YoteU4ic
New member
Greetings All:
This being my first post, thought I’d tell you all a little about myself, and ask your opinions about working with a dog in deep snow (at altitude). This could be a different take on using dogs to hunt predators (specifically coyotes), so I won’t be surprised if you think it a bit strange. Here goes; kindly bear the length of this post while I explain myself, just a bit...
I’ve been training and handling working dogs as an avocation for over 25 years; am a former wilderness search dog handler; developed the only (known) canine wilderness handling protocols, in cooperation with the US Forest Service; backpack (in summer), snowshoe, skijor, and sled using dogs (in winter); but, am freshly new to coyote hunting. On the other hand scent dynamics, canid behavior, and wilderness survival methods are comfortable topics for me.
At present I primarily handle a 91 lbs Alaskan Malamute (Merit, pictured below) that packs his own goods in summer and tows a pulk carrying 100 to 150 lbs of (snow) gear, when trekking in the California Sierras during winter (where I live, near Yosemite National Park). Consequently our primary yote hunting areas will be the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne Wilderness areas within the Stanislaus National Forest. During winter nights temperatures can sometimes approach zero in these places (with wind-chill), yet average winter temps usually run from 10 to 32 degrees above (Fahrenheit) -- depending on time of day.
While I acknowledge that Mountain Curs, Catahoullas, Bealges and various Coon Dog breeds are the preferred choice among most coyote hunters (with good reason). The lighter composition, lack of a thick undercoat, and inability to pull substantial weight for distances of those fine breeds make them unsuitable for my winter purposes.
Now while Malamutes are not widely known for their hunting abilities, they can (as most dogs) be taught to track for scent-specific triggers (territorial urinations, scat, undercoat droppings, etc.) humans cannot readily detect at distance. Moreover there is approx. 120,000 square miles of wilderness in my local forest, and with snow inhibiting travel..? It would help greatly to only focus on areas where coyotes are KNOWN to frequent. In short, as you may gather, maintaining traditional yote hunting breeds in harsher environments is too problematic for my purposes.
So here’s my plan, submitted for comments:
1) I intend to train the Malamute for scent-specific triggers on yotes, with a silent alert (probably laying down or sitting). The aim here will not be to pinpoint the location of a coyote, but locate general territorial boundaries and site visitations. From a canid behavioral standpoint, I don’t want my dog interacting directly with the yote(s) -- only its environment. Therefore, because my dog is trained to urinate on command (true deal, he really does, I can explain why later) I’d encourage him to liberally scent-mark WITHIN the coyotes (visitation/territory) perimeter.
2) Once the general territory of a yote(s) is located, my hunting partner and I would set-up a stand with the Malamute BEHIND us in front of a widely visible area (kill-zone) secured by a tree tether. The tether is pulled very taut between two trees and allows the dog lateral movement within a 50 to 75 foot span, and one to three feet of backward & forward movement. Within these limits the Malamute can move about, lie down, drink water, etc. but he cannot move from the oblong confines imposed by the tether. We have very effective snow camo for both ourselves and weapons, and given limits of the canine eye and probable focus upon the Malamute; we don’t anticipate quick detection.
3) We’d start calling using challenge, announcement, distress, and coyote localization calls. Merit (the Malamute) can also bark loudly upon command so we’d encourage this following calls (especially coyote challenge & critter distress), to vocally make his presents known.
Methodology Behind The Plan
Coyotes (being predaceous canids) are consistently territorial. Even in the off-breeding winter months we feel they could be enticed to investigate an intruder, because THAT’S what is consistently in their nature to do. Our aim is to have the yotes investigate the domestic dog’s intrusion, just within rifle range and no closer. I will not allow the physical engagement or chase of a coyote by any of my dogs, for a number of reasons.
In part, because of the Malamutes actual and perceptible size (they can “look” larger and heavier than they really are, due to a full and fluffy winter coat). I don’t want the Mal getting too close to the yotes, to lessen any intimidation factor. From 75 yards or more the Malamute’s size won’t be easily discernable by the yotes, and within that scope (literally) they’ll be toast.
Additionally, I theorize that because the Malamute resembles a wolf (the coyotes natural rival) more yotes might be called in as reinforcements, as is common coyote behavior in Alaska. Granted there are no wolf populations in California (yet), but I’m banking on instinctive rivalry to kick in if this theory plays out accurate.
Through this plan of action I aim to make the domestic dog’s presence very pronounced, in conflict with coyote predaceous feeding and territorial behaviors; which are heightened during winter months when food in the wild is scarcer. This seems like the best use of a harsh environment dog bred to fulfill multi-functions; pulling, tracking, and predator decoy.
In any event, what say you PM dog folk?
I’m hoping for your opinions as to how this plan might play out, points of correction you see, and any areas where it might be improved upon. And while using dogs for coyote hunting is not a breed-specific thing, I hope that I’ve successfully conveyed tactical modifications to suit my Malamute.
I look forward to all constructive input.
This being my first post, thought I’d tell you all a little about myself, and ask your opinions about working with a dog in deep snow (at altitude). This could be a different take on using dogs to hunt predators (specifically coyotes), so I won’t be surprised if you think it a bit strange. Here goes; kindly bear the length of this post while I explain myself, just a bit...
I’ve been training and handling working dogs as an avocation for over 25 years; am a former wilderness search dog handler; developed the only (known) canine wilderness handling protocols, in cooperation with the US Forest Service; backpack (in summer), snowshoe, skijor, and sled using dogs (in winter); but, am freshly new to coyote hunting. On the other hand scent dynamics, canid behavior, and wilderness survival methods are comfortable topics for me.
At present I primarily handle a 91 lbs Alaskan Malamute (Merit, pictured below) that packs his own goods in summer and tows a pulk carrying 100 to 150 lbs of (snow) gear, when trekking in the California Sierras during winter (where I live, near Yosemite National Park). Consequently our primary yote hunting areas will be the Emigrant, Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne Wilderness areas within the Stanislaus National Forest. During winter nights temperatures can sometimes approach zero in these places (with wind-chill), yet average winter temps usually run from 10 to 32 degrees above (Fahrenheit) -- depending on time of day.
While I acknowledge that Mountain Curs, Catahoullas, Bealges and various Coon Dog breeds are the preferred choice among most coyote hunters (with good reason). The lighter composition, lack of a thick undercoat, and inability to pull substantial weight for distances of those fine breeds make them unsuitable for my winter purposes.
Now while Malamutes are not widely known for their hunting abilities, they can (as most dogs) be taught to track for scent-specific triggers (territorial urinations, scat, undercoat droppings, etc.) humans cannot readily detect at distance. Moreover there is approx. 120,000 square miles of wilderness in my local forest, and with snow inhibiting travel..? It would help greatly to only focus on areas where coyotes are KNOWN to frequent. In short, as you may gather, maintaining traditional yote hunting breeds in harsher environments is too problematic for my purposes.
So here’s my plan, submitted for comments:
1) I intend to train the Malamute for scent-specific triggers on yotes, with a silent alert (probably laying down or sitting). The aim here will not be to pinpoint the location of a coyote, but locate general territorial boundaries and site visitations. From a canid behavioral standpoint, I don’t want my dog interacting directly with the yote(s) -- only its environment. Therefore, because my dog is trained to urinate on command (true deal, he really does, I can explain why later) I’d encourage him to liberally scent-mark WITHIN the coyotes (visitation/territory) perimeter.
2) Once the general territory of a yote(s) is located, my hunting partner and I would set-up a stand with the Malamute BEHIND us in front of a widely visible area (kill-zone) secured by a tree tether. The tether is pulled very taut between two trees and allows the dog lateral movement within a 50 to 75 foot span, and one to three feet of backward & forward movement. Within these limits the Malamute can move about, lie down, drink water, etc. but he cannot move from the oblong confines imposed by the tether. We have very effective snow camo for both ourselves and weapons, and given limits of the canine eye and probable focus upon the Malamute; we don’t anticipate quick detection.
3) We’d start calling using challenge, announcement, distress, and coyote localization calls. Merit (the Malamute) can also bark loudly upon command so we’d encourage this following calls (especially coyote challenge & critter distress), to vocally make his presents known.
Methodology Behind The Plan
Coyotes (being predaceous canids) are consistently territorial. Even in the off-breeding winter months we feel they could be enticed to investigate an intruder, because THAT’S what is consistently in their nature to do. Our aim is to have the yotes investigate the domestic dog’s intrusion, just within rifle range and no closer. I will not allow the physical engagement or chase of a coyote by any of my dogs, for a number of reasons.
In part, because of the Malamutes actual and perceptible size (they can “look” larger and heavier than they really are, due to a full and fluffy winter coat). I don’t want the Mal getting too close to the yotes, to lessen any intimidation factor. From 75 yards or more the Malamute’s size won’t be easily discernable by the yotes, and within that scope (literally) they’ll be toast.
Additionally, I theorize that because the Malamute resembles a wolf (the coyotes natural rival) more yotes might be called in as reinforcements, as is common coyote behavior in Alaska. Granted there are no wolf populations in California (yet), but I’m banking on instinctive rivalry to kick in if this theory plays out accurate.
Through this plan of action I aim to make the domestic dog’s presence very pronounced, in conflict with coyote predaceous feeding and territorial behaviors; which are heightened during winter months when food in the wild is scarcer. This seems like the best use of a harsh environment dog bred to fulfill multi-functions; pulling, tracking, and predator decoy.
In any event, what say you PM dog folk?
I’m hoping for your opinions as to how this plan might play out, points of correction you see, and any areas where it might be improved upon. And while using dogs for coyote hunting is not a breed-specific thing, I hope that I’ve successfully conveyed tactical modifications to suit my Malamute.
I look forward to all constructive input.