The New Huntmastersbbs!: Landlocked!

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Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 03, 2015, 07:41 AM:

Seems like winter came all at once here. Recent snowfalls have kept the NYC sanitation on "emergency" on/off for the last few weekends. That translates to our shop being open 24/7 to accommodate them, and I can't get away to go play in the snow upstate. Aside from a quick weekend in Okieland, winter's been a bust for calling!

Thankfully, got this little red dog and enough woods close by to keep both of us entertained, as usual! Keeping sharp on the squirrels & coon...

http://vid12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/fredo411/videos/8E9A0640-0021-45C0-8A87-16B5D5FE569C_zps9z3apwjm.mp4

Posted by R.Shaw (Member # 73) on February 03, 2015, 10:12 AM:

Fred...A man is fortunate to own one good dog during his lifetime. You are very lucky.

Posted by jimanaz (Member # 3689) on February 03, 2015, 04:35 PM:

^^ Real well said. "Good" is a relative term, though. I've been blessed with a few that fit MY definition of good.

Good stuff, Fredo. Stay safe!

Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 04, 2015, 04:53 AM:

Thanks guys. He doesn't miss a beat and keeps me on the straight & narrow!

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 04, 2015, 09:10 AM:

I got an email from somebody? who asks why you waste him chasing squirrels?

But, I agree. In my life, I have owned dogs. A few seem to stand out, like my redbone. She was a beautiful dog, looked a bit like yours, only bigger and leaner, and she would go right up trees, a real climber. Wasn't aggressive but she never backed down from any dog, I guess she was a modified alpha type. Yes, possibly my favorite, she drowned in the pool. <sigh>

I had one other that stands out. Mimi was a AKC papered poodle but don't let that fool ya. She had "birdy" instincts like you wouldn't believe, could catch sparrows stealing her chow. She was more of a flushing type, not pointing but loved the field and was very careful with rattlesnakes. Wouldn't chase a rabbit if her life depended on it; that was for chumps. She would change anybody's preconceived opinion about poodles, just a regular dog.

Everybody keeps telling me I need another dog for a companion. I have been thinking about it for years, but it will have to be a special dog.

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on February 04, 2015, 05:33 PM:

quote:
....why you waste him chasing squirrels

Chasing squirrels and sending emails third person to a board where everyone hates your guts seems kind of redundant......no wait, chasing squirrels makes more sense.

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on February 04, 2015, 05:40 PM:

I need to take my "squirrel girl" out again. Maybe this weekend.

OK, I finally figured out this picture stuff for this site only.

I brought the essentials, except the Aunt Jemima.

[ February 04, 2015, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: DanS ]

Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 05, 2015, 05:36 AM:

Good for you two, Dan! You got a pretty girl there...

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 05, 2015, 07:15 AM:

Hey Fred. How come you don't get shit about moving from New York like I get about getting the hell out of The People's Republik? Just wondering?

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 05, 2015, 10:50 AM:

Leonard, I get shit about that all the time!

Akin to your fascist state, the urban political power base somewhat ruins living in an otherwise wonderfully diverse & beautiful state.
My family is small & tight knit. Mom is too old, and niece is too young to actually pull up roots. Likewise, for my line of work. So, for the time being, im stickin' it out...

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 05, 2015, 11:24 AM:

....good to know.

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on February 05, 2015, 04:01 PM:

I was up in Peek'n Peak for an archery tournament a few years back. Up state has some beautiful country. Just like Northern Cal. Stayed in Pine grove Sutters creek area with some friends back in the 80's.

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on February 05, 2015, 07:30 PM:

Ive put off getting another dog for many years now. Ive been very fortunate to have had three really good dogs in my life thus far.....two more than I deserve.
I pulled the trigger last month and got a pup from a guy I used to work and hunt with. So far, this guy is showing good smarts, very curious,obedient,and thus far, fears nothing. I think he is going to be a good one?

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on February 05, 2015, 07:34 PM:

What kind of dog is that?

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on February 05, 2015, 10:56 PM:

He's a spotted, bat eared, needle toothed, hand chewer.

Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on February 06, 2015, 02:31 AM:

Looks like he's part heeler(Australian cattle dog)
Good luck with that one my current dog April is a red heeler mix and is my favorite dog she is loyal to a fault afraid of nothing loves to hunt coyotes what little time she gets to do it anymore. but without a doubt she is not the brightest dog I have ever owned we refer to her as simple. sorta like in the south 'bless her heart'. Would not trade her for anything.

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on February 06, 2015, 06:43 AM:

I thought "cattle dogs" were supposed to be really smart dogs.

(added) I thought the same for constitutional scholars and presidents too, for a while anyways.

[ February 06, 2015, 06:45 AM: Message edited by: DanS ]

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 06, 2015, 08:31 AM:

When I read the question, what kind of dog is that? I was thinking of that old joke: "Well before I cut his tail and painted him yellow, he was an alligator."

That is an odd looking animal, but you can see the curious in the eyes.

As far as Paul's dog, bless her heart. She is also persistant, as when making friends. That bump on her head kinda sets the tone.

Anybody have a hound pup they want to git rid of?

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on February 06, 2015, 02:40 PM:

Vic, is your new pup gun shy? I have owned a couple 3 or 4 healers and only one wasn't gun shy, tough lil' bastards and loyal is what comes to mind when seeing one. Hope it works out for ya both.

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on February 06, 2015, 05:00 PM:

Nice looking dogs by everyone. Vic's pup really caught my eye though..
[Cool]

Posted by jimanaz (Member # 3689) on February 06, 2015, 05:21 PM:

IMO, a good dog (your own definition) ranks pretty high on the must have list. Good luck to you, Victor. Hope he makes the grade.

A random phone call last night may have secured Bella a running mate...and a much overdue trip to Oklahoma.

Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 06, 2015, 06:05 PM:

Still wasting time here, now running coon tracks back to dens...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/fredo411/videos/87ACE515-8BC5-441B-BE4F-3CE4F2688490_zps3w40pn6w.mp4

I prolly woulda named Mr Vic's up "Frosty". Those heelers sure are cool dogs! One dairy farm I hunt has a red heeler named "Rusty". He's a cantankerous SOB, I dig him...

Jimzy, oh no you didn't!!!

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on February 06, 2015, 08:51 PM:

Thus far the little guy does not appear to be gun shy, although it has only been exposed to two rifle shots last week on an evening stand.
Everyone has a different idea about what they want in a dog when it comes to coyotes. All I want is a hunting companion, ie; extra set of eyes and ears, and a good nose. With those tools, they can tell you a lot if you pay attention to them on stand. I also like a dog to trail and bay an injured coyote, and this pups nose is showing promise, he uses it constantly when out hunting with me, and I encourage the behavior.
Im not a member of the decoy dog fan club; I don't like a "busy" stand, with a dog running around, while Im intent on looking for an incoming coyote. For my style of calling, I find it to distracting, or possibly, Im just to damned lazy to train a dog properly for the task.
I had a Texas Heeler years back, that's a blue heeler crossed with an austrailian shepard, that set the pattern for what I'd like to see this pup do. That dog would sit or lay 10 yards in front of me, looking intently all around, I could tell the second he saw something I didn't, which was fairly often. He would never run out to engage the coyote or run it off, just sit there until the shot. If it was a drop dead coyote, he would wool it some, if it was an escapee, he would quickly run it down and kill it.
I never cared for him running in to kill them, I would have preferred him to dance around and bark, but he had other ideas and I just didn't know how to stop that behavior?
Im not planning much more hunting this year, but I will take him out a few more times for laughs, but at just five months old, he is fairly young to expect anything profound?

Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on February 07, 2015, 05:24 AM:

Vic, your thoughts on a dog, remind me of one I'd have liked to have taken home with me.

On a stand out in the Book Cliffs, long time ago, way before the current oil boom, used to be a pretty out of the way place.

Anyway, couple minutes in to the stand, here comes a heeler of all things! He runs straight up to the caller, circles it until he got my scent, followed it straight to me and for the rest of the stand acted exactly as you just described.

With one exception. He kept looking at me, with a look on his face like - "we're gonna get one a them sumbitches ain't we?!".

Just very obvious that dog had been on a few coyote stands before!

Stand over, no customers, I got a strange dog on my hands! Had on a collar, but no tags. Just about the time I was fixing to start looking for his people, we heard someone calling for him. He looked at me like "sorry, would love to do this all day, but I gotta go!" and off he went.

- DAA

Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on February 07, 2015, 06:44 AM:

Most cattle dogs I've met are smart Dan , that's what make April special.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 07, 2015, 09:07 AM:

I have had quite a few dogs come to a stand. One time, on the Navajo res. we called in sheep dogs on probably 75% of the stands. Interestingly, they all look similar, not much variety.

But, usually, a couple dogs, less common, a single which usually means there is a farm near by.

I have had a few coon hounds come in to a night stand and gladly get in the truck. That can present a problem if the dog has I.D. and such.

I remember one time on the border, we had a german shepard type dog follow us from stand to stand for well over five, maybe ten miles? Never actually closed the distance, I guess he was just curious?

We have a few places, mainly the high desert where there are feral dogs roaming and you need to be careful. I don't know if actual documented cases of harassment of children waiting for a bus, but these dogs are genuinely wild, more wolf-like than coyote. Some of it is suburban legend, of course, but I have seen them and it's comforting to have a rifle in my hands.

Vic used to have a dog, Bootsie that reminded me very much of my redbone except mine didn't have a dark saddle. Very sad how he lost her.

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on February 10, 2015, 09:36 AM:

Went out this morning for a couple stands and took the pup again. He shows great interest and readily loads up in the truck and heads for the travel kennel, seems anxious to go and enjoys being in on the hunt.
First stand, we bumped a pair on the two track going to my first stand, I just let the truck crawl, and watched the coyotes trot into the open tall grass pasture until they were out of sight. Stopped the truck, walked out to a corner post, and started calling.
Big male came in at about the two minute mark, the pup was milling around me, but not paying attention. Im getting about a 60/40 split of attention versus screwing the pooch, but he is a pup?
Coyote bounced thru the knee high grass, spotted the dog and locked up at about 40 yards to my left. I had to twist my stool and knees to the left to make the shot, and the coyote seemed oblivious to the movement while staring at the pup.
Drop dead shot, pup didn't spook at the report of the rifle, smelled it halfway there to pick him up, trotted over, raised his hackles and sniffed him over thoroughly.

[ February 10, 2015, 09:45 AM: Message edited by: Az-Hunter ]

Posted by Brent Parker (Member # 4354) on February 10, 2015, 09:42 AM:

Nice picture. Good looking pup.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 10, 2015, 10:43 AM:

He has an intelligent stare.

I will say this: if I were searching for a typical ranch dog from CENTRAL CASTING, he would be perfect.

Good post Vic. I see you figured out how to post pictures?

Good hunting. El Bee

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on February 10, 2015, 05:08 PM:

I didn't figure anything out, it just worked my last two attempts, I don't know what I did right this time, nor what I had done wrong, the last several times they failed to post?
Your spot on Leonard, the pup is nothing more than a ranch dog; but a ranch dog that likes to tag along hunting with his old man. I would never pretend to know how to train a dog for coyote decoying; you need the right dog, right equipment, and the knowledge to use them. If all he does is make an occasional hunting companion and fools a coyote now and then when he is along with me, Im a happy camper. His main purpose is watch dog around the place; keep the wetbacks and javelina from hanging around, and Im good.
Brent, along Cal, are the real deal coyote dog guys here, maybe Brent will throw up a few photos of what dogs he is currently running on his jobs now?, He always has some good ones.

Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on February 10, 2015, 05:59 PM:

Very nice Vic !!

Oh' yeah, my wife and daughter say he's cute [Big Grin]

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 10, 2015, 08:34 PM:

That's really all I would expect from a dog. Just a companion, and hope he doesn't get in the way, or drag too much mud inside. I wouldn't keep him in a cage, he'd be riding shotgun and nosing all the windows.

Good hunting. El Bee

edit: tracking a cripple would be his job, too. But, I don't want my dog chasing coyotes...like them airdales!

[ February 10, 2015, 08:36 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on February 11, 2015, 12:06 PM:

You old softie; I can see a hound in your future, slobbering all over your interior windows, with your truck smelling like a wet dog.
My trucks have never been anything special, but I paid good money for them and try to keep them clean. I just can't abide having a dog in the cab with me. Hell; there's been a few people I would have preferred ride in back, much less having a damned dog riding and slobbering in the cab.

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 11, 2015, 12:56 PM:

I must have had a well behaved dog? I don't remember all that?

Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on February 17, 2015, 11:05 AM:

One last update; I don't want to prattle on about my pup, he's just a dog, and we all have or had one, but had a very interesting morning.
First stand had a small but pretty little coyote come charging in, had enough time to get the dogs attention while it was coming in. The pup spotted it about 20 yards from call and when the coyote stopped to sniff the call, he made three hops forward and did his version of a big dog growl. The coyote damned sure looked, but put it in high gear and tore off, not even a hint it was curious enough to stop. Pleased myself with an 80 yard quartering running shot, like she had hit a trip wire.
Third stand is where it got fun. Within three minutes had a big adult pair coming in from way out. The dog was milling around behind me, I called him repeatedly until he finally came over and looked like he knew what he was doing. If I tell him sharply the word "listen", he will usually spend the next two minutes intently looking all around, but he just couldn't seem to make the incoming pair, but the grass was high from his view I suppose?
When they got close, I could see the big male slow down, but the bitch came right to the call, circled and lock stared with the pup. Easy frontal shot at about 20 yards. The big male just half circled to our right at about seventy-five yards looking at the dog. I kept urging him to go out a bit, but he was just froze, sitting looking at that coyote.
The big male put his head in the down low position and zig-zagged to within 50 yards, turned sideways and started challenge barking the dog. I liver shot him, he ran 20 yards and summer saulted in a pile.
I used some hurt coyote distress for a minute or two, and I'll be damned if I caught sight of another pair coming deliberately from 200 yards out. I quit calling, got the dogs attention again and pushed him out in front of me and told him to listen again. He caught sight of them this time pretty quick, but he did nothing more than sit right at my side at attention.
That pair spotted the dog right off, and without ever making another sound with the caller, I bet they stuck around for 6 to 8 minutes. Coming in to within 30 yards, raise hell and challenge bark, then retreat out to 100 yards or so, back and forth, three or four times. I had the crosshairs on both of them several times, but just couldn't bring myself to shoot. I just wanted to see what would transpire.
Im sure Brent,Cal,Jim and Kelly have seen this scenario hundreds of times, but a first for me, to see it play out right in front of me. I have to confess, I almost felt guilty killing the first pair because it was so easy. I could have killed the second pair three times over, but decided not to shoot them.
Way different actions and reactions from the coyotes compared to my normal calling setup with just me and a call, then adding the dog in the mix. Im not sure it's my cup of tea, but I can see where the guys that have to kill coyotes, it can be a real game changer.

Posted by Brent Parker (Member # 4354) on February 17, 2015, 12:07 PM:

Sounds like you could get hooked? Get's interesting doesn't it... You can mold the dog into whatever you want, I am going to pull gear at the end of this week I'll try to stop by next week if you have time..

[ February 17, 2015, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: Brent Parker ]

Posted by booger (Member # 3602) on February 17, 2015, 12:09 PM:

Great story! I am sure that if he goes with you on enough stands, the 'wolf' in him will come out when the switch finally comes on!

Posted by DanS (Member # 316) on February 17, 2015, 04:21 PM:

Brandi

My first video attempt. It is harder doing all this by yourself. [Smile]

You obviously have to put the I-phone down to pick up the rifle.

<laffin>

[ February 17, 2015, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: DanS ]

Posted by jimanaz (Member # 3689) on February 17, 2015, 04:57 PM:

quote:
Im not sure it's my cup of tea

First thing, please remove me from the 100's club. I'm still in the novice, "several" classification. [Smile]

Now that you're back, if you keep taking him, and he takes to it, it WILL be your cup. As long as you have been calling coyotes, a dog adds another dimension besides the camaraderie. You will see your dog do things you never would otherwise, and see coyotes do things you've never seen and would swear they never would. Today was your first dose with a young pup. It's only going to get more satisfying.

I get a bigger kick out of watching my dog do her thing than I do when I make a particularly good shot. God knows, she feels the same way, too. LOL

The biggest detraction is that weather doesn't put us out amongst 'em when a dog would be the most beneficial. You'll see a bunch run off. You'll see a bunch lock up and stare. You'll learn to just shoot them. But now and then, you'll be on a stand for 30 minutes, and it will seems like you just sat down when you get up.

Welcome home!

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 18, 2015, 08:17 AM:

Maybe not a fair opinion, at such an early stage, but the pup doesn't seem to know what he's there for? Like the above clip of Brandi. She KNOWS why she's there and can't wait for the action.

AS far as a dog on stand, in general. I have heard Vic complain most vigorously about JohnHenry's dogs. That guy had a far different attitude and concept. Well, whatever floats your boat, but I don't know if the future of coyote hunting depends on having a sharp dog scouting for you? I admit, I have not seen enough of it, just Higgins' dog Mattie. And, she sure as hell had the concept.

Like was said above, next thing you know, you've been there thirty minutes.....when you could have shot the damned coyote within five and moved on. But, since man does not live by bread alone, there is the pleasure of watching those things happen that you never saw before.

I know it's not really possible, but wouldn't it be interesting if somebody like Cal could train a pup coyote as a decoy dog? Now, that, I'd pay to see.

Good hunting. El Bee

edit:

quote:
"several" classification.

yes, perhaps, but when I call central casting, I am looking for somebody exactly like Jimenez to play the part.

[ February 18, 2015, 08:33 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]

Posted by Brent Parker (Member # 4354) on February 18, 2015, 10:31 AM:

Leonard,

What J-H dog Mickey did in the beginning and the end are two different things. I know I kept her for a couple years in the end, she was smarter than him and it pissed him off. She didn't cast out or run around she knew the coyotes were coming to the sound... But she was very good at reading a coyote to make it stay around until you shot it. Didn't matter if it was in 30 seconds or several minutes. I modeled Lilly after her and in our country it works very well.
We all have our own styles and want different things but the outcome is the same. A dead coyote.
Brent

Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on February 18, 2015, 01:46 PM:

Fun aint it Vic.

Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 19, 2015, 06:06 PM:

Still wasting away here...

Posted by Eddie (Member # 4324) on February 20, 2015, 06:31 AM:

Hey Fed how much snow have you had for the winter? Did you get hit as hard as Boston?

Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on February 20, 2015, 07:35 AM:

Not sure Eddie, but down here its prolly 1/2 of the 7-8 feet that the NE area has gotten...

I actually really like the cold and snow of winter! Once it gets below 20 or so, the cold begins wreaks havoc on heavy machinery, hydraulics, etc, so that makes work a friggin' PITA.

Might be able to get up to the farm tomorrow! Farmer plowed the way to the house & said he could almost see the front door behind 5 feet of drifted snow! There's PLENTY of snow up there in Central NY, and sub-zero ambient temps to go along with. Will have to strap on the snowshoes to go make stands...yippee!!!

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on February 20, 2015, 08:30 AM:

quote:
I actually really like the cold and snow of winter!

That's just sick!

Different strokes, and all, but cold and snow is miserable conditions! People are engaging in hand to hand combat over a shoveled out parking space!

Sorry, Fred. Couldn't help myself. I like summer. I was born and raised in Minneesota. You can keep your snow and cold!

Good hunting. El Bee

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