Went across the road again to take advantage of some unusual cool weather last week. One morning it was 62 degrees and the dogs were feisty so off we went. I took five of my six hunting dogs, Cisco the one left behind is still too young at six months. One of my biggest reasons for this hunt was to test Josette, my 1yr. old Argentine Dogo. This was her fourth trip in the woods and I was hoping for some improvement from her first hunt. On that hunt she was definitely skittish, looking like she was afraid a tree might fall on her. She did seem more relaxed this time and even smiled at me on occasion. I am hoping she might replace Blanca, my catch dog I tragically lost last year on a hunt. Big, big shoes to fill.

As we entered the woods the four bay dogs ran ahead doing their thing, while Josette followed closely behind me. Heck we hadn't gotten fully adjusted to the low light conditions in the woods, when Babette (female catahoula bay dog) struck. The rest of the bay dogs joined in the bay in a blink of an eye, and to my delight Josette was in pursuit as well. The dogs got the hog stopped in about 150 yds. I shuffled in there in what seemed like an eternity. First thing I saw was piglets running about which I ignored, the next thing I saw was Spy ( male, brand unknown) Blanche (female, brand unknown), on the Little sow, with Josette trying to figure out what to do. She tried to get a hold of the hogs flank and then tried to get a hold of the hogs back leg, none of which is good. I then reached for my bowie knife and it was not there, I had left it behind in my haste. So I reached for my pocket knife in my pants pocket, happy that it was a little sow and not a large boar. I dispatched the Little sow with out incident. Ivorie (female, catahoula) was standing over a dead piglet, I was amazed that such a small female could produce a litter of piglets. Her teats told me the piglets were indeed hers.

I looked around for Babette and she was no where around. I consulted with my tracking device which put her about 600 yds. away and her movements suggesting she had Bayed another hog. The rest of the bay dogs agreed and vacated the area in a flash. Josette also went with them. By the time I got there, it did take an eternity, Blanche and Ivoire were on the hog and the rest of the dogs were running down piglets. Suddenly and totally unexpectedly Blanche and Ivoire simply released the Little sow and joined the chase after piglets. The sow just stood there, I guess exhausted. I quickly brought up my Marlin Guide Gun and shoved the sow into the next life with a 300 grn. .458 cal. slug to the head. Again I was amazed that such a small hog could produce a litter of pigs.

It was not the packs finest hour by no means, and the jury is still definitely out on Josette as a catch dog. But still two hogs down is a good thing and any number of pigs to go with them is a small accomplishment. Hoping we will all do better next time out.

Sorry for the low quality photo, but it wasn't my finest hour either.

Good story. What is the cause of that wound?

I have seen some sows that would be pushing it to go 60 pounds with a litter of 8 piglets.

The piglets were small did not look much bigger than guinea pigs.

Steve the wound was made by my pocket knife. I took the picture on my way out the woods and the dogs did some chewing on the knife wound enlarging it. Thanks for your positive comments.


CHC, I don't think these sows were 50 lbs. Perhaps these were just genetically small animals, but I hadn't seen this before. No doubt sows become sexually mature early in their life spans, but this appeared extreme to me.

Perhaps the dogs would have been more professional if there were less piglets running around underfoot.

When I stated 60, I was being generous I think. I am not sure that the two together would have broke the 100 pound mark.

Obviously, they are PIGMYS.
Get it?

Here. too, I've seen some small sows with piglets, especially when range conditions have been tough for a long while.

Ole Miss Guy, unfortunately a slew of hogs often confuses the dogs and a poor showing is the result. These events do often present shooting opportunities, which are a kick in the butt.

Tommy I hadn't considered range conditions as a factor in their size. They may be eating themselves out of groceries.

quote:

Went across the road again to take advantage of some unusual cool weather last week. One morning it was 62 degrees and the dogs were feisty so off we went. I took five of my six hunting dogs, Cisco the one left behind is still too young at six months. One of my biggest reasons for this hunt was to test Josette, my 1yr. old Argentine Dogo. This was her fourth trip in the woods and I was hoping for some improvement from her first hunt. On that hunt she was definitely skittish, looking like she was afraid a tree might fall on her. She did seem more relaxed this time and even smiled at me on occasion. I am hoping she might replace Blanca, my catch dog I tragically lost last year on a hunt. Big, big shoes to fill.

Just like with bear hounds one can go through a lot of dogs until a good one comes along.

Blood lines can help but it is not always the key. I have seen some good mutts and some awful pure breeds.

A hound hunting friend of mine who is a great hounds man told me never spend more money on a dog then you can afford to shoot.

Then don't get attached to them until they have proven themselves.

A lot of hounds that haven't proven themselves have never came back from a hunt.

Yes you are correct about blood lines and breeds, they offer an indication of what a dog is capable of, but the proof is in the pudding. Everything you said about what makes a good hound man is true. You should be able to cull the dogs that don't work out, this I can't do. They immediately become a part of the family, my wife adopts them as well. That said I've been fortunate with my puppy selection, all have been useful to varying degrees except the aforementioned Josette. I still have hopes for her but if it turns out she is nothing more than a 100 lbs. handlicker, so be it. She did make some effort to catch last time. I was told when I got into hog hunting not to get too attached to the dogs, and have failed miserably in doing so. I have suffered greatly because of this. My dogs had been injured but I had not lost any in 12 yrs. of hunting until last year when I lost two of my best. I do run them with the best protective gear I can find.

Anyhow thanks for responding to my post.