BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[Don Fischer]

Any of you guys started working with your dogs yet? I used to love this time of year to train. Hot weather and starting with short sessions really gets a dog in shape. Just have plenty of water. Better yet, train near a lake or river where you can dunk a hot dog. Hot weather training really pays off in early season hunting. Any dog can run in moderate temps, a dog needs to be in great shape and used to hot weather to hunt the warm early season.

Ya got birds? Pigeons are the best training bird you can get. When a pigeon gets up, it lands on a wire or tree, not on the groung. Also bad things may happen and the dog might associate it with the bird, let it be a pigeon, you'll likely not hunt them on the ground any way.

Pigeons are tuff too. I had one years ago that got beat up pretty bad by a pup, thought it was dead. Put it on the wood pile while I went in to get a drink and when I came back out it was walking around. Week later it was good as new. You can catch them in barns and under bridges with a long handle net at night. The price is right!

[bowhunter 616]

i lost my lab to a tumor a couple years ago, :cry: haven't brought myself to go through that again,though have started looking at them.i to started my baby on pigeons she loved them to :thumbsup1:

[Don Fischer]

Sorry to hear about your Lab. My first love at one time was Springer Spaniels. In fact I still love them. But I was down to one dog, "Skipper", and when he checked out on me I was devestated. I went looking at Springer litter's everywhere and realized a huge flaw in me. I wasn't looking for a pup, I was looking for Skipper. I realized I couldn't be fair to another Springer so I went to pointing dogs.

At this point in my life dealing is a bit easier, not much, but a bit. Otis is 14yrs this spring and befor I know it,I'll be getting another dog. I've had a ton so maybe this time will be easier. I suppose that befor long Otis will deal me another blow.

Get a pup!

[hunter777]

Getting my pup in a few weeks! I can't wait.

[tnhoundsman]

got a six month old pup on his first race wednesday! he made all three bays and was still bayin when we killed the pig! oh and this was his first time in the woods!

[Don Fischer]

I don't really know squat about hounds other than chasing them in the dark in the Willamette Valley in Ore at night will likely run you thru blackberries! OUCH!!!! Everybody ought have a dog, they make us better peolpe!