After four years stalking with my GWP it had to hold its first poorly shot roe yesterday. It did this very naturally after locating it on some clearfell in the dark, grabbing it by the throat and shaking it. He’s encountered more roe today and remained steady - I was concerned that in yesterday’s ‘excitement’ this might now be affected. Is there anything else that I should be on the look out for?
Anything to watch out for after dog held first deer?
- Thread starter Auroch
- Start date
Ticks.
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
Double up on the steadiness training.
Coursing down and holding game is what dogs have evolved to do and they love it.
If you use your dog for birds, you may get them back in a less than pristine state from now on and I wouldn’t count on too many runners coming back alive.
Other than that, congratulations. Nice work.
Coursing down and holding game is what dogs have evolved to do and they love it.
If you use your dog for birds, you may get them back in a less than pristine state from now on and I wouldn’t count on too many runners coming back alive.
Other than that, congratulations. Nice work.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
I would be careful letting any deer dog run in onto live deer, especially those with antlers. Antlers are designed by nature to cause nasty stabbing type wounds which either kill or end up in large vet bills. Deer hooves and teeth can also cause lots of damage.
On the continent where tracking dogs are trained to bring wild boar at bay, they use semi domesticated boar in pens to spar with young dogs so that they learn how to bay but keeping out of range.
Handlers also use kevlar anti stab vests on the dogs.
My hound did slip her lead last year. A young Roe calf where I pulled a shot. It got up and ran as she approached it. I wasn’t paying attention thinking job was done and had let go of her tracking lead.
She ran it down and killed it. She has not been steady ever since.
On the continent where tracking dogs are trained to bring wild boar at bay, they use semi domesticated boar in pens to spar with young dogs so that they learn how to bay but keeping out of range.
Handlers also use kevlar anti stab vests on the dogs.
My hound did slip her lead last year. A young Roe calf where I pulled a shot. It got up and ran as she approached it. I wasn’t paying attention thinking job was done and had let go of her tracking lead.
She ran it down and killed it. She has not been steady ever since.
Thank you for the suggestions folks. Helpfully, a member pointed out that the legislation change in Scotland due to the Hunting with Dogs Act (2023) has considerable implications in the use of the dog while stalking - I was not as aware of the detail as I should’ve been and would certainly urge members who use their dog for locating shot deer in Scotland to familiarise themselves with it.
‘if an attempt to kill the wild mammal, as mentioned in paragraph (e), results in it being injured but not killed, reasonable steps are taken to kill it in a way (other than by using a dog) that causes it the minimum possible suffering.’
While we didn’t fall foul of it in this instance (dog called off and deer humanely dispatched as soon as I was in a position to safely do so), moving forward I’ve decided that if I’ve not seen the deer drop I’ll put the dog on a long line and spend more time looking for the shot site. In this way it can’t be argued that the dog isn’t controlled.
For the record, I think this legislation when applied to legal deer stalking will have the effect of prolonging suffering of an injured animal.
‘if an attempt to kill the wild mammal, as mentioned in paragraph (e), results in it being injured but not killed, reasonable steps are taken to kill it in a way (other than by using a dog) that causes it the minimum possible suffering.’
While we didn’t fall foul of it in this instance (dog called off and deer humanely dispatched as soon as I was in a position to safely do so), moving forward I’ve decided that if I’ve not seen the deer drop I’ll put the dog on a long line and spend more time looking for the shot site. In this way it can’t be argued that the dog isn’t controlled.
For the record, I think this legislation when applied to legal deer stalking will have the effect of prolonging suffering of an injured animal.
Hayduke
Well-Known Member
You got it, just like her boss in his day.The fourth horseman’s hound
Nice!
.
Well done that Dog! Its amazing what they pick-up on .
Primarily i only want the track side of things , messing with deer with one dog is a fair risk of serious injury with a bold dog
Thanks for all the replies and advice folks - dog seems to be his usual self based on the last couple of stalks. Got into 55m from this buck yesterday after the dog indicated he was just inside the edge of some replant. Dog could clearly see the buck and whimpered a wee bit more than usual as I was waiting for a shot, he stood up at the shot (frustrating but usual) but didn’t run in. Lung shot on an alert buck, so had a ~60m downhill dash through the trees and out of sight. Harness and line on. Good blood trail with a couple of turns which the dog followed easily. Buck dead when we found him. I’ll continue to be vigilant for any issues.
Nice easy one to start
yellow belly
Well-Known Member
Great to hear and a good looking dog too!
Hi all,
I'm currently working on a research project looking at tick distribution and the species they commonly affect, with a focus on public health and wildlife management in the Cumbria region.
As deer stalkers, you’re often the first to notice changes in tick activity and host species, so your insights would be hugely valuable. I’ve put together a short survey (only takes a few minutes), and I’d really appreciate it if you could take part:
Survey on Tick Populations
Feel free to share it with others in the stalking or countryside community—every bit of data helps build a clearer picture.
Thanks in advance!
I'm currently working on a research project looking at tick distribution and the species they commonly affect, with a focus on public health and wildlife management in the Cumbria region.
As deer stalkers, you’re often the first to notice changes in tick activity and host species, so your insights would be hugely valuable. I’ve put together a short survey (only takes a few minutes), and I’d really appreciate it if you could take part:
Survey on Tick Populations
Feel free to share it with others in the stalking or countryside community—every bit of data helps build a clearer picture.
Thanks in advance!
Similar threads
