State of the Deer Herd

Post by **TLunge** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:27 pm

The numbers seem to be down everywhere, I have not heard one report of numbers being up yet.
The area I hunt near Clayton has been absolutely infested in the last few years but this year its down to a more healthy population

Post by **Joe28** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:09 am

Wallyboss, Burnstown isn't really north of Bogie, its more like east. I grew up there and know that area so much its ridiculous. Doesn't mean I know the compass directions of course but I just think its easterly instead of northerly. Not like it matters... jeez I still wished I lived in Bogie. Maybe I'm wrong...

Post by **Jimmy_1** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 4:20 pm

In my area the landowner next to us has 800 acres. There are 12 guys in the camp and they run 9 hounds. They tag out in 3 days.

This year they had 1 doe by the end of week one.

62 (Snow Road) area has seen a huge decrease in deer. The wild winter and the hilly terrain was alot.

I am hoping to get one with a bow in early December.

I saw a doe opening day but she ran behind sage bush before I could shoot. We had a 10 pointer in the dogwoods but again no clear shot.

Many quite evening with only 1-2 shots heard.

Post by **Joe28** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:39 pm

Running hounds is unreliable and is the worst way to hunt deer.

Post by **Wallyboss** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:23 am

But it is one of the only way to get the deer out of the swamps. You got to be a real good quick shot though!!!
A loud whistle will stop them dead in their tracks and you need to be quick on your shot. Just whistle the deer is in an open area.

Post by **bradford2** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:37 am

Joe28 wrote:Running hounds is unreliable and is the worst way to hunt deer.

Seriously? I've never done it, and always wanted to try it with a gang...

Why do you figure? These guys always seem to do well.

Now if you're talking ethics, well thats your oppinion and I'm not going to get into a debate......

But in terms of effectiveness....... why do you find it unreliable?

Post by **Wallyboss** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:42 pm

I heard a good one about running hounds this year. We met a bunch from another hunting camp and they were telling us that they have been caught in a joke 2 years in a row by a friend of the owner. The guy puts his hounds in the back of his truck and tells them to "yep" and the dogs just go crazy. And then he takes off and drives the truck towards these guys hunting camp just around lunch time and two years in a row it's a big panic as soon as they hear the dogs going. They all start yelling , "you go there , and you go to this spot " so all the guys are running around to get to there spots and then all of a sudden the guy drives by with the hounds in the back of the pickup truck just laughing his head off.

They said that they will probably get caught again next year.

Post by **Wallyboss** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:45 pm

Brad if you have a chance go for it . Just make sure that the guys dogs are good ones. We used to have good dogs but this latest one is useless.

He'll take off after rabbits but completely ignores a fresh deer track, unless he actually sees the deer.

Post by **TLunge** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:23 pm

I know lots of people that hunt with hounds and really love it, I personally love stillhunting but its all good. I have hunted bunnies with a good beagle and man that is an exciting hunt
As far as un-reliable...I would have to say not, I know one old gummer who knows his property so well he parks his truck in the exact spot he knows the deer will run by and steps out and waits, and blasts them running by with an ol' shotgun laoded with buckshot and is pretty reliable at it

Post by **Joe28** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:15 am

Yeah... I don't really want to get into it... if I may offer a suggestion... just don't get involved with it. It's not really a respectable way to hunt... stay out of it...

Post by **Joe28** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:27 am

Running dogs is cowardly... they lose dogs all the time. Do they care? How is getting a deer worth losing a dog? That's what I want to know? They don't care... Whatever... results aren't worth it. Anyways, basically noone that hunts now really'needs' the meat... its a hobby these days.

I met a starved, radio-collared dog once in the woods before... it ran away... so sad...

Post by **Joe28** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:37 am

bradford2 wrote:
Joe28 wrote:Running hounds is unreliable and is the worst way to hunt deer.
Seriously? I've never done it, and always wanted to try it with a gang...

Why do you figure? These guys always seem to do well.

Now if you're talking ethics, well thats your oppinion and I'm not going to get into a debate......

But in terms of effectiveness....... why do you find it unreliable?

Yeah, its a good way to hunt if you're a heartless guy that doesn't mind losing your dogs to get a deer. So, lose a dog or two but you gain a deer. If that sounds good to you then go for it. And if anyone is a sick enough F#cker to think effectiveness is more important than ethics... well, F#ck you and I hope you get f%ck all this year. Heartless, cruel f#ckers, give hunters a bad name. Its stupid anyway... garb hunters anyway...

Post by **Joe28** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:53 am

Ethics is not my problem...

Dogs love to work, run and chase deer...
They usually do make for a successful hunt...
Some of the dogs that are sent out get lost and don't come back...
That's my problem...
Some don't come back...

That's why running dogs is dirty...

Ban it...
Its not worth it...

Post by **Joe28** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 5:12 am

Wallyboss wrote:I heard a good one about running hounds this year. We met a bunch from another hunting camp and they were telling us that they have been caught in a joke 2 years in a row by a friend of the owner. The guy puts his hounds in the back of his truck and tells them to "yep" and the dogs just go crazy. And then he takes off and drives the truck towards these guys hunting camp just around lunch time and two years in a row it's a big panic as soon as they hear the dogs going. They all start yelling , "you go there , and you go to this spot " so all the guys are running around to get to there spots and then all of a sudden the guy drives by with the hounds in the back of the pickup truck just laughing his head off.

They said that they will probably get caught again next year.

That's not a 'good one'. That's a tragedy...

Reads like a camp full of idiots. Makes me worry that wearing a full suit of blaze hunter orange may not be enough to protect myself from this calibre of 'man' or 'men'. I may stay out of the woods now... I'm sad now... so there's actually an entire 'camp' of stupid guys out there? I almost want to quit hunting... I don't want to be associated with dummies like that. So the stories and stereotypes are true...

Post by **bardern** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:10 am

Joe the guys that are running hounds are doing NOTHING wrong. Is it legal ? Yes. Is it a time honoured tradition? Certainly. Is it effective? In certain circumstances yes.

Your arguments are the same as the old Crossbow/Compound arguments that used to swirl around. There are enough Animal Rights freako's out there that are looking to chip away at our hunting tradition and your soap boxing plays right into their hands by pitting hunters against one another.
Just because you don't happen to agree with running hounds their are many of your FELLOW hunters that don't share your point of view. And just because they don't share your point of view that doen't warrant calling ANYONE STUPID!

After you manage to shut down hounds what is next on your plate Joe? Is baiting ethical? Is using cutting edge camo and scent control ethical? Is using pop-up blinds ethical? When you single out a particular method or piece of equipment it is a slippery slope you are on. Remember the Spring Bear Hunt?