Tips on Hunting and Calling the Gray Fox

Unlike the typical red fox, Gray fox prefer to live in the thicker areas made up of woods and heavy brush.

With hooked claws, a gray fox has the ability to climb trees and will often hunt for food and seek shelter in a tree. They will also climb a tree to escape danger. They make their dens in rocky crevices, caves, trees, hollow logs and brush piles. A Gray will often widen the burrow of a smaller animal and use it to raise their young. Dens are only used during the mating season and when raising pups.

They also have a reputation for aggressively responding to a distress call. Without much sign of fear or caution, a gray fox will often rush in within those first few minutes of calling. Popular distress calls include cottontail rabbit distress sounds, mouse and vole squeaks and gray fox pup distress.

Small grassy fields surrounded by woods are some of the best places to hunt. You'll want to sit a distance of 30 to 40 yards out from the tree line. Like all predator hunting and calling you'll want to blend your silhouette into the surroundings by sitting against a tree, hillside or tucked into some tall brush.Although movement is usually what a fox will detect first, it's a good idea to wear camouflage from head to toe paying more attention to your head and hands.

Gray fox have a very capable sense of smell and will turn and bolt at the slightest hint of human scent. Like hunting all predators, you will need to consider wind direction into your set up.

Producing a distress sound at a high volume usually results in a fast response from the fox. It doesn't seem to matter if you blow the distress call in a sequence or continuously. Both techniques seem to work on a gray fox. If nothing responds in the first 10 minutes it usually means that no grays are present and it's time to move to a new location.

Gray fox are not large animals and smaller caliber guns starting with a 22 mag or a 12 gage shotgun using #4 shells are popular choices. A turkey load using #4 shot will work. A 22 mag is a good choice out to about 100 yards. A shotgun is a very good choice out to approximately 30 yards.

Just like hunting coyotes, bobcats and all other predators, hunting the gray fox will challenge your hunting and calling skills while providing some adrenaline filled fast paced predator calling action.

Todd Sullivan (dogbreath) is a diehard coyote hunter and author with over 12 years of coyote hunting experience. He is also the author of a free beginner's guide to coyote hunting. If you would like to learn more about coyote hunting please visit http://www.FreeCoyoteHuntingGuide.com

Irish Setter - Intelligent Hunting Dog With A Passion For Fun

Irish Setter Dog breed. Childish, frisky, loud and mischievous. The Red setter will steal your heart!

With its elegant carriage and long, silky chestnut coat, the Irish Setter is a breed that is immediately recognizable in any situation. They are popular pets in both the United States and in Europe and for very good reason.

This breed has been around for at least three hundred years and its many positive traits point to them being around for many years to come.

Despite it's reputation for being a great family pet, the Irish setter has its roots in Ireland as a hunting Dog. With its keen nose and sharp self-restraint, an Irish setter could be depended on to "point" at upland game birds.

During the early part of the 19th century, Irish setters were brought to the United States, where the breed was praised for its sharp nose, impressive speed and general sturdiness over every sort of terrain.

By the 1940's however, the breed was dwindling and it was put forth that an out cross with another Dog breed could bring some vitality to the failing Irish setter. Through the efforts of a man named Ned LaGrange from Pennsylvania, the breed was preserved.

LeGrange spent a great deal of money to acquire the last pure examples of this breed in America and to import specimens from Europe. The traditional red and white Irish setters were crossbred with English setters. This has resulted in the modern red setter, a dog that is a bit lighter than the original breed.

There is a great deal of debate whether to consider this cross breeding the new type of Irish setter and whether to allow this breed to show.

If you are in a position to think about adopting an Irish setter, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

First remember that the Irish setter was once praised as a hunting dog. This indicates that this is a breed that requires a fair amount of daily exercise. Irish setters are goal oriented dogs, and they do not take terribly well to being let loose in a small yard.

A certain amount of fenced yard space or a commitment to take the dog out for walks and runs on a daily basis is an important part of ensuring that this breed stays happy.

While its size might lead people to use it as a guard dog, the Irish setter is usually considered too friendly to be a good guard animal, although its loud bark might warn off intruders.

Also, Irish setters are considered to be a moderately healthy breed of dog, although they are prone to genetic disorders including hip dysplasia, hyperthyroidism, and epilepsy.

Many people note that an Irish setter stays a puppy long after he or she has achieved adult size.

These dogs are known to be intelligent and mischievous, a condition that can be a bit tough on new dog owners. Obedience training that is both consistent and interesting is important to keeping this breed behaving properly, and if neglected, can lead to a dog that is more than a little headstrong.

On the other hand, Irish setters are a very gentle breed that is known to be good with children, and if treated well, can be excellent pets and companions.

By John Adams Dog breeds explained.

The Irish Setter is loyal, frisky, sometimes deaf, stubborn but lovable. Is that you:

Irish Setter dog explained. Is this dog breed right for you?

Learn About Hunting Dog Breeds

There are three main kinds of hunting hounds: Sighthounds, scent hounds and lurchers.

Sighthounds, like the Whippet, have amazing eyesight and are extremely fast runners. Their way of hunting is called 'coursing'. They see their prey - often from a huge distance - then they stalk, chase and kill it. These Dogs are athletic, fast, very quiet and extremely independent. They are very affectionate and loyal to their owners and are good with small children. They make hopeless guard Dogs as they're so trusting!

Scent hounds, as you would imagine, use their sense of smell for hunting. Beagles, Basset Hounds and the American Coonhound all use their noses to track the prey. They very often hunt in packs and can chase game for a very long way before cornering it or killing it. These Dogs have characteristic booming barks and soulful expressions.

Lurchers are primarily some kind of sighthound bred with a working dog.

Gun Dogs

Hunters take a gun dog along with them to bring back whatever has been shot. Retrievers are very good at remembering where prey has fallen and love to retrieve ducks or geese that have been shot and landed in water. A typical gun dog is very well trained and can follow commands from a long distance away. They are renowned for their 'soft mouths' which means that they don't leave a mark on the game that they have retrieved.

Spaniels are excellent for finding game and flushing it out of any hiding place. They are also greats swimmers, good family dogs and fiercely loyal.

Pointers are also loyal. They're happy and affectionate dogs. Although they are bred to hunt, they make great pets as long as they get sufficient exercise. When they are hunting, they literally point! They find the game and then stop dead, letting the hunter know where it is. Once they are commanded, they flush the prey out for the hunter to shoot. Setters are good pointers.

One of the most famous pointers was Judy, a ship's dog during the Second World War. Her special skill was to point where Japanese planes were coming from - long before any of the humans on board could even hear their engines! Judy was awarded the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross (the Dickin Medal) in 1946.

Terriers

Most of the animals that terriers help to hunt for are pests. For example, Jack Russells go after ground hogs and foxes in America and Terriers hunt badgers in the UK (legally and illegally!). Hunters who work with these dogs are called terriermen.

Curs

These are used in a similar way to terriers but the game that they hunt is usually larger, such as boars, raccoons and even cougars. Staffordshire Terriers and any other kind of hunting dog are often bred together to produce hunting curs.

For more Beagle information [http://www.thedogsbone.com/articles/12/1/Beagle-Information---Who-Would-Have-Thought-They-Were-Hunting-Dogs/Beagle-Information---Who-Would-Have-Thought-They-Were-Hunting-Dogs.html], click here. For information on your canine friends, click here.

Dog Training Collars For the Hunting Dog

Trying to choose the right Dog training collar can be a daunting task. These days there are so many types you can choose from. For example if you are a bird hunter and you want to use your bird Dog as your hunting partner, you will want him equipped with just the right training collar. The water fowler hunts in unique settings and needs top performance from his most important asset: his retriever. You will want your hunting experience to be very successful.
One of the most popular models of training collar is by SportDog. Here are examples of some of the very effective and successful hunting collars.

1) The SportDog Field Trainer - An effective and affordable dog training collar with a 400 yard range featuring a 2.8 oz receiver collar ideal for any dog over 30 pounds or sporting and hunting breeds. This shock collar is ideal for training in the yard, field, or for hunting with close-working dogs. Both the transmitter and receiver are waterproof and submersible. The low continuous stimulation levels and gradual increases between levels are particularly useful with sensitive dogs or breeds. You can customize your SportDog Field Trainer Shock Dog Collar to match your training preference.

2) SportDog Stubborn Dog Field Trainer - An incredibly versatile training collar and a good choice for all-around use. It is an effective and affordable dog training collar with a 400 yard range featuring a 2.8 oz receiver shock collar ideal for any dog over 30 pounds or sporting and hunting breeds. This dog collar is for hard-to-train dogs. It is ideal for training in the yard, field, or for hunting with close-working dogs. Both the transmitter and receiver are waterproof and submersible. This dog training collar allows you to customize your transmitter to your training needs.

3)SportDog Wetland Hunter - A dedicated waterfowl product that is rugged, waterproof and submersible just like all remote trainers in the Wetland Hunter line, but in an unbelievably compact size. Wetland Hunter shock dog collar with its high-output receiver has enough power for the toughest wetland hunting environments.

4)SportDog Sport Hunter Dog Training Collar - This rugged shock collar is versatile and excels in all environments. Both the Transmitter and Receiver are waterproof and submersible. The low continuous stimulation levels and gradual increases between levels are particularly useful with sensitive dogs or breeds. With a long 3/4 mile of range and the comfortable 'soft coat' Transmitter finish, this unit is a pleasure to handle.

These dog collars all have various range levels and stimulation levels, be sure to read all the specs about the dog training you are interested in buying. Be sure to use the proper techniques with the dog training collar of your choice. Remember a good hunting dog will be one that receives the appropriate training that teaches them how to follow commands so your hunt is a rewarding experience.

Karen Carter is the owner for Kozydogs your Dog Kennel, Dog Crate and Training Collar Store. We carry quality brand names such as PetSafe, Innotek and SportDog in our dog-training-shock-collar-pg1 with afforable prices. Be sure to check out our extensive line of pet supplies and training products. We carry several styles, sizes and colors in our pet product line. Please visit us to find what you've been searching for.

Choosing a Hunting Dog That is Right For You

Choosing a puppy and picking a hunting partner is a big decision. While a family Dog still needs to be carefully selected to fit into your home life, deciding on the right hunting Dog requires a bit more forethought.

Breed and Breeder

Most important... is what breed of Dog best suits your hunting needs. While some breeds crossover well, others tend to excel in one area.

Books and the Internet are invaluable research tools. This can help you understand how different breeds deal with home life or how much non-hunting exercise they will require.

Don't skimp on this step, in-depth research should help you narrow down your choices.

Visit local breeders of the types of Dogs you are considering.

Talk to them about the type of hunting you do, your home situation, and how much time you are willing to devote to training.

Breeders don't just want to sell dogs; their reputations rely on putting the right dog with the right person and situation.

Inform them what your future plans are with the dog. After meeting with breeders, you should have a good idea which dog is right for you.

Look at the Litter

While bloodline doesn't matter in a family pet, it is of the utmost importance when choosing a puppy that will become your hunting dog.

Be sure to see both parents and take a good look at their pedigrees. People who breed show dogs often select those that lack the traits useful in a hunting dog, so avoid litters by dogs bred for show. Though this is not always the case.

After finding parents that look good on paper, ask to tag along to watch the parents train, or better yet, join them on an actual hunt. An experienced breeder won't hesitate to prove their dogs' bloodline, but remember you will be paying for that heritage as well as for the individual puppy.

Choosing a Puppy

If your earlier research was thorough, you should know what traits to look for in the breed you have selected.

However, choosing a puppy goes beyond physical characteristics; proper disposition is imperative in a hunting dog.

Do not choose a pup prior to six weeks of age as their temperament can still change in that time.

As most breeders won't allow pups to leave their mother until seven or eight weeks old, this still leaves a fair window for you to select the one that meets your needs before they are sold. Some breeders prefer to wait 10 weeks.

Ask the breeder his opinion which pup might be a good match for your situation. The breeder would have spent quite a bit of time with his puppies, and has figured out the most dominate, friendly, independent, skittish, etc. Every dog has their own unique personality.

You want to look for a pup that is not shy or skittish; the one that wanders over to lick your hand is a good contender.

However, if a pup tries to lay claim to you, they are likely dominant which could be a problem later on, so be sure dominance is something you want in a dog before selecting a puppy that displays the trait.

A big issue for a prospective hunting dog, is how the pup will react to noise. Get down low to the ground and make a loud sound. If a puppy runs off and doesn't come back to you, they may not be the best choice for hunting.

You also want your pup to have been physically handled by the breeder, so they are not afraid of human interaction.

If you follow these steps and make sure you pick the right breeder, litter and puppy, you will be well on your way. Remember that choosing a puppy is itself a first step; proper training once you get your new addition home is crucial.

Lizzie Novotny R.N has a researched and informative website about dogs, especially the sporting dog breeds. She raises, trains and shows dogs and horses, and is familiar with all aspects of their care. Find answers to your dog-related questions by visiting her website.
http://www.the-hunting-dog.com