how many of you guys hunt without dogs. I do -I just dont own a hunting dog. Just dont have the time to take care of a good dog. I dont want to leave a dog in a dog in a box and kennel for 14 hrs a day then come home and look at him out the window at night. what do you guys do without a hunting dog.
no dog
- Thread starter daryl1801
- Start date
macstevej
New member
I have been hunting without a dog in the past, but I will be getting my first gun dog in about eight weeks. Everyone enjoys hunting in their own way, and there is no "right way".
I had always enjoyed kicking the brush for game birds and rabbits. Over the years, here in PA, the numbers of birds have dropped and it just hasn't been as fun for me. The Game Commission of late has only stocked pheasant on State game Lands so that hunting has been limited.
I have a new son-in-law that likes to hunt so I have a fresh desire to get back out. I think just working with a dog and watching him point and retrieve will be just as fun as the actual bagging of game. I went to watch a "natural abilities" test and was hooked.
I don't think anyone would enjoy a gun dog if it spent all but a handful of hunting hours in a kennel. If someone just want a dog as an end to a means they will be missing out on a fascinating hobby.
There are a lot of people that hunt small game without a dog and are perfectly happy, to each his own
I had always enjoyed kicking the brush for game birds and rabbits. Over the years, here in PA, the numbers of birds have dropped and it just hasn't been as fun for me. The Game Commission of late has only stocked pheasant on State game Lands so that hunting has been limited.
I have a new son-in-law that likes to hunt so I have a fresh desire to get back out. I think just working with a dog and watching him point and retrieve will be just as fun as the actual bagging of game. I went to watch a "natural abilities" test and was hooked.
I don't think anyone would enjoy a gun dog if it spent all but a handful of hunting hours in a kennel. If someone just want a dog as an end to a means they will be missing out on a fascinating hobby.
There are a lot of people that hunt small game without a dog and are perfectly happy, to each his own
I hunt upland for the dog work just as much as I do for the game. I honestly doubt I'd do much upland hunting without dogs. I have a German Shorthair, and hunt with mostly pointing breeds. Just being out there watching the dogs work is just as exhilarating as the shot to me. But as macstevej said, to each his/her own.
My Dog doesn't stay in a kennel. She has two beds, two couches, and my bed to choose from when she sleeps. She gets ran twice a day. I just fed her a sausage biscuit. I know, I know, she's spoiled, but she's been a good dog over the years, and deserves it. :thumbsup:
My Dog doesn't stay in a kennel. She has two beds, two couches, and my bed to choose from when she sleeps. She gets ran twice a day. I just fed her a sausage biscuit.
I know, I know, she's spoiled, but she's been a good dog over the years, and deserves it. :thumbsup:
mnmthunting
Banned
Daryl your doing the right thing. Until people have the time and environment for a hunting dog shouldn't be tempted to get one.
As for me, my bird hunting is with dogs. I know of some that hunt birds without dogs and do alright.
Mine are house dogs with their own bed in our bedroom Nap on the couches or anywhere they like. Truck dogs, and ranch dogs daily.
As for me, my bird hunting is with dogs. I know of some that hunt birds without dogs and do alright.
Mine are house dogs with their own bed in our bedroom
Nap on the couches or anywhere they like. Truck dogs, and ranch dogs daily.x2
I hunted pheasants/grouse without a dog for years until I had time to properly care for one. I found success without using a dog by focusing on structure in fields. Hunting a huge expanse of CRP without a dog is very hard, but hitting the edges of all the potholes or finding defined rows of brush despite the expanse of the surrounding landscape is more manageable. One of my most memorable hunts is hunting with guys who had dogs, everyone splitting off on their own, and coming back to the truck with a limit while no one else got any.
That said, having a dog is fun too - I'd rather run my dog and not carry a gun, than hunt with a gun, but without my dog. For pheasants my flusher finds more birds than I could alone and I no longer have to run down the occasional cripple myself. For grouse it's 50/50 - I see more birds with a dog, but they are often further out than if I were flushing them myself. I blame my dog for making too much noise running through the woods and the fact that I hunt late season grouse - the ones wary enough to not get shot at the beginning of the season.
Daryl your doing the right thing. Until people have the time and environment for a hunting dog shouldn't be tempted to get one.
As for me, my bird hunting is with dogs. I know of some that hunt birds without dogs and do alright.
Mine are house dogs with their own bed in our bedroom
Couldn't agree more with every part of this!
esetter1
New member
Daryl-
Basically like the others are saying it sounds to me like you are making a wise choice not having a dog right now. There are plenty of guys out there that hunt without dogs. Sure you may not find as many birds as a dog but if you just enjoy being out there hunting then do what makes you happy.
Basically like the others are saying it sounds to me like you are making a wise choice not having a dog right now. There are plenty of guys out there that hunt without dogs. Sure you may not find as many birds as a dog but if you just enjoy being out there hunting then do what makes you happy.
I think hunting without a dog can make you a better hunter. You have to learn more about the birds and do more work for your birds. You also, hopefully, take better shots as you don't have a dog to chase down a runner. I grew up hunting without a bird dog. Dad said we weren't getting one and that's the way it was.
With all that said there is no equal to hunting with a good birddog. Notice I said good because I have seen alot of dogs that don't get worked enough and just ruin a hunt. If you don't have time to work your dog than don't get one. A worthless dog ruins a hunt as much as a good one makes it enjoyable. I think you are doing the right thing by not getting a dog.
With all that said there is no equal to hunting with a good birddog. Notice I said good because I have seen alot of dogs that don't get worked enough and just ruin a hunt. If you don't have time to work your dog than don't get one. A worthless dog ruins a hunt as much as a good one makes it enjoyable. I think you are doing the right thing by not getting a dog.
jeffstally
Member
I'll make you a deal....you take me to your sweet spots and I'll bring the dogs!!!
Ranger Rick
Member
To hunt, or not to hunt
That is the question. If I didn't have the ability to have a dog, I would hunt without one. But I've almost always had a dog and can't see being without one. I lost my last setter in June of last year to blastomycosis. It was very truamatic for me and my family, he only being 5.
In the fall I went grouse hunting only twice, with friends who have dogs and my south dakota trip, again with friends who have dogs. I was lost all fall without a dog.
The good news is my next pup was born April 8 and he'll be coming home on June 4. I can't wait to get back into working and training. He'll come to work with me every day. We get into the field morning and noon. And he's a house dog, so with the family for everything. The last one was my best fishing buddy, too. He was there with me all the time, never talked back or stole any of my beer.
One of my daughters will be graduating from UMN Twin Cities in a couple weeks and she would like to get a dog. I told her not to as she has no idea where she'll end up and that isn't ready to be able to care properly for a pet.
That is the question. If I didn't have the ability to have a dog, I would hunt without one. But I've almost always had a dog and can't see being without one. I lost my last setter in June of last year to blastomycosis. It was very truamatic for me and my family, he only being 5.
In the fall I went grouse hunting only twice, with friends who have dogs and my south dakota trip, again with friends who have dogs. I was lost all fall without a dog.
The good news is my next pup was born April 8 and he'll be coming home on June 4. I can't wait to get back into working and training. He'll come to work with me every day. We get into the field morning and noon. And he's a house dog, so with the family for everything. The last one was my best fishing buddy, too. He was there with me all the time, never talked back or stole any of my beer.
One of my daughters will be graduating from UMN Twin Cities in a couple weeks and she would like to get a dog. I told her not to as she has no idea where she'll end up and that isn't ready to be able to care properly for a pet.
RK Special K
New member
I started hunting ruffies at age 11 without a dog so if you work hard at something, you get comfortable with it. That goes for hunting WITH a dog as well so I can see both sides.
My basic checklist:
1. Gun
2. Ammo
3. Hunting attire and transport
4. A good place to hunt
Anything much beyond these is a pure nuisance and distraction to me. IMO, dogs impede and interfere more than they add to a hunt and are just another circus to manage both on and off the field. You have to really love'em to put up with'em. And I respect and appreciate those who do. There is nothing wrong with a mini-circus! I just prefer to not juggle those circus balls AND a shotgun at the same time.
I FIRMLY believe that 1 or 2 or 3 experienced guys w/o a dog can do VERY well on ANY upland bird.
BUT, as said above and by others, if you enjoy owning, caring for, and hunting with a dog, then that is the right answer for you.
My basic checklist:
1. Gun
2. Ammo
3. Hunting attire and transport
4. A good place to hunt
Anything much beyond these is a pure nuisance and distraction to me. IMO, dogs impede and interfere more than they add to a hunt and are just another circus to manage both on and off the field. You have to really love'em to put up with'em. And I respect and appreciate those who do. There is nothing wrong with a mini-circus! I just prefer to not juggle those circus balls AND a shotgun at the same time.
I FIRMLY believe that 1 or 2 or 3 experienced guys w/o a dog can do VERY well on ANY upland bird.
BUT, as said above and by others, if you enjoy owning, caring for, and hunting with a dog, then that is the right answer for you.
beaglebob1
New member
You just have not hunted with a well trained dog. Get with someone with a good dog and you may be surprised at how many more birds you will have seen and bagged. Well trained animal is not a problem to handle its a joy.
:cheers: