I got a two fold answer to this....
1)I will say I'm in it for the dogs more than the pork. Since I am a rookie, I'm thinkin to get started is a big dollar sign. Just for me to get set up as a beginner is lookin like a couple grand EASY, (in the first year). Thats a lot of groceries. I repeat-A LOT OF GROCERIES! I would be lying if I said I was doing it for meat. I might figure out how to make it pay for itself in a few years
2)I am getting a couple good pups turned on (luvin every bit of it) and learning from hunting buddies/this forum VERY valuable info...I definetly am gettin hooked on it for the love of workin dogs that WANT to hunt. I enjoy watchin them do what they are bred for. PLUS-IMO,huntin in this type of way puts the test to true friends, character, patience, and trust- in many ways!(which is what mainly counts!)
The reward of this sport comes in many shapes and sizes. My 2 cents
God almighty it isn't cheap, and I honestly don't know where I've gotten the money to get to where I'm at... and I've only been at it about 3 years. I luckly found the right people to talk to, had a "brother" to me show me the ropes and guide me through the tough parts, and learned some very hard lessons about peoples' character along the way. The cost doesn't go away, and the "want to" keeps getting stronger. Good luck on making it pay for itself becacuse as they say, you have to pay to play. It's tough work to be able to take enough out alive and sell to even cut even or for that matter come out ahead. I personally am not there yet. What we worked hard on and still are is the pieces of land we can hunt on. Once you have some good spots and understanding landowners, then you can start to try and make some money off live hogs or guided hunts. Like I said though, it's tough work. Good luck to you because I know what is ahead. LOL!
And guys and gals, it's good to see I'm not the only one that is in it for the dogs... the hogs are a plus, a big plus, but still non-the-less a plus.
Without the dogs it would be a useless as far as am concerened. I myself am all about the dogs . Anybody can shoot a wild hog but how many can really get the most out of a dog ?
and Jimmy, you hit the nail on the head! If it weren't for them we would just be like the rest and trap and shoot... and what fun is that??? LOL!
And Monty, you're right as rain as well. Not only do the pups learn from you, but you from them. They also learn from the big dogs, and like wise for ourselves from them. It's all a big circle IMO... everyone has something to bring to the table.
I'm glad that people started chiming in on this cause I was begining to think that there is just a bunch of blood thirsty crazies out there! LMAO!
