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Last Night

I rarely hunt at night any more as mornings are cooler and I enjoy watching my dogs work a track. I also like the fact that most tracks are older and dogs have to learn to use their brains and nose.
I went to a 10,000 acre ranch that I have not hunted in several years that belongs to some close friends. Walking to the first tree right after dark, I walked upon a 4 1/2 foot long rattler and then tried to stone him before he could get under a bush. I think I hit him but not sure. The tree was hollow so I called the dogs off and headed back to the truck. Before I got back to the truck, the dogs winded and went to treeing on a second hollow tree. I called the dogs off that tree and made it to the truck where the dogs struck shortly thereafter and trailed to the third hollow tree. I was about to decide that I needed to load up and go back home, as I knew that the snakes were moving. I decided that it was too early to quit so I drove to the north side of the ranch where the terrain was a little more open and less "snakey". I treed three that I shot out and made it home without getting snake bit...I guess it was a good evening.
Adios,
Gary

Hunted the same 10,000 acre ranch yesterday morning. Turned the dogs loose about 6:15 AM and the temperature was 47 degrees with a little breeze out of the SE. Had a great 10 minute race when I just knew that my dogs were going to catch on the ground but the old coon beat them back to a huge hollow tree. I called them off and shortly after getting back to the truck, dogs struck an old tack and went to trailing. They trailed over a mile and piled up on the 8 ft. fence surrounding the ranch. Loaded the dogs and moved to another pasture where the dogs split and took two different coons. Jill, Jack and Luke went about 3/4 mile and put theirs in a brush pile but were able to pull it out and make the kill. Pearl, Flo and Yuma went over a mile with theirs and for some reason made a loose. (I think that I know why now). Put another coon in a brush pile but could not get him out. Called dogs off and went home.
When I got home, Yuma was acting sick as I had to pull her out of the box. I saw that her front leg was swollen but upon examination, decided it was from one of the fences that she crossed. I checked her this morning and now have decided that it was a rattler that struck her in the front where the right front leg joins the chest. I would not believe it was a rattler until I found swelling in her lower chest. She should be fine in a few days as she has had the snake vaccine. I am sure this is why she is not swelling any worse.
Adios,
Gary

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Glad she is Ok. Sounds like you had some a good hunt.

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www.ConkeysOutdoors.com
"Boss Lights"

Gary

Man, you have to be tough to hunt where they are that many rattlesnakes! I know, its hunt there or not hunt at all right? Kinda like hunting in these mts either hunt there or stay home. Hope your dog gets better. Dave

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Dave Richards Treeing Walkers Reg American Saddlebred and Registered Rocky Mt. Show Horses

Thanks Dave, she is getting much better. The vaccine does greatly help reduce the swelling which reduces the amount of decay around the bite area.
You are right, as you simply have to keep hunting so that your dogs are in condition to hunt when the hunting gets good. Lion season is open in the Navajo and I want my dogs to be in decent shape when I go up there as I generally hunt at least four days in a row.
Adios,
Gary

Glad she's getting better.

Glad your hound is getting better you guys must be a tough crew and you are a blessed man to be able to hunt multiple game with them some day I hope to watch and hear a good lion race the thought has always fired me up

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Keenan Cole

It is a good thing that I didn't get into lion hunting at an early age as "I would have lost the farm" as the saying goes. In my opinion, the lion is the alpha predator in the country and you generally find him in some of the most beautiful, rugged and vast country.
While a hunter can get lucky from time to time to stubble across a fresh kill or a smoking hot track that is much the exception rather than the rule. You will need a different style of trailing dog than those that shine in the coon hunts. I much prefer to hunt dry ground which makes the trailing even more challenging.
Lion hunting will change your life.
Adios,
Gary

Gary

To quote a friend of mine-"all men die, few ever really live". You, my friend are one that really lives. I enjoy your posts very much, happy hunting my friend. Dave

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Dave Richards Treeing Walkers Reg American Saddlebred and Registered Rocky Mt. Show Horses

Thanks, Dave. I am very blessed to be in pretty good shape for 64 and can still go and do many of the things that will be difficult in ten years. I say this to tell you guys and gals that if there is something that you really want to do, then do it. God does not guarantee us another day or how long your health will be good. Let me also say, that your family should not suffer so that you can do what you want to do. The well being of your family should come first.
Adios,
Gary

Gary

Well said-we should enjoy our lives, but not at the expense of our families and loved ones. Dave

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Dave Richards Treeing Walkers Reg American Saddlebred and Registered Rocky Mt. Show Horses