[Noah]

Every second counts when the dog's are caught on a boar like that... the closer you turn loose, the quicker you can get in to help

I'm concerned more about keeping my dogs healthy over catching everything they bay

[lonewolf]

I agree with mike and mrmud the closer the better!

[kevin]

20 - 30 yds.  Keeps curdogs a little safer.  Also keeps hogs in better shape.

[pig snatcher]

Just as close as I can get.

[outlaw14slayer]

I'm agreeing with the lead in cd, close approach.  Why are there so many folks on here that are looking for a rcd?  Is running rcds just looking for a wreck?

[pig snatcher]

Its the IN thing to do.

[Noah]

I just think there's a lot of variables...

-the type of terrain(with more open land you can get away with RCDs because you can get there quicker

-the type of CD(LaDogos is a perfect example... he seems to turn loose waaay out and does real well with good result)

-the type of hunter(some are more willing to risk damage to their pack in exchange for pork production)

[raider54]

My opinion on your last question is that people who want running catch dogs is usually because thier bay dogs are not holding the bay long enough to get to them with the catch dog. Personaly I dont want catchy dogs I just want them to stop the hog and back up and bay. I agree get as close as possible cut in the CD

[Eric]

A solid bay is number one, if its really thick stuff I will try to get a little closer but in corn or some thing if the dogs can hear it and its solid they are good to go.