I’m a CPA tax accountant by trade so sitting on my duff is something I’m good at. Having to do some actual work in my yard and have company.. not bowhunting related but a beautiful day in Salida, CO.. best to ya ..
I have never been without dogs in my life. Now that I'm alone in life I'll soon be faced with a difficult decision about replacing my old girl. As a big game hunter who spends 70 or more days afield, it will require more compromises in how and where I hunt to care for a dog during hunting season. You can't just leave your best friend in a camper all day or for several days...
Jaquomo.... I dealt with those things this past season. Thankfully my daughter lives just a few minutes from me, and was able to lend a helping hand. I didn’t travel out of state this year, for the first time in about 15 years, because of him. I just stayed home and hunted white tails. As a saved shelter dog, we think he is near 14, half deaf and going blind. I know what the future holds, and having to have done it in the past, I’m dreading the day that it has to be done.
Kia certainly wouldn’t know what to do without her homework partner!
Kia certainly wouldn’t know what to do without her homework partner!
This is my boy Buck and I. I’ve had a lab most of my life. Had gone too many years without one before we got Buck last year. He’s an awesome dog in the field and fun to have around the house as well!
Thanks, BC, mine was an abused shelter puppy with only one eye. She has been my once-in-a-lifetime dog. I have no relatives in the area and while my neighbors would look after her, I don't want to burden them for weeks. And her back end isn't working well anymore, so she sometimes slips and needs help getting up. Her time may come before this hunting season. For now she's happy and wants to "go", even though our walks now are just around the yard.
If she makes it until elk season I will take her again, will help her up and down the ramp, will hunt mornings and evenings out of base camp, and consider it a bittersweet sacrifice to spend the last days with the greatest friend I've ever known.
This is Jada Sioux, and Kiska on the Sagavanirktok R. just south of Deadhorse, AK in 2015. Jada had lost her left front leg to cancer just 4 months before this photo was taken. The vets recommended amputation 5 years earlier but we declined, opting instead for chemo and radiation. She had 5 good years before the cancer returned. They gave her 6 months to a year after the surgery. She beat those odds also. We lost her on another trip up north 2 years later, when the cancer returned quickly and aggressively. We are coming up on the two-year anniversary of her death, and I still think of her every day. Kiska is now almost 13, with many orthopedic issues. We are staying home this year partly because we don't think she will survive another extensive road trip, even though she seems to enjoy them.
This became Jada's favorite game after she lost her leg - I would kick snowballs in the air for her to catch. She always loved the water and also re-learned how to swim with only three legs.
I thought this was my dog when we got him, but there is no doubt now this is my 9 year old daughters dog. Sure, I still get to scoop the landmines, and pay for the dog bills but they are best buddies.
My girls named him Lucky, which is appropriate. He is lucky I haven't shot him dead yet.
I work from home full time and my English Setter is there the whole time. Last year he had chemotherapy so he's aged a lot recently but he's still my best friend. I couldn't help but share this after seeing all those beautiful photos. This is Diego...
This is Tater tot... my mole killing, hole digging, squirrel chasing, deer camp chilling, ferocious 9lb wiener dog. She's almost 7 and her spirit has never been broke. Love her!
This is little Izzy our Brittany we got her a few weeks back after losing our golden a few months ago. She’s very birdy at 18 weeks old I think she may be a winner!
My English Pointer "Ruder" on his last hunt here in KS. He died suddenly one day in my yard, only 6yrs old. I can't prove it but I think my neighbor poisoned him...liked to howl at every siren and they had complained several times...I said he's just a dog and that's what dogs do.
I live on a dead end county road. Somebody dumped her off and she ended up at my place. My job entails that I’m gone a lot. The first night she showed up, I thought “the last thing I need is a dog”! I had to leave the next morning, so I thought I wouldn’t feed her and she would leave. I made the mistake of telling my dad about her. I came home the next night and the dog was still there....along with a water dish and a bag of dog food!
She was the best dog I’ve ever had! She figured out very quickly, that when I had to leave for a few days, she would slip through the timber to my folks’ house about a half mile away and stay with them till I got back.
She lived a great life with us for 12 years. It was a very sad day when we had to take her in and put her down. I cried like a baby :-(
Troy, myself and many here will most likely be doing the same some day. I don't look forward to that day, but know it will come. I will be shedding many tears I'm sure of.
Jaquamo, I elk hunted with a friend from Rangely, Todd several years ago. When we arrived at camp he had a chocolate lab in his camp (Gauge). The first morning we went out he had Gauge with us. I ask why he was going. He told me he always hunts with him and not to worry. He never had to speak to Gauge as he took all hand signals. At the first siting of elk he gave Gauge a hand signal to lie down and stay. We pursued the elk for 30-45 minutes then Todd whistled once and a few minutes later there was Gauge. He was a pleasure to hunt with and no hindrance at all. This scenario happened several times. What I thought would never work was no problem. A few days later in the hunt we were going down a two track with Todd in the lead, then Gauge and I was last. I heard a noise and a large black bear was charging down the mountain. As he got closer I raised my bow above my head , tried looking big and walking towards the rapidly closing bear. Gauge leaped between me and the bear and he stopped the charge at about 20-25 yards with Gauge growling, barking and running toward him. The bear then turned and ran. One quick word and Gauge broke off the chase. Great dog to hunt with and he could hunt with me anytime.
Thanks for the great story, Ben. I believe Bigdan used to hunt his dog as well. I thought about doing that with Maggie when she was younger but afraid she was too "yellow". She would have done very well.
Little did he know besides packing his food on one side he was packing my beverarge on the other.
Little did he know besides packing his food on one side he was packing my beverarge on the other.
Trapper is 10 1/2 and went totally deaf last September so was wondering how pheasant hunting would go. Didn't seem to change a thing. He now is noticeably attentive to my hand motions around home now.
My girl Ivy,,she's not a hunter,but she's been a part of of thousand of fish being caught,,she loves the water,,she's swam across the Potomac river and half way back...I. A smallmouth guide,she's on the water A lot!!
Not just man’s best friend! I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt better about being gone on longer hunting trips knowing he was at home to keep the family company and to help keep them safe!
My labs first retrieve. I’d never taken him hunting before. He was three at the time. When he saw the first bird inside down in the water with its feet moving he knew what to do. From that point on everytime I shot he would start shaking looking for a duck.
New addition to our home. We had 2 other Aussies and they have been great so back to the well. His name is Scout so hopefully he can help out this fall.
My son's Golden pup just finished obedience training. Anyone ever used a Golden on a bloodtrail? Just wondering how they might work out. Sure are some good looking dogs on here with some great caring owners. Good luck to you and your dogs.......Bob
We went with a gsd this time. We had 2 wonderful labs until recently. It’s a whole new world compared to labs. My wife wanted something a little more protective and she got it! She’s a Great dog for the kids . Very protective.
Badbull we are training our youngest golden to blood trail. She was part of 3 recovery's this last fall. Of all her training sessions on upland, waterfowl and trailing she seems to like trailing exercises the best! This is our first time training one of our Golden's to trail but pretty excited with the success. PM me if I can answer any questions.
Izzi's true personality..."I ain't no foo-foo dog!"
Izzi's true personality..."I ain't no foo-foo dog!"
This is my other "hunting" dog, Izzi. My wife and daughter wanted a little "foo-foo" dog. My son and I went to a 3-D shoot one Saturday and while we were gone the girls picked up Izzi. I had no idea and wasn't thrilled to say the least. Now this little dog has me wrapped around her paw....and is very seldom a "foo-foo" dog!
A few weeks later he found the match. He'll be 6 in June. He is a true bonehead. He might come if you call, if he is not interested in something organic.
He's been known to get himself into a bit of trouble occasionally as well...
He's been known to get himself into a bit of trouble occasionally as well...
My submission-my 3 year old golden Lambeau. An absolute predator in the cattails but a giant dope around home and as gentle as can be with my 8 month old.
Your killing me I travel too much now for a dog...but it keep the jitters down I have sculpted a few in bronze... the GSP is based on a dog my dad had when i was a kid..... sold a couple in the series and did one when I changed the finish (patina) to match the dogs markings....
Here is a picture I set up with my Lab when he was a puppy....he kept moving and knocking everything over...move his head and ruin the angle or screw his ear up......kick his leg and the carefully placed paper shotgun shells would go rolling.....or getting up and walking away finally I got a good shot....it took hours but I was having fun...
Here is Arnie, Our deaf deer tracking dog. We had to put him down at 14 yrs, two weeks ago. He had a great nose for tracking and wouldn’t bark on the trail. And he was a clown his whole life.
My Buddy who is editor of Sporting Classics Magazine did this painting that ended up on the cover... he is going to a do a series of sporting dogs hunting has some cool ideas coming up....he sent me one of the prints on canvas it is a cool piece...
Great Pics everyone. I never get tired of looking at pics of hunting dogs.
This is my Spinoni Italiano Isabella. She's a bit of a goofball still (20 months old) but a great buddy and she handles like a dream in the field. She hasn't figured out that she doesn't have to point every tweety bird she sees and smells yet, but that comes with lots of experience.
Savy dog people know the breed, but lots of people ask me if she's a Goldendoodle, or a Labradoodle.
Here’s my wife’s dog, Hemi. We just couldn’t bring ourselves to get another dog for over a year after we had to put Poochie Mama down, but finally my wife was ready for another dog. I wasn’t real keen on a husky, but Hemi has been a great dog. She LOVES everyone! She is a pet therapy dog, and such a gentle beast with everyone. The only downside is, she sheds like crazy!
I prefer hunting breeds, but my wife picked up Stewie from the shelter in Wausau, WI 14 years ago. Had to say goodbye today. Lived with us in 3 states, even been up and down Pikes Peak with me a few times. He loved every adventure.
Our hound "Bandit.". My son shot a gopher near camp and once he smelled it, he took off and began digging one up for himself.. hopefully he is as persistent on cats this fall.
The JRT in the back of the Mule is my little buddy Jake. I had to put him down just after hunting season ended in January. This was the last buck he found. You can still see the blood on his muzzle. Licking blood was always his reward for tracking a deer
This guy is Wilson. He found me at the deer lease about 4 years ago. He was skinny and full of ticks and fleas when he found me. No collar and I figured he was a day or so away from becoming coyote food. Tried to find his owner to no avail. I think he was abandoned. He jumped in the Mule and I snapped this picture of him. Sent the picture to my wife and she said bring him home. Named him Wilson after the movie Castaway. He is worthless but just a big love machine.
My dogs are not hunting dogs. They all seem to be just goofballs sent to me by God to put a smile on my face everyday. The hardest day is to lose your friend. The best day is to remember the years spent with that friend. I love these dog threads.
My first “kid” and my last kid. My Visla is 12 years old this month. I only use him for quail and dove but he would have made a good duck dog too. He’s the best all around pet I’ve had, I’ll miss him.
Short 2 minute video my boys put together last night of our shorthair. It’s actually pretty funny how well he listens, or should I say doesn’t listen. HA!!
For all you dog people, I would highly recommend purchasing dog insurance. We've been doing that for our dogs for over 25 years. The vet bills it has covered have always exceeded the insurance cost. Working/hunting dogs are especially prone to injuries, and not having to worry about proper medical attention is well worth it. Recently, we noticed our lab, who will be 13 next month, was eating more tentatively than normal, and was acting like she was in pain. We suspected a tooth problem. Fortunately, we have a vet in the area who specializes in dental work. It turned out she needed a root canal in an upper canine, and had a large abscess in a back molar that needs to be extracted. $2,600.00 later she is back to herself. Insurance paid all but about $350.00 of it.
This is our charcoal lab pup that Millie's named Cinder. 24 weeks old and 47#. She's heading to Cibolo TX in August for "finishing" with Bigfoot Kennels.
10 days after posting my picture, she tore her second CCL in her right rear. Currently relaxing and getting rehab at my moms due to my work constraints. $14 grand total in both rear legs on a 12 year old dog and I couldn't have spent the money any better. Ready for November the Dr says .
My two hunting buddies. The puppy in the front seat and older girl in the bed. The older dog is hell on grouse and woodcock. The puppy is just getting started. Love our dogs.