Squirrel Doggin' 2016
- Thread starter Jamie
- Start date
Good, I'm sure that'll make sure it happens again! Or does Mason already have plans for another animal around the house? Lol
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I don't think we could have had a much better day to chase squirrels. Today was a heck of a good day for pheasant hunting too!
after 2" of snow, it finally quit. kinda breezy, but we took both dogs out anyway just to get out of the house. started hunting about 1 this afternoon. Rats on the move as the snow was winding down, apparently, as some of the fresh tracks had a dusting of snow in them, some did not. Slick hammered one pretty fast, and almost as fast as he settled on the tree, Lefty joined in the chorus.
I didn't see the squirrel as I approached, so I took some action photos and coached Slick up a bit, but while I was doing that Nancy kept looking, and found him. I quickly tied Slick so he could not leave the tree, gave him some praise and encouragement and went about moving the squirrel into position for Nancy, who delivered a perfect head shot. Slick making progress at light speed. These two are gonna strike fear in the hearts of squirrels near and far next year.
so on we go, both dogs found an empty tree, then I notice Slick is out of my sight but moving fast, then finally barking. Little sumbitch jumped a rabbit and proceeded to run it out about 500 yards. He got toned and lightly zapped a couple of times before I got fed up and let him have it. Full power shut him up and put an end to his trash chasing for the day. I did finally manage to call him back to me without trekking a quarter mile into the thick stuff to get him. good thing for him. after that non-sense was over, we hunted on and both dogs found some more empty trees before parting ways. Lefty took off on a cross country run 400 yards to a tree while Slick went 200 the opposite direction. since Lefty doesn't need any coaching, I sent Nancy after Lefty (after helping her get her bearings. she's a bit uneasy striking off on her own that far) and I went to Slick. As I approached him he ran off the tree to me and I ordered him back on. he got back on the tree, and I found the squirrel fast. he was on the tree hard, so I didn't dick around and shot the squirrel out to him immediately without tying him, which is very good for his confidence and understanding of what he is supposed to do. I haven't heard any shooting, so off we go toward Lefty nearly 600 yards away. Slick beat me there, of course, and joined the fracas, but when I finally got there Nancy was still playing hide and seek with the squirrel, which I promptly shot since I had the squirrel on my side of the tree. three in the game bag, and that was all we would see today. big day for Slick, getting two on his own (and going rabbit hunting, too.
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I didn't see the squirrel as I approached, so I took some action photos and coached Slick up a bit, but while I was doing that Nancy kept looking, and found him. I quickly tied Slick so he could not leave the tree, gave him some praise and encouragement and went about moving the squirrel into position for Nancy, who delivered a perfect head shot. Slick making progress at light speed. These two are gonna strike fear in the hearts of squirrels near and far next year.
so on we go, both dogs found an empty tree, then I notice Slick is out of my sight but moving fast, then finally barking. Little sumbitch jumped a rabbit and proceeded to run it out about 500 yards. He got toned and lightly zapped a couple of times before I got fed up and let him have it. Full power shut him up and put an end to his trash chasing for the day. I did finally manage to call him back to me without trekking a quarter mile into the thick stuff to get him. good thing for him. after that non-sense was over, we hunted on and both dogs found some more empty trees before parting ways. Lefty took off on a cross country run 400 yards to a tree while Slick went 200 the opposite direction. since Lefty doesn't need any coaching, I sent Nancy after Lefty (after helping her get her bearings. she's a bit uneasy striking off on her own that far) and I went to Slick. As I approached him he ran off the tree to me and I ordered him back on. he got back on the tree, and I found the squirrel fast. he was on the tree hard, so I didn't dick around and shot the squirrel out to him immediately without tying him, which is very good for his confidence and understanding of what he is supposed to do. I haven't heard any shooting, so off we go toward Lefty nearly 600 yards away. Slick beat me there, of course, and joined the fracas, but when I finally got there Nancy was still playing hide and seek with the squirrel, which I promptly shot since I had the squirrel on my side of the tree. three in the game bag, and that was all we would see today. big day for Slick, getting two on his own (and going rabbit hunting, too.
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Another fun filled day it seems!
FWIW, Mason seems to think we need our own squirrel dog. Having a beagle and two bird dogs that do not get enough work, I disagree.
Also, you left your short lead in my truck. I'll keep it safe for you until we meet up again, or send it to you. Whatever works out best.
FWIW, Mason seems to think we need our own squirrel dog. Having a beagle and two bird dogs that do not get enough work, I disagree.
Also, you left your short lead in my truck. I'll keep it safe for you until we meet up again, or send it to you. Whatever works out best.
Sounds like you guys are having a blast. Makes me want to hunt with a squirrel dog. Wish I had enough woods to squirrel hunt them on. Most of my squirrel woods are small. Knowing I have no time to work a dog. . . .I am living vicariously thru your thread year after year. Enjoying the heck out of it too!
hang on to that lead, Brock. I have others. Tell Mason that Lefty is volunteering to be his surrogate squirrel dog until such time that your kennel isn't so full. and cut that boy some Osage saplings and get him a drawknife. :smile: how was your pheasant hunt?
J, these are very well made and quite durable, and have held up well for me. this is season 2 for the orange one, and it has a few snags in it, but hasn't been torn to shreds or damaged in any meaningful way, and we get into some briars every time out. they do have some thermal benefit, but I put them on the dogs for safety and so I can see them better while they are hunting. the material is 100% polyester. very slick shell, almost like a micro fleece inside. it's kinda stretchy and is supposed to fit tight. Slicks' is a little baggy on him yet. honestly, I think the dogs like them when it's cold. they sure don't mind putting them on, but I would not use them when it is above 50 degrees for fear of over heating the dog.
J, these are very well made and quite durable, and have held up well for me. this is season 2 for the orange one, and it has a few snags in it, but hasn't been torn to shreds or damaged in any meaningful way, and we get into some briars every time out. they do have some thermal benefit, but I put them on the dogs for safety and so I can see them better while they are hunting. the material is 100% polyester. very slick shell, almost like a micro fleece inside. it's kinda stretchy and is supposed to fit tight. Slicks' is a little baggy on him yet. honestly, I think the dogs like them when it's cold. they sure don't mind putting them on, but I would not use them when it is above 50 degrees for fear of over heating the dog.
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An absolute blast. We only hunted a couple hours. We saw five roosters and four hens. Killed two roosters. Dogs worked really well, shooters did well too. Two shots fired, two birds folded. It's all about the habitat. Find decent cover, find wild birds.
I bought one from an equine supply store through Ebay, the other from an online pet store called BaxterBoo (I know, right?). I had to shop for both to find the right size and color. these seem to be in short supply everywhere, so look around. they cost around $50. The company is Hurtta, based in Finland. Cabela's sells them, too, but they did not have anything in stock, and the price was high. try Amazon as well. I have not seen these in a brick and mortar store.
Gordo
Senior Member
I gotta show this picture to my wife. 'Hunting' dogs chilling on the couch. She worries a dog trained to hunt wouldn't mix well with being a 'house' dog.
When I was younger and dumber that was my attitude as well, hunting dogs stay in the kennel...
Wife was always extremely allergic when it came to beagles so they stayed outside....
If I ever built a kennel, I'd be the only one living in it. rotflmao Nancy will have no part of me having "outside" dogs. I will say that these Cur dogs are the cleanest, lowest maintenance dogs we've ever had. even tempered, friendly, personable dogs. ya do what ya gotta do to keep the peace. ain't much of a sacrifice from where I'm standing, but I do have intervene sometimes when she gets carried away babying them. they are tree dogs first, adorable house pets second.