Dogs in Camp Do’s and Dont’s

[whitespringer]

Ok guys,
we are heading into Grizz country (which seems to be everywhere in the province) for Moose this fall. We will have two dogs in camp. What are your do’s and dont’s with regards to dogs. How to keep them safe, and more importantly how to keep yourself safe.
Your comments please and thank you.

[CheesyLimper]

If they are wanderers, keep them leashed up, but I wouldn't leave them alone like that. Remember to keep their food away from camp. If you think other hunters are in the area, tie something bright to the dogs so that they are easy to identify to avoid an accident.
I take my dog a lot, but he's pretty good at sticking to my side. My old dog used to wander, so we put bear bells on him. At least then we knew what was coming through the bush.

[srupp]

Hmmm leave them both at home!..
consume your time and attention..if they do run into a grizz they will head right between your legs for protection...tge grizz wont git there.
Big chance they will get lost..in strange area.
Leave them at home, take em to the park when you get home.
Srupp

[BRvalley]

dogs are required to be leashed when hunting ungulates as per regs, but you'll find some grey area with that from CO to CO, I've asked a few directly....ie they've never heard of a fine issued for a dog off leash while sheep/goat hunting, even though that is technically a violation, lots of guys use dogs to help pack a few pounds...CO's don't want to see off leash dogs used to find or flush ungulates, or the potential that may have occurred, ie moose down and you have a dog and you have no leash with you

personally I like to use an extendable leash if I my grouse hunt suddenly turns into a moose hunt, easier to manage a long lead that way, but once the animal is down my dog is my security system and off leash if I am packing meat or returning to kill site, CO's have said they are ok with that

I personally would not leave my dog unattended in camp, too many distractions in the bush....high vis vest or at least hi vis collar

their food stays in the truck, which is usually where my food cooler is as well

I hunt solo most of the time, so I really enjoy having the dog along on some hunts

above all I would never go hunting with a dog with a recall problem or barking problem, asking for issues if you encounter bears or they spook game that way....I would only bring a well trained dog you have 100% control over, my dog has alerted me to a black bear stalking us while grouse hunting with only #7 shot on hand, i firmly believe my dog saved a bad situation that day...plus he can pack 25 lbs for me

[whitespringer]

Great feedback. We have a high viz harness and leash. The Dogs will not be hunting but locked in the camper, but may be a part of Moose retrieval. Bells on at that point sounds like a good idea to me.
And your point Steven is well taken. :-)

[Island Idiots]

Dont name your dog "Bear" and then call him. Trust me, the folks camped beside you get worked up.

[The Hermit]

Dont name your dog "Bear" and then call him. Trust me, the folks camped beside you get worked up.



Hahaha that made me LOL

[mpotzold]

In over 50 years of moose/deer hunting we never had a bear problem at camp even after hanging game for some time.
LT's(LOVER308 ) dog was with us on all of our hunts & did some barking at camp occasionally probably scaring the bear.

We always have a fairly large campfire. Some say that it deters bears others say it doesn't.
We are fairly loud when at camp.
More than 1 weapon is within easy reach -usually a defender & a 45/70. Also have a couple cans of bear spray to scare off a curious bear if needed. I even have a bear banger.

The time that we are extra careful is when field dressing the animal. One usually stands guard & is ready to shoot if necessary.

Last time we were north of Gang a hunting party from Quesnel, not that far away, had problems with bears every night even though they had 1 or 2 dogs. The dogs barking did not scare the bears. These were black bears but we have seen grizzly in the same area.
The lady hunter was an archery expert. She even killed a grizz with an arrow.

[whitespringer]

Dont name your dog "Bear" and then call him. Trust me, the folks camped beside you get worked up.

No there named Cuddles and Fluffy hahahaha

[Ron.C]

I'd rather be in the bush or in camp with my dog (s) than many people I know. I've enjoyed many hunts with my late dog Buckely. He was not a "hunter" but would heal beside me and was great company. Had him on deer, elk, black and Griz bear hunts from 10 day big camp hunts to a backpack griz hunt. I shot allot of game and enjoyed many campfires with him at my side.

I'm going to be bringing my new lab with me this weekend for a dayhunt for deer. She will be on a 6' lead , but I don't have any worry she will be an issue. She has already done a weekend with me backpacking looking for elk sheds, a week of big camp "glamping", shore and boat fishing and fun stalks on Island blacktail and elk. I hope to bring her next month on a week of deer hunting where her kennel will be beside a nice comfy wood stove in my wall tent. With luck, we can do some grouse hunting.

Rules for dogs in camp?

Don't let them run all over hells half acre. I'd be more worried about my dog checking out a porcupine then having a bear issue. Clean up after your dog. And don't leave its food in an area that can attract anything from mice to bears

- neither of mine would come if they were:
- yappy or barkers
- not controllable

- didn't travel well
- aggressive or unfriendly towards others
- out of shape

And if I am planning on travelling, camping, hunting with others, I discuss this. If the dog is going to be a problem then it either stays at home or I go alone "well, me and the dog"

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/4131.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ralph_tr.jpg


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/buckley.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Dog1.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/shd.jpg

[scoutlt1]

Good post Ron.C!

The "Ralph Lake Trailhead" pic is awesome.

Sounds like my late pooch was very similar to yours, and I agree with your "rules"...

[srupp]

Great photos Ron...
cheers
Steven

[whitespringer]

[QUOTE=Ron.C;2116201]I'd rather be in the bush or in camp with my dog (s) than many people I know. I've enjoyed many hunts with my late dog Buckely.

Rules for dogs in camp?

Don't let them run all over hells half acre. I'd be more worried about my dog checking out a porcupine

Your right. A dog never talks back, argues with you or makes a complete drunken fool of themselves.
Porcupines... that could ruin a trip real quick. Seen Dr. Pol remove quills from a dogs face. Not pretty.
thanks for sharing some great memories with Buckely.

[decker9]

^^^ bingo. A well behaved dog is no issue in my eyes, if anything, their a bonus to have around camp, or on your heel. A good dog will alert you of more game then you realize is there.
Porcupines, a dog’s nightmare. Mine got a dose during our sheep hunt this year, luckily dad had his leatherman in his pack.

A wondering dog I can see being an issue, a hunting trip is a perfect training session tho.

Take the dogs and have a blast, and good luck!!

[Piperdown]

A real beauty of a dog you have, love my dogs more than most people :)

[Redthies]

No there named Cuddles and Fluffy hahahaha

Calling “cuddles” loudly all the time could also get you in trouble depending on who is camped next door!

[dirtymax]

I got my dog as a pup right when I started hunting 5 years ago. Been on every trip with me since then . Helped me spot quite a few deer I would have walked right by . I’ve noticed a completely different mentality with him if he’s in the bush compared to home he’s always on point and never relaxed until back at camp . He lives for the moment he’s aloud to retrieve a bird .
i always tape up his collar to avoid jingling as well as do a bunch of target shooting with him leashed and attached to me .

[Arctic Lake]

Great photos of the dog Ron C. ! Real nice looking . A responsible caring dog person ! Yep it's bad enough if you have to listen to the neighbours dog yapping 24/7 but you go camping or hunting and someone has a yappy dog in camp, man that really ticks me off !
Arctic Lake

[Bugle M In]

Depends on the dog.
My husky always had orange on during hunting season.
They are to be leashed while hunting.
Again, around camp depends on the dog if they stick around or wander.
Yes, they can guard against grizz, but can also take of f after them (not fun!!).
They will let you know if something lurks in the dark while sleeping!
But do they bark, or quiet?
OR do they think they are on their "own hunting adventure"??? while you are on yours??? (Also frustrating!)

Depends on the dog and yes, some are better left at home!
Also, don't be like the clowns who had their shepard cross on the loose while hunting and thinking they were in the middle of nowhere so the dog was safe to run.
They almost lost it when it cam out of no where at full tilt at me and surprised the shit out of me.
Last second I realized it wasn't a wolf and it realized it "didn't know me" or heard it's owner???.
And left.
Almost dead however, so fyi.

[ACB]

The 3 dogs that I'v owned have all gone on hunting trips with me, all of them being hunting trained Labs. After getting a moose or deer the hunt turns into a duck/grouse hunt. If you're going with other guys you should ask them if it's ok for the dog to come along, if not don't have your feelings hurt, your hunting partners should have an opinion what's in camp as well. As far as porcupines go it seem's like every hunting dog just has to get into at least 1 in their lifetime while hunting. All three of mine just had to see how they tasted ONCE, I don't think getting those quills getting pulled out of the tongue and inside their cheeks feel to good. The dog that I have now got into one when he was about 18mo., he hasn't given them a second look since. When hunting moose or deer my dogs are locked in the truck or trailer.

[Bugle M In]

….……………………..

[chinooker]

Dog does not have to be on a leash, Regs state that they “must be leashed when used to hunt ungulates” I take my dog everywhere I don’t actually use him to hunt anything he’s just my companion and walks at heel. If you were seen with your dog running around out front and following him it could be argued you were using him to hunt.

[Maestro]

Dog does not have to be on a leash, Regs state that they “must be leashed when used to hunt ungulates” I take my dog everywhere I don’t actually use him to hunt anything he’s just my companion and walks at heel. If you were seen with your dog running around out front and following him it could be argued you were using him to hunt.

You must be in possession of firearm to qualified like hunting.

[Downtown]

I'd rather be in the bush or in camp with my dog (s) than many people I know. I've enjoyed many hunts with my late dog Buckely. He was not a "hunter" but would heal beside me and was great company. Had him on deer, elk, black and Griz bear hunts from 10 day big camp hunts to a backpack griz hunt. I shot allot of game and enjoyed many campfires with him at my side.

I'm going to be bringing my new lab with me this weekend for a dayhunt for deer. She will be on a 6' lead , but I don't have any worry she will be an issue. She has already done a weekend with me backpacking looking for elk sheds, a week of big camp "glamping", shore and boat fishing and fun stalks on Island blacktail and elk. I hope to bring her next month on a week of deer hunting where her kennel will be beside a nice comfy wood stove in my wall tent. With luck, we can do some grouse hunting.

Rules for dogs in camp?

Don't let them run all over hells half acre. I'd be more worried about my dog checking out a porcupine then having a bear issue. Clean up after your dog. And don't leave its food in an area that can attract anything from mice to bears

- neither of mine would come if they were:
- yappy or barkers
- not controllable

- didn't travel well
- aggressive or unfriendly towards others
- out of shape

And if I am planning on travelling, camping, hunting with others, I discuss this. If the dog is going to be a problem then it either stays at home or I go alone "well, me and the dog"

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/4131.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Ralph_tr.jpg


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/buckley.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Dog1.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/shd.jpg

Good post, thank you.

Cheers

[Downtown]

[QUOTE=mpotzold;2116183]In over 50 years of moose/deer hunting we never had a bear problem at camp even after hanging game for some time.
LT's(LOVER308 ) dog was with us on all of our hunts & did some barking at camp occasionally probably scaring the bear.

We always have a fairly large campfire. Some say that it deters bears others say it doesn't.
We are fairly loud when at camp.
More than 1 weapon is within easy reach -usually a defender & a 45/70. Also have a couple cans of bear spray to scare off a curious bear if needed. I even have a bear banger.

The time that we are extra careful is when field dressing the animal. One usually stands guard & is ready to shoot if necessary.

Last time we were north of Gang a hunting party from Quesnel, not that far away, had problems with bears every night even though they had 1 or 2 dogs. The dogs barking did not scare the bears. These were black bears but we have seen grizzly in the same area.
The lady hunter was an archery expert. She even killed a grizz with an arrow.[/QUOTE

Good post, thank you.

Cheers

[Camp Cook]

I have my 3 dogs with me 90% of the time here they are checking trail cams.

https://i.postimg.cc/t4wfzvvf/Chloe-Zoe-Bru-375-JDJ-Aug-25-2019.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[adriaticum]

Number 1 Do, is don't bring your dog unless they are hunting dogs

[whitespringer]

I have my 3 dogs with me 90% of the time here they are checking trail cams.

https://i.postimg.cc/t4wfzvvf/Chloe-Zoe-Bru-375-JDJ-Aug-25-2019.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Now those guys look like good company and great fun!
Thanks for posting

[Camp Cook]

My buddy just called he was out solo still hunting blacktail deer across a logging slash this evening he had a large male cougar stock in on him he didn't see it until it was appr 15 - 20 yards from him.

It was up wind from him so could smell him and knew he was a human but it still came in on him.

He's telling me he wishes he had a dog with him.

[mr604]

I always take the dog....leash? no....but I have her trained to respond to hand commands not just verbal....helps when she spots something and you need to keep control of the dog.... and she will heel beside the quad...she gets pissed when i force her to ride in the basket on the quad....keep a collar with a light though....can be hard to see the dog on a long walk/ride back to camp....the dog has found many deer I have downed and saved me time locating them....the only issue is she thinks she found the deer and it is hers...lol

[mpotzold]

[QUOTE=Ron.C;2116201]I'd rather be in the bush or in camp with my dog (s) than many people I know. I've enjoyed many hunts with my late dog Buckely.

Rules for dogs in camp?

Don't let them run all over hells half acre. I'd be more worried about my dog checking out a porcupine

Your right. A dog never talks back, argues with you or makes a complete drunken fool of themselves.
Porcupines... that could ruin a trip real quick. Seen Dr. Pol remove quills from a dogs face. Not pretty.
thanks for sharing some great memories with Buckely.

just saw this today

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/347742/A-Kelowna-lab-is-recovering-after-a-close-call-with-a-porcupine

https://www.castanet.net/content/2021/10/244462922_6401433699931155_8895713052542224996_n_p 3555034.jpg

[604Stalker]

Calling “cuddles” loudly all the time could also get you in trouble depending on who is camped next door!

.. Does that then by virtue extent to yelling fluffy in the woods??

[J_T]

Love my dogs. When I have them, they are with me always. I'm seldom without. They are in camp. Golden Retrievers never required a leash. None of my dogs have been barking dogs. The current pup I have still requires a leash in camp. When GOS is on, they are always leashed and with me. Don't want them to wander and get whacked by a careless rifle hunter. I don't actively hunt with my dogs. But that's mostly about the style of hunting I do. If we're on retrieval, there is nothing better than letting a dog be a part of that.

[wideopenthrottle]

mostly good experiences with dogs in camp but there was this one time both sets of tenderloins got eaten off the hanging elk....should have hung it higher before taking a celebratory rest I guess.... so hard to blame the dog

[BRvalley]

couple years back I found a lost st bernard in the mountains, poor thing wasn't going to last much longer....a family camping lost their two dogs after they had a run in with a porcupine, dogs ran off and were lost about a month, sadly the second dog didn't make it

[Gateholio]

If the dog starts chasing a grizzly, get your gun ready as pretty soon the grizzly will get tired of it and start chasing your dog. And your dog is going to run right to you and hide behind you. :)