few questions cause i wanna start hog huntn

[DirtAddict]

Man, I understand how people get spun up and take offense...easy to do over the internet.

It just pains me to see us bickering when we should all be working together. For example, there's a good chance California may lose the right to hound hunt (HSUS is threatening an anti-hound ballot initiative in 2012).

I think we sometimes forget we are on the same team. It really was a simple question that the OP asked.

[dogemdownsouth]

Pops I dont care about your dogs or what breed works for you, or how long you have been doing it. the comment about kill them all and load your shit and move is just silly as hell. There are way too many rookies carrying guns hog hunting. Im not about to be one of the ones encouraging it.

[DirtAddict]

There are way too many rookies carrying guns hog hunting. Im not about to be one of the ones encouraging it.

Personally I'd rather catch and tie. Knife is sooo much safer for everyone involved (especially the dogs), kills quicker and is a more humane harvest.

Unfortunately all that is illegal in California. So much I just don't get about this State.

[DirtAddict]

i coon hunt all the time but after watching some youtube videos on hog huntin i cant help but wanna try it.
first question---to start dogs out do you just put em in a pen with a hog u can buy from a farmer or somethn?
2nd----whats a good breed to run in your opinion?
3rd---whats a good number of dogs to run and whats the youngest youl hunt a dog?

im thinkn bout getn a catahoula and breeding my mtn.fiest heeler mix to a heeler and keepn a pup outa it for throwin with the dogs..the mtn.fist heeler is the grittyest dog ever and will fight a coon of any size.hes smart as a whip, take him rabbit huntn in snow,diller huntn when im campin,herds cows,coon hunts,and squirrel hunts....do you think one of his pups could make a hog dog?

Back to the original question. I have a catahoula Heeler Cross. She is no good on hogs. Loves small game. That's just the way she is. Both catahoulas and heelers can be good dogs, it just depends on their line. One problem is I think Catahoulas have been getting trendy recently, and most Heelers I've seen have been pets. As such, around here there are more of these dogs that are bred for show, not hunting ability. That means if you choose these breeds you should be extra careful and research the parents and their lines. Make sure they are are true hunting dogs, and ideally have been proven on the game you want to hunt.

If I were just starting out, I would go with something that's proven. If not a finished dog, maybe a started dog on hogs. That way you know you at least have something to work with. If you can, buy something local so you can see for yourself how the dog hunts in the woods. Ask for a 30 day trial as well.

That's what I would have done if I were to do it all over. I started with a puppy that was clearly a cull for pig hunting. I could have saved myself a whole lot of time and effort if I started with a dog I knew had what it took.

The second dog I bought was a YBMC from proven parents. He's got a little walker hound in him too. I should have listened to my own advice and bought a started dog, but there wasn't any I knew of available that were local. He is turning out okay.

To summarize:
To your first question: you can start'em in a pen, but you should move them quickly to the woods. Ideally pair them with a seasoned dog to show them the ropes. And don't start too early! Pigs are hard on dogs and starting yours too young can ruin them. There's a lot more to it than what can put in a single post. Best to hunt with someone who's got experience and they will fill in the details.

Second question: To be safe, especially for just starting out, stay with the standard types...catahoulas and blackmouths are common bay dogs for pig hunting. Catch dogs are usually pits of some sort. Of course there are other breeds. What's at least as important though is their breeding. Look for proven parents on the game you want to hunt.

Third question: How many dogs to run is personal opinion. I think three or four dogs is a good number to run. Some people say they can do it with one superstar dog. If your boars are runners, then maybe you need more, or dogs that are a little more ruff. Again, find someone who's been doing this awhile and learn from them.

Disclaimer...I've only been hog doggin a few years. There's guys I know and folks that are on this board that have been doing it for WAAAY longer and know a lot more than I do.

[NORMZILLA44]

Right on Dirt addict! Takes a good man to keep his hackles down, and try and cool a situation You are right we all should be united, but sad it does'nt work that way all the time. I agree with you about the heelers. I saw some real good ones, but only two that hunted out, because they stay close. I also think they are gritty as hell, and have seen them as some of the best stoppers. Relentless, and hit big boars at all angles. If you have a good nose dog, and a few of them two shut em down oh man youll get some pigs. I also agree knife is the best, and California has weird law's. I did start hunting with dog's and pistol. I learned and shot many. Same as running a pup with a veteran dog, same with a new hunter, and a veteran one thats Ideal. Imentioned it earlier, because thats what I did, and learned heaps. Take care man. twenty four years, and yes learning how to use a trakker. You can teach an old dog new tricks LOL!!!!

[Pops]

yep, still say kill everyone you can.
one hog eats as much mast as a bear or two deer (plus they kill & eat fawns and quail, rabbit & turkey nests). plus a bear doesn't tear the hell out of a stream & piss & crap in it to make a stinking wallow. for every hog you leave standing that is one less bear or two less deer you could have. while you're at it if you really care about all the wildlife (not just your favorite game) do your best to wipeout the starlings, english sparrows, free roaming cats, carp & any other nonnative animals.

[Pops]

to the OP
again start w/ the dog you know that is already hunting for you. you just have to put him where he can find a track he can take. worry about another dog once he starts finding hogs for you. unless you're doing hog removal for a living you don't need a world beater. and it's A OK to kill every one the dog finds for you.