6mm06
Well-known member
When I was growing up at home, squirrel hunting back here in the mountains of Southwest Virginia was big sport. We didn't have any deer or turkey back then, and small game was all we had to hunt. Opening day of squirrel season was a cherished time, and sometimes it was difficult to get to a favorite hunting place without someone beating you to it.
Seems that everyone had squirrel dogs back then, and later in the season when the leaves were gone was a great time to hunt with a dog. Dad had a little Fiest named Penny that was the best dog I ever saw. I grew up with that dog and learned about the joys of squirrel hunting.
Finding a good squirrel dog nowadays seems to be a difficult matter, and if you do find one, you better have a pocket full of money if indeed it's for sale. It's not uncommon for dogs to go for over $1,000.
I have been searching for a squirrel dog for years, to no avail, or at least one I could afford. I tried to buy two different ones before in the $400 range, but they were sold before I had a change to even get to see them. A phone conversation was as close as I got to either of them.
Then, about two years ago, I was visiting my local Wal-Mart, when a group of animals lovers, PAWS I think it was, had some dogs and cats to find homes for. They were set up at the far end of the parking lot. I stopped in out of curiosity mainly, and immediately saw a black dog trying his best to get to one of the cats, and barking every breath. A bell went off in my head that "maybe this will make a good squirrel dog." So, for the price of a rabies shot, I loaded him up and took him home.
Although he is still young and inexperienced, he is already showing great signs of being a good squirrel dog. I have shot two squirrels out of Oaks in my back yard, just for the sake of the dog. He treed both and was really excited by them, and needed some encouragement and reward. I gave it to him.
Again this evening, he barked and followed a squirrel as it jumped from tree to tree. In a short time he has learned that squirrels belong in trees and they move from one tree to another. That's a good sign in a dog, since some will bark treed while the squirrel moves on. A dog that watches and follows a squirrel, while barking is worth owning.
My son, Tanner, also got in on the action and he and the dog are learning together.
Sorry for rambling on so, but any of you guys who have hunted squirrels with a dog, know the feeling of just how grand that is. There's just nothing like it. I've hunted Africa and Alaska, but I don't think that any of those hunts can compare with the excitement I get from hunting squirrels with a dog. Maybe it's just my boyhood memories coming back.
Here are some recent photos, two were taken from video files.
This dog loves squirrel hunting.
Looking up the tree for another squirrel
I can't wait until fall / winter to hunt with him
Seems that everyone had squirrel dogs back then, and later in the season when the leaves were gone was a great time to hunt with a dog. Dad had a little Fiest named Penny that was the best dog I ever saw. I grew up with that dog and learned about the joys of squirrel hunting.
Finding a good squirrel dog nowadays seems to be a difficult matter, and if you do find one, you better have a pocket full of money if indeed it's for sale. It's not uncommon for dogs to go for over $1,000.
I have been searching for a squirrel dog for years, to no avail, or at least one I could afford. I tried to buy two different ones before in the $400 range, but they were sold before I had a change to even get to see them. A phone conversation was as close as I got to either of them.
Then, about two years ago, I was visiting my local Wal-Mart, when a group of animals lovers, PAWS I think it was, had some dogs and cats to find homes for. They were set up at the far end of the parking lot. I stopped in out of curiosity mainly, and immediately saw a black dog trying his best to get to one of the cats, and barking every breath. A bell went off in my head that "maybe this will make a good squirrel dog." So, for the price of a rabies shot, I loaded him up and took him home.
Although he is still young and inexperienced, he is already showing great signs of being a good squirrel dog. I have shot two squirrels out of Oaks in my back yard, just for the sake of the dog. He treed both and was really excited by them, and needed some encouragement and reward. I gave it to him.
Again this evening, he barked and followed a squirrel as it jumped from tree to tree. In a short time he has learned that squirrels belong in trees and they move from one tree to another. That's a good sign in a dog, since some will bark treed while the squirrel moves on. A dog that watches and follows a squirrel, while barking is worth owning.
My son, Tanner, also got in on the action and he and the dog are learning together.
Sorry for rambling on so, but any of you guys who have hunted squirrels with a dog, know the feeling of just how grand that is. There's just nothing like it. I've hunted Africa and Alaska, but I don't think that any of those hunts can compare with the excitement I get from hunting squirrels with a dog. Maybe it's just my boyhood memories coming back.
Here are some recent photos, two were taken from video files.
This dog loves squirrel hunting.
Looking up the tree for another squirrel
I can't wait until fall / winter to hunt with him