Some nice looking hounds. I used to own a beagle but only ran him on snowshoes & cottontails. Question for you hounds men: what is better on deer, a smaller slower moving beagle or a bigger faster hound?
I’m suspicious of people who don't like dogs, but I trust a dog who doesn't like a person.
ninepointer, a mixed bag of some fine looking animals... Nice to see that you are still active ... Terrym, I'd say it's up to the individual. I've run both and found that a young 13" beagle will keep up with the bigger hounds... But generally I would say it would be based on the size property you've got to hunt and your neighbors cause no matter how big or small your property is eventually your dogs will cross the line. We're fortunate we have 7000 acres and everyone around us is old school and the majority of them run hounds... I've picked up dogs that were 15 miles away in a short period of time and on one occasion I got a call that one of my dogs was in Bancroft and by the time I got there the dog had slipped the chain and was back to the camp before I was... Over 15 miles away...
Some nice looking hounds. I used to own a beagle but only ran him on snowshoes & cottontails. Question for you hounds men: what is better on deer, a smaller slower moving beagle or a bigger faster hound?
I’m slightly biased toward beagles on deer because that’s what I own. Here are my observations:
Beagle Pros: Ground scenting dog, meaning often slower moving deer, deer may stop and look back. Seems less time spent retrieving dogs.
Beagle cons: Often shorter chases, especially in country with lots of water. Most beagles do not like to cross water; its like lava to them. Quieter voice sometimes harder to hear on windy days; less forewarning for the hunter. Less endurance than a big hound, can't run a beagle as often.
Big hound pros: Potentially longer chases, with multiple circles. Deep loud voice really stirs the excitement in the hunter and gives the hunter an early heads-up. Can be run often; more endurance.
Bog hound cons: Air scenting, fast moving dog equals fast moving deer. More time spent retrieving dogs when the chase goes out of the country.
"What calm deer hunter's heart has not skipped a beat when the stillness of a cold November morning is broken by the echoes of hounds tonguing yonder?" -Anonymous-
I agree with nine pointer. Small beagles are best for deer hunting. They get deer moving, but dont run them too hard. I've shot a few deer they would run 50 yards, Stop and look back for a minute until they hear the hound get closer then take off again.
I hunted with a gang near Magnetawan river with 3 lakes surrounding us. They use Walkers, B&T and blue ticks and the deer always ran towards the water. We figure this is what they do when wolves are after them so most stands are on beaver damns, ridges before the water trying to get a shot before they hit the water. Well 4 deer went past me full bore, jumped the river and gone. I didnt even get the gun up.
I think I would opt for a beagle. Might have a better chance of not pushing them out of the township......
Unfortunately I have a young English Setter that moves like the wind and thinks it’s fun to follow deer. Don’t ask why I know this but let’s just say Garmin is my friend.
I’m suspicious of people who don't like dogs, but I trust a dog who doesn't like a person.
I just downloaded a couple of photos from this years deer hunt. Here's a couple of different colored dogs but still related to the bluetick foundation of hounds.
These two are littermates, 3 year olds, both male Redticks.
The dog on the left is Toby. Weighs 82 lbs and is a real cold nosed dog, and will start a 24 hr track off of a bait pile. He's not a rig dog but is independent when free cast. He will however hark into another dog that may have started one before him and honor that dog.
The dog on the right is Jake. He weighs just shy of a 100 lbs. This dog would rather hunt than eat. He has become my lead dog and will rig off of the truck or rig platform on my quad. He hasn't as cold a nose as Toby but more than makes up for it. Both dogs when treed will be off of the tree about 10 to 15 ft looking up. I much prefer that in a dog than one that is up against the tree.
The other photo is none other than you guessed it after a deer that was shot and being gutted... Was a great hunt and reminded me of years gone by when what you see on the ground was the norm...
Last edited by Bo D; March 22nd, 2020 at 04:07 PM.
"What calm deer hunter's heart has not skipped a beat when the stillness of a cold November morning is broken by the echoes of hounds tonguing yonder?" -Anonymous-
We"re between Coe Hill and Bancroft off of the Lower Faraday Rd... We have a solid population of deer, bear and moose on our property, as well as some great fishing, and duck hunting..
We"re between Coe Hill and Bancroft off of the Lower Faraday Rd... We have a solid population of deer, bear and moose on our property, as well as some great fishing, and duck hunting..
Enjoy it! We're near Restoule (WMU 47) and the deer population has been at rock-bottom for 5 years now. You know the deer just aren't there when even the dogs can't find them
"What calm deer hunter's heart has not skipped a beat when the stillness of a cold November morning is broken by the echoes of hounds tonguing yonder?" -Anonymous-
Originally Posted by terrym
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