We loaded up all the dogs late this afternoon and took them up the mountain for a run. Hubby had the gun and knife just in case we did actually run into a pig but we were really only trying to exercise the dogs. Hubby is having major back problems at the moment so that proper hunting is not possible.
We took the two pups, Bruiser and Jem, along with us. I'm not really a pig hunter by nature, my sympathy is with the pig, but I do love these early outings with pups. It's such a delight watching them tackle so many new experiences.
There are lots of things for them to learn but most of them are things that you can't really teach. All you can do is give the young dogs the opportunity to learn. Over time, they'll learn to back track so they never get lost, and how to cross streams and how to scent. And they'll learn what they're going up there to find. That's about the time I begin to leave hubby and the dogs to it.
But for now, they're just two young pups having fun.
Berry and Diesel cool themselves by flopping down in any shallow stream we come to but the pups haven't got the hang of that yet. They carefully jump over so as not to wet their feet!
And talking of feet - I'm a great believer that puppies grow into their feet and these two boys both have enormous feet. They're going to be big dogs for sure. Bruiser has thrown very much to Diesel's greyhound side and I think will be very fast. Jem's a one-pace "plodder" like his mum, Berry.
It was a lovely outing - no pigs about - just a grass covered track winding up the mountain through native bush, and hubby and I and the dogs. Well, hubby was driving the ute mostly but me and the dogs loved it! Pigeons flapped noisily overhead and we saw some Californian quail. We went a little far and Bruiser was very tired - he still isn't back to full strength.
Home again just as it was coming dark. Big dinners for the dogs and then into their beds. I'm sure they have wonderful dreams after these runs.
I love these early pigless pig hunts!
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8 comments:
Hey-- I gave you an award over at my blog.
-- P
The Bag Lady is not fond of hunting, either. These pigs you speak of - are they large and dangerous? Do you have predatory creatures to worry about meeting? (The Bag Lady's knowledge of New Zealand flora and fauna is obviously scant!)
Sounds like a terrific way to spend the day regardless.
My knowledge is on par with the Bag Lady's, but I agree the walk sounds like fun. I am glad to hear the dogs are getting their strength back.
A pigless pig hunt sounds like fun.
It sounds like you had a wonderful outing.
When you say pigs are we talking feral hogs, or big Russian boar, or smallish but fierce critters like what we call javelina?
Tell me more.
Hi Dawn,
I am not a hunter. I am a city girl through and through, but this souded like a wonderful jaunt.
Terrie
Penelope - An award, eh! I always enjoy a little fame and glory! I'll be right over.
Bag Lady - We're very fortunate in NZ to not have snakes or man-eating anythings wandering through our bush. The pigs in question can be large and dangerous - depends on how seriously you annoy them!
Reb - Pups are improving every day now.
Leah - Yep, that's how I like my hunting!
Travis - These are wild pigs. They can grow as big as 250lbs but most are smaller. They have tusks which can be a formidable weapon. Hubbie's main dog Diesel has probably had about three thousand dollars spent on him over they years from getting on the wrong side of those tusks. The pigs do occasionally kill dogs - which although I love our dogs - seems fair to me.
When you're fighting for your life you're allowed to be mean and nasty.
At one time, almost everyone had what they called "holders" but more and more hunters are preferring "bailers" simply because there are usually less vet bills. With a bailer, the dog is supposed to find the pig, not let it run away,and stand back and bark to alert you.
Most dogs alter their style according to the size of the pig. Our dogs are supposedly bailers but if the pig is small they hold.
I can see I'll have to do a post on this, Travis!
Terry - Lovely walk in the bush - if you forget what you're there for. The pups make so much commotion that any self-respecting pig has gone long before we get there!
I look forward to it and would love to see some pics. I know they might make some of your readers squeamish but I am a hunter and would love to check out a bit of New Zealand game so if you ever have any pics feel free to email them to me.
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