hunting in the drought

[T-Bob Parker]

A few recent threads and personal experiences have gotten me to thinking. I hear folks say that some areas, terrains, and hogs will show you what kind of dogs you have and I agree. I have lost three dogs and my grandfather this summer so I may be a bit depressed and just done with this freaking horrible summer, but it also seems hunting stories and posts in "hog totals" are down this summer. I now have only one grown dog, he's the best I've ever owned, but still, he's all alone unless a friend hunts with me. Between me and my close hunting buddies, we have been outran and had dry runs more than I've ever experienced.

I put that out there to ask you this, how has this summer stacked up for you? Don't turn this into a pissing match, just be honest whether good or bad, have you been as successful this summer as in summers past?

[make-em-squeel]

Call it luck or maby spots where they dont run hard but we are catching as many as last summer.

Totals are down simply b/c I cant get the energy to get out in it!

Regardless... my Hog Totals are always DOWN in Summer b/c my dogs cant finish a track like they can with some moisture or cool air, even once they break they come back without a hog more often plus they see the CD's coming toward them like lawn mower's in this thick stuff and break.

[Jasonmac]

We have caught or ran a hog or two everytime we let out this summer and are still hunting but overall i think this one has been a little harder because of no water.

[Mike]

This summer is about the same as last summer for me. Hunting a lot less, down to once a week, but we've been catching a hog on nearly every hunt. Been on a few all nighters with long races and no hogs.Turning out near food and water seems to be the ticket.

[t.wilbanks]

Compared to last year, my numbers are ahead, but thats due to some very good hunts early in the year and a few decent new spots to hunt....

As far as hunting this summer, it seems to be alot harder from last year.... Like you, i only have one dog left that will find a hog... i sold the rest earlier in the year to pretty much start over.... but i can count on her to get the job done, and shes been doing great...

Since its been so hot, we have turned from hunting off atvs and running the dogs to letting them wind out of the truck, and on some of our smaller spots just hitting them with the spot light and turning the dogs loose.... It kinda feels like cheating, but its keeping the dogs on hogs without wearing them down too bad in this heat.... And weve been hunting a few islands so we have quick access to water...

If we hit a group and catch one, it seems almost impossible to get the dogs back on the rest of them....
My gyp has pretty good bottom, but this summer has been whooping her tail.. seems like shes getting outrun alot more than last year...

I just keep telling myself if she is doing this good now, she should be on fire this winter... and hope im right...  

[Critter Catcher]

We've caught a few and had plenty of runs but here lately, past couple of trips over the past month or so, it's been dry runs. It's been powder dust on the ground, the feed is dead, & water holes dried up. I'm guessing it's time to call TIME OUT for the next few weeks and let it turn around. I think I'll send the dogs on a cruise.. ..Unless one of you catching all these hogs are willing to give up a honey hole just because you're that nice

[let-em-go-10]

Hey it aint to bad critter, as long as u get to take ur dogs out to stretch their legs and get conditioning until it gets better.

[Heaven Sent Kennel]

I'm hunting more this summer then I did last summer. I found this summer to get permission on the places that have a food source and water and it's made the hunting more productive for me. Don't have very big hog totals for going out twice every weekend but still enjoy it.

[UNDERDOG]

Bout the same for me as most June,July & August not much diff this year than others really and pretty much x2 on what Mike said.

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[brad s]

I have been producing a good deal of pork but I have been chosing  my hunting spots wisely, I have caught myself tryin to find pigs before I load dogs up alot more than normal instead of just going to one of my spots thinkin they are probably there

[cantexduck]

Been hunting mornings only. Best summer yet. Hunt a few hours and catch a few hogs.

[T-Bob Parker]

Thanks guys, see, that's when my luck went to crap was when I stopped hunting mornings. I also have had several loooong races with no hog at the end and I've seen our dogs make plenty of miles worth of unproductive loops. I guess im gonna have to start getting up early again 

[matt_aggie04]

Havent turned a dog loose since mid May and couldn't be happier  . I don't even feel like sitting on the porch much less walking in the woods. I hate summer time and this year is worse than ever. A few hunts when it cools down and I'll have everything legged up and the honey holes will be full of hogs. Come on cooler weather!!!

[boone823]

T-Bob .
I am in same boat. Have one old dog left. Along with some up coming puppies. Me and my buddies are having dry runs also. With a few bays only to break everytime and get out ran lately. Hopefully Saturday our luck will change.

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[levibarcus]

I probably haven't caught 20 hogs this year. The spots that are usually loaded up with hogs haven't had any since December. I know there are spots that hold hogs but they are too far from the house to justify burning the fuel to go tp them when I can only hunt for a couple of hours in this heat. Even spring time sucked for me, the no rain really kills most of the places I can hunt. If it ever starts really raining to where it floods some of the bottoms, my places will be good again.

[J Carroll]

During the first part of the summer we were catching pigs dang near every time we went. Since it's been so hot I have been scared to lose a dog in this heat. I just satarted dogging this year and I only have a strike dog, cd, and a Cat pup. Really can't afford to take the chance but it's killing me because the new still hasn't wore off...lol

[Dirtydog]

been doing pretty good for the summer ! also been burning up alot of diesel getting around to the honey holes...

[chainrated]

The last 5 weeks around here has been some HARD huntin, especially on the dogs. We are still catchin hogs but you gotta be turnin loose at daylight and out by about 10 a.m. The dogs just can't hold up as long when it's over 100 degrees and it ain't rained in 2 months.
I ain't lucky enough to own any of them dogs that can take an 8 hour track in the middle of a desert during a drought and finish it no matter what. 

[waylon-N.E. OK]

Not trying to hyjack this but do you Men think it's really really that tuff to track a hog in this dry heat? I always said a hog had to be the easiest critter to track and any dog could do it cause they stink so bad, But this heat and drought is making me reconsider that statement. We have only been out 3 times in August and that's it all summer, so far Zero hogs and are having a real tough time even finding freash sign. i also wonder if it is easier to wind them than track them in this heat? Anyway just some thoughts that have crossed my mind during these dry runs, maybe i just need better dogs  

[TColt]

For me and my hunting buddies, the hunt for the right spot has been harder than the hunt for the hogs. Been a pretty good summer, hunted a little more than last summer and hunted the right spots. Its alot harder on the dogs this summer I have noticed. With no moisture in the air or on the ground I feel like the dogs are right on top of the hogs before they get hot on the trail. Found myself watching the garmin more cuz the dogs seem to hunt different than normal. For example, I have seen my lacy dog put her nose to the ground alot more than in winter and she hunts alot slower and more meticulously. Not making big fast loops like in the winter.