EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

I know this subject gets covered on here pretty well but I figured I would throw it out there again in a poll instead of searching for an old topic on it.
Many friends of mine DO NOT hunt in this heat for a variety of reasons but mainly its due to the heats effect on the dogs, hogs, and them.
I am one that hunts all Summer so it has been a subject of debate for a long time with a few buddies of mine.

If you hunt through the Summer months then share what different measures, precautions, and tactics you use for this heat.

If not then let us know why if you don't mind.


Thanks.

We have always hunted in the summer. We only hunt in the morning until noon or early afternoon. Always make sure we are hunting a place where there is water (creeks, ponds etc) where the dogs can dip themselves in. This summer we havent hunted much because of my brothers working but last year was a different story.

We have never had a dog overheat on us ::knock on wood:: and making sure the dogs are in shape to hunt in this heat is important (not fat), also I dont think we will use vests on our bay dogs this summer because the heat is just crazy this year.

Main thing is hunting early where the sun is not hitting hard and on a property where we will run in to bodies of water throughout the hunt.

Whether you have a comment to share or not dont forget to vote! :D

Thanks.

oops  :D

We hunt during the summer.

The precautions that we take are just common sense stuff.  We TRY to catch the currs after every hog, to give them water and electrolytes, as well as take a break for a bit.  We try to hunt properties with water, be it a river, creek or pond.  We generally hunt at night or a couple of hours before sunrise.  The summer hunts generally tend to be much shorter than fall/winter hunts, this is for the dogs and us.  Two things that I never hit the woods without during the summer are lots of water and a lactated ringer, and I keep both in a pack that I wear the duration of the hunt.  We also rotate dogs a lot more often during the summer.

The heat is no joke.  It can be very dangerous for dog and hunter alike if you are not ready for it.

Heat Stroke is Bad Deal, Seen enough of em' lost to heat to know it is not the way I want to loose them. Now with that said several years ago, was on a hunt where two good dogs, one strike & catch wree lost to heat stroke on a very cool January day(below 60). Sometimes, somethings just happen, before anybody tells me about the odds being increased due to the temperatures, its okay I know and agree with you. not argueing, cause I look at this with open eyes as every time I turn my dogs loose they are at risk of something happening, and that being the very last time they ever hunt. This time of year, its heat, snakes, gators, ect. All those things can happen right in your own yard, kennel or chain (except the gators hopefully). I look at it like this, If I can deal with the heat, I going to hunt when the oppertunities are present, expect the worst, hope for the best, and be as prepared, and use as much common sense as possible.

Would changing the feed to a feed with less fat help them.  We always hunt after dark. 

If not then let us know why if you don't mind.

It's just to muggy here, If I could 100% control the dogs and recall them no matter what I might, but My fear is a bad running hog or a long fighting bay and I show up late to overheated and to far to the truck, you simply cannot get an atv in alot places here either to get help fast at all. Plus the places along the river where I hunt the weeds grow 10 to 12 feet high and so thick you cant see 5 inches in front of you, Snakes everywhere and it is real hard to breath in that stuff no wind ever and your dogs will flat melt down quick. Maybe if i hunted more open terrain I MIGHT chance it but I doubt it. For those who can consider your self lucky

Here is an easy homade electrolyte soulation for any one who doesn't already know how
2 parts table salt
2 parts Lite salt
1 part Dolomite (natural calcium/magnesium) Tums antacids are also used in place of the Dolomite for the calcium and protection of the stomach.

We hunt all summer. We do like has already been said, just common sense. Hunt at night or real early in the morning. Make sure the dogs have plenty of water and Know when to quit. Keep the dogs in shape and don't hunt them fat..This heat will kill a dog quick and you too if you aint careful..

yes but not as much or as hard. Typically from daybreak til 9ish. I try to keep plenty of electrolytes and fluids in the dogs. I do not vest the bulldog(s) til im ready to release.

Early  mornings and at night when it cools down.

Mostly at night and try to keep a really close eye on the dogs.

You know I do......night or mornings!

yea i do but with more restrictive measures. i tend to cut my dogs off (when i can) earlier, take ice water with a touch of gatorade mixed in and only hunt early morinin on places with alot of water...oh and i voted :)

we hunt all year round we have a 10,000 acre farm that we hunt with alot of canals all around it so we always have plenty of water for the dogs an we usually hunt at night so that kinda kills some of the heat. we try to watch our dogs an if we see that one is getting real hot we try to let them ride on the four wheeler for a little bit to rest a little. in all honesty we have had better luck last summer an what time we have had this hot weather this year than we did during the winter months.

YES, LOT OF PEOPLE THINK YOUR DOGS GOT STAY PUMPED UP LOOKING. THE TRUTH IS I, ONLY FEED EVERY OTHER DAY. I KEEP MY DOG NICE AND SLIM DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. PLENTY OF WATER AND FEED HIGH  IN PROTEIN. NIGHT HUNTS AND EARLY MORNING LIKE 4 TIL 9 AT THE LASTEST. KEEP PLENTY OF WATER ON THE TRUCK. IF ITS REALLY HOT  I BUY BAGS OF ICE. AND PUT IT ALL OVER THE TOP STORAGE BOX IT KEEP EM COOL. AND I NEVER FEED ON THE DAY OF THE HUNT. I HATE A FULL BELLY, SO IMAGE HOW THE DOGS FEEL RUN WITH IT. THATS WHY SO MANY DOGS HAVE STOKES WORKING TO HARD IN THE HEAT ON A FULL BELLY. DON'T BE TO TIRED TO FEED YOUR DOGS WHEN YOU GET HOME. I'VE  NEVER HAD A DOG STOKE OUT. NOW SNAKES AND GATORS I CAN'T CONTROL THAT.

No, i dont hunt in the heat of the summer but i do hunt around 2 am till daylight.

i hunt year round. but in the summer i hunt between 4 and 11 in the morning. I water my cut vest before i leave and i always make sure i have plenty of water and that there is water for my dogs.

We hunt all summer. Just at night, and keep water handy for the dogs at all times. I also buy a electrolyte supplement at the feed store that is like gaterade for animals. Which I give them as well.

We hunt year around !! The girlshunted in georgia the truck temp said 101 one day and 97 the next day caught some good hogs!! But I just try to keep the dogs hard !!  I never feed the night before a hunt in the heat!! Being the girls were going to hunt  in that hot weather I did not feed them for the 2 days but as soon as we were through I feed them!!I keep them on self feeders years around just pull them off before hunting had good luck with that!! The country makes alot of difference to of how much rain they have had!!

I do pretty much the same as everyone else has already posted.
The bottoms where we usually hunt are always alittle cooler and always has water pretty much any direction you go. I dont feed the dogs if i know im planning on making a hunt that evening or morning, and the hunts are usually alot shorter. and i always try to stop every so often to give the dogs a break and make sure they are getting in the water.

yes hunt early morn till about 10 and at nite. maybe if its a nasty cloudy day we might hunt all day keep plenty of fluids in them and make sure there is water around. we have rcd dogs we been leading them in keep from runnin them so hard.

I load the dogs up in the truck instead of keeping them on the ground all night.
Try and keep them away from water because there is a gator in every water hole.

    I hunt 4 to 7 days a week ,  year round .   summer early morning and at nite.   keep lots of water and fluids for the dogs
       Winter hunt harder

im not going to write a book but yes i do hunt and use all mid same methods as these guys do         be safe

I usually hunt year round.  During the summer months is South Fl we get rain bout everyday so the canals ditches and even the road is full of water for the dogs..never had any problems..now if its dry and hasnt rained in a few days i might skip it..

I hog hunt with dogs 24/7 =365  O0

Well folks, after 99 votes were locked in, it looks like the vast majority of us that voted (87%) keep right on hunting through the summer months with our dogs.
I big thanks for those of you that voted and shared information!

To summarize some of the measure you folks listed for hunting dogs through the summer I have listed them below:
•   Keep the dogs hard and lean
•   No feeding the night before a hunt
•   Water down dogs and vest before a hunt
•   Supplement with electrolytes
•   Keep plenty of water on hand while hunting
•   Hunt only places that hold plenty of water
•   Rotate dogs more often
•   Hunt at night and early mornings. When its coolest and no sun overhead.
•    Keep hunts short and sweet.
•   Lead RCD’s if you have them
•   Ice bag dog boxes for a cool place for the dogs (This works great)

Last but not least, and mentioned as much as water, “COMMON SENSE” .

Stay cool people. O0