Dog owners- what do you do during elk camp?
- Thread starter R.K.
- Start date
MTLabrador
Well-known member
Depends on the hunt and the dog. I like to take mine with me whenever possible.
Nick87
Well-known member
That's an awesome pic !
Hunting Wife
Well-known member
Depends on the hunt and the weather. Backcountry hunts or super cold weather she stays home and friends watch her.
She comes with on almost everything else though- she rides along and we have her bed and water in the back. She usually stays in the truck until pack out time. Otherwise she sees long guns and thinks we’re bird hunting.
She comes with on almost everything else though- she rides along and we have her bed and water in the back. She usually stays in the truck until pack out time. Otherwise she sees long guns and thinks we’re bird hunting.
rideold
Well-known member
Dog stays home. I brought her with me one year and left her with family where I hunt. That didn't work out too well.
Carnage2011
Well-known member
Find me a judge that’s going to prosecute for taking my dog along on a hike....my dog doesn’t come along for elk hunts, but she is always with me when I’m bear hunting.
Kaitum
Well-known member
It actually is illegal to have a dog with you while big game hunting in a few states.
D
Deleted member 28227
Guest
If Gus comes on the hunt, he's with me the entire time. I wouldn't take him on an archery hunt (he loses his mind when the bow comes out), but he does great rifle hunting. I usually have him lay down 15 yards behind me when I take the shot so I don't ring his ears too bad.
On a MT hunt I had to make an exposed stalk so I dropped my pack and told him to stay with it, I made a 400 yard stalk and he stayed put on the pack.
Take your dog out for scouting a see how it reacts, if it barks at game don't take it, if it chases game don't take it, if it won't stay put don't take it, if your dog doesn't respond to commands don't take it, if you have to use an e-collar with your dog don't take it, if the only time your dog listens to you is if your screaming... well you get the point.
Also from a legal aspect I would avoid taking hounds/coursing dogs/ or catch dogs like pit bulls into the field. If a warden sees you with a lab during an elk hunt they are going to have a very different reaction than if you have a plott hound.
On a MT hunt I had to make an exposed stalk so I dropped my pack and told him to stay with it, I made a 400 yard stalk and he stayed put on the pack.
Take your dog out for scouting a see how it reacts, if it barks at game don't take it, if it chases game don't take it, if it won't stay put don't take it, if your dog doesn't respond to commands don't take it, if you have to use an e-collar with your dog don't take it, if the only time your dog listens to you is if your screaming... well you get the point.
Also from a legal aspect I would avoid taking hounds/coursing dogs/ or catch dogs like pit bulls into the field. If a warden sees you with a lab during an elk hunt they are going to have a very different reaction than if you have a plott hound.
Our labs went along and stayed in camp, we just close the popup door and they were fine all day or while we were out. If not camping they stayed in the back of the truck that had a topper.
Have had the dog hunting conversation with our GW, he said he would look very hard at the situation and thinks that most dogs will give an indication of game that is near and hence would be aiding in the hunt, not legal.
Have had the dog hunting conversation with our GW, he said he would look very hard at the situation and thinks that most dogs will give an indication of game that is near and hence would be aiding in the hunt, not legal.
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
The problem with your dogs left in camp, in your vehicle, tied up, kennelled or whatever is that unbeknownst to you they are barking and making a racket all day long. You are gone; you don't hear it; you don't even realize how it irritates others.
If they don't get to enjoy what the activity is ... please leave them home.
406dn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2019
- Messages
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I've used most of the options. I've left them at home with my wife, boarded them and taken them along.
When I take them, they are kenneled in the horse trailer while we are hunting,, staked out when we are in camp.
They are not wired to just walk along on a hunt. They are wired to be hunting birds,,,period. If they are being told to heel,,, they'll do it but they aren't happy campers about it.
My preferred option is to leave them home,,,that is not my wife's preferred option. Boarding them get expensive quickly when you are boarding three or four dogs.
When I take them, they are kenneled in the horse trailer while we are hunting,, staked out when we are in camp.
They are not wired to just walk along on a hunt. They are wired to be hunting birds,,,period. If they are being told to heel,,, they'll do it but they aren't happy campers about it.
My preferred option is to leave them home,,,that is not my wife's preferred option. Boarding them get expensive quickly when you are boarding three or four dogs.
Carnage2011
Well-known member
Oh yes I’m aware. I just don’t see a judge punishing someone for bringing a dog along. It’s one thing if the dog is chasing game or something along those lines. Maybe it happens, but I’d pay the $85 fine and consider it the equivalent of a speeding ticket.
D
Deleted member 28227
Guest
It's all going to depend on context. Just use good judgement.
