DOG for hunting

[huntinhick]

Hello all,

how many of you hunt without dogs?  How important is a dog to duck hunting?  I thought about posting this under hunting dogs but I think that would have been a pretty one sided response.  I was looking at the cost of the dogs and the training and started to wonder how much use the dog would be.  Is it great or just nice?

thanks
carl

[cmiller85]

It depends on where you hunt. In a cornfield or flooded fields dogs are nice to have, But if you hunt rivers, lakes, and ponds and don't like swimming in frigid, near freezing water a dog is Great to have!

[NWTFhunter]

I wouldnt hunt birds any other way ! Period.
I have had a Vizsla that was an amazing upland dog, I paid a little over 500 for him and he was worth every cent.
I had a yellow lab that was a great retreiver, didnt mind any temp water and paid 200 for her.
I now have a English Pointer that loves to hunt all day long and finds birds that I would never find on my own. I paid 100 for her, and again worth every cent.
I got my Pointer from a friend who rescued her, and I gave him back what he had into her rescue.

I have hunted birds for many years, and have seen many a guy out there solo and I just scratch my head.

[huntingfool7]

Started duck hunting without a dog and did that for about three years.  Now I wouldn't go afield without a four legged partner.
They will find birds you would have lost without 'em and swim for birds that you would of been getting wet standing on your tip toes for.

[halflife65]

I don't even really like hunting without a dog.  Just makes the hunt, I think.  But like someone else said, if the water is not deep and you can use chest waders or you are hunting over a field, a dog isn't necessary, although it sure helps finding them sometimes.

[h2ofowlr]

My dog is always with me.  If your hunting small ponds or areas with tall grass, it is a must.  My dog has an great nose and rarely looses a bird. 

[Mr56Jeep]

My favorite hunting buddy is my dog.  I wouldn't do it any other way.  Always ready to go.  Willing to stay as long as I want.  Doesn't talk back.  I make it out more often because I use it as an excuse to walk the dog.  I would probably sleep in more it it wasn'tfor the dog.  The conservation angle almost makes it irresponsible to not have a dog.  There have been several occasions he has come back with my bird and another that some other hunter crippled and was unable to retrieve.  Remember thought, big responsibility all year, not just during the season.   

[Special T]

There are ways to hunt w/0 a dog but they are a lot more work... would this be your first hunting dog? have you ever had a dog and trained it to sit stay fetch? Training a dog yourself is more fun than swimming after a duck in an inner tube.  I know because I've done it.. How much hunting in a year are you going to do? and where about?

[Dustin07]

even hunting the tides is nice. right now my waders may get me around where i need to go, but in 20 minutes the tide could make it too deep, dog only waters at that point.

This year was my first year in about a decade hunting without a dog as our old lab was finally retired. we just got a new lab though, a well trained 3 year old that we adopted, she's amazing and I cant wait to get her on the water this year! that should give you an idea. 

[WSU]

Having a dog makes it about a million times more fun.  Watching them work, watching the excitement they bring, and having your buddy with you makes bird hunting.  Not only that, but as stated above, they will find bird that you would surely lose, retreive birds you can't get to, and on and on.  Most importantly, dogs are awesome to have around, both hunting and at home. 

[huntinhick]

Alright,  so you all reenforced what I thought so I got myself on a list for boykin puppy.  thanks for the replys!

carl

[Mr56Jeep]

Alright,  so you all reenforced what I thought so I got myself on a list for boykin puppy.  thanks for the replys!

carl

Sorry, I thought we were talking about hunting dogs 

I kidding, they are great dogs in the house and less poo to clean up.   

[Dustin07]

first two pics that popped up on Google for "boykin"

[vandeman17]

Having a dog makes it about a million times more fun.  Watching them work, watching the excitement they bring, and having your buddy with you makes bird hunting.  Not only that, but as stated above, they will find bird that you would surely lose, retreive birds you can't get to, and on and on.  Most importantly, dogs are awesome to have around, both hunting and at home. 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[D-Rock425]

I'm going to be looking for a new lab pup next summer.  My chocolate lab Rocky will be 11 in August and I don't know how many years he has left but I know they Are limited.  I'm telling my wife the dog will be for the daughters 4th birthday.  Wouldn't hunt with out my dog.  I think the next one will be a female yellow lab.