My little tracking pup grows up!

buckster · January 10, 2011, 07:06:00 PM

I have seen several of you post inquiries recently about which tracking dogs to pursue. I don't know anything about the others, but I will share this story of my smooth haired dacshund named Chowder. This is for those of you that may not have seen it on another thread my buddy "Friends call me Pac" posted earlier today... "Friends get together for a hunt".

"Even though none of us got to pull this string back, to me this was a very special and rewarding hunt. I am so glad that Pac and Caleb have already told our story. I am so proud of Chowder and the fine job he did on his first real track, but I didn't want to be doing all the bragging here!

Our deer was truly a "GIFT" and I don't know if we will ever know what really happened to her leg. But I know that we all felt greatful to be the recipients of the blessings and memories that she left has left behind with us!

The thrill and excitement was more than just an adrealine rush... it was almost surreal watching Chowder work the trail (which in retrospect he was already working well before Caleb and I discovered the small blood smears/drops) in the dry creek bed. Us watching the doe run flat-out on 3 legs, across the field and with Chowder in tow. Then watching her vanish and feel our hearts sink.

Then the next moment filled with more hope and excitment to see Chowder back-track the trail and then get back on it within just a few moments. With Chowder and the deer now long gone... we were left pondering, and asking each other what do we do now? Well, a few minutes later we hear Chowder barking loudly and we double-time it to him, as it is obvious music to our ears that his bark is emphatic and that he ain't just playing around.

As we get closer, we see that the teckle has bayed the doe in a deep creek bed and he is taking turns at it's good leg and throat, each time she tries to flee. 25 lbs. of a really pissed off, lean & men weenie dog is on that deer like white on rice. We run to the scene and I watch Caleb jump on the deer like he is going for the 8-count! (SMILE GOES HERE) My main concern was keeping Chowder away from Caleb's blade, as he is taking the business end to the deer's vitals and then eventually cutting the windpipe.

Of course, bringing an end of any of God's creatures is this fashion is never a pleasant experience. I would be remiss to say that we both were't both a bit sad to end her life this way. But we knew full well after accessing the situation and based on the condition of her leg, that we were doing the right thing.

The entire "deer wrestling" episode probably lasted about a minute. Otherwise, she would have suffered a terrible death to yotes by night fall, no doubt. I am so glad that I talked with one of our great TG'rs last year about getting myself a tracking dog, his name is Ryan Rathaar. He is such a fine person and Ryan's dog OSKAR is a super-tracker, with many successful tracks under his belt, and a cousin to my Chowder. Our breeder is Sian Kwa of N.C. and her dogs are just amazing and she is a really awesome breeder.

I apologize that these photos are a bit graphic, we should have cleaned up the deer a little more, but I hope everyone enjoys them anyway. My thanks again to my buddies Pac & Caleb!"

DUAL SUVIVOR... ARKANSAS STYLE

CHOWDER's FIRST DEER

CHOWDER POWER!

Finally, my boy just 13 months ago

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"Carpe Carp" ... Seize the fish.

jonsimoneau · January 10, 2011, 07:17:00 PM

Carefull bud! Tracking wounded deer with dogs can become more addictive than hunting!

rastaman · January 10, 2011, 07:20:00 PM

Nice looking hunting buddy you've got there!

lpcjon2 · January 10, 2011, 07:33:00 PM

Awesome job!

Dave Bowers · January 10, 2011, 08:01:00 PM

Nice

bendbig · January 10, 2011, 08:22:00 PM

Doesn't get much better than that.

straitera · January 10, 2011, 09:05:00 PM

Thanks for the story. Beautiful dog & deer.

Mike Vines · January 10, 2011, 09:23:00 PM

ti-guy · January 10, 2011, 09:40:00 PM

Nice dog,true that they grow fast!

Mike Theis · January 10, 2011, 09:49:00 PM

Little dogs get a lot of energy out of a little bit of food. Our smallest is also a little tiger! Nice job!

Mick · January 10, 2011, 11:34:00 PM

Great story! Thanks for taking the time to bring us along with you

fnshtr · January 11, 2011, 01:07:00 AM

Congrats to Chowder...

I wish it were legal here in WV.

Wayne

jesse cales · January 11, 2011, 06:58:00 AM

great job barry!

J. Oles · January 11, 2011, 11:16:00 AM

That's awesome!

joekeith · January 11, 2011, 11:39:00 AM

Covey · January 11, 2011, 12:16:00 PM

Very cool, it's hard not to get attached to'em! I got a little fox terrier and he's me and my son's squirrel huntin buddy. Jason

Danny J · January 11, 2011, 12:52:00 PM

Great post, thank you

buckster · January 12, 2011, 05:28:00 PM

Thanks everyone, it was defenitely a blast!

FerretWYO · January 12, 2011, 05:51:00 PM

You all are making me want a tracking Dog.

tippit · January 12, 2011, 06:26:00 PM

buckster, Chowder looks like a really great Doxie. Sure is fun ain't it

Wayne,
It's Not legal in Mass either...But it is legal to go for a walk in the woods with your dog on lead. Just so happens I go out at night with flash lights...can't take a bow anyway. I've even talked to the local DNR field guys and they agree I'm not doing anything wrong. Only problem is I can't do it if someone asks for help finding a deer unless it's a friend...Doc