Tips for hunting feral dogs.

[Oldbloke]

So I thought I would kick this one off. Im interested because tbere could be a few where I hunt in eastern victoria. Guessing you could whistle them in like foxes. On youtube you see hunters howling them in. But are there other tricks and tips out there? Who has experience hunting dogs?

[Squiddy]

+ 1 for wanting to know locations in Victoria.

Would be happy to lend a hand on a property if someone needs some pest control.

[Die Judicii]

Hey OB
Having never actually hunted them, and only ever shot ( 1 ) , but seeing as you ask I'll offer a simple observation.

Almost 100% of domestic dogs that I've squawked the "Scotch Predator" at, have either wanted to attack it or are overcome with curiosity.
However, a large percentage of them seem to very quickly lose interest after the first 5 mins of it.

That being said, you should only have to do it long enough to enable a well placed shot on a feral.

[on_one_wheel]

Dragging a carcus around behind your vehicle is a great way to leave a massive scent trail. keep going until the entrails fall out, re visit that spot later. Don't forget to unhook the carcus before you head into town.

[Die Judicii]

Don't forget to unhook the carcus before you head into town.

That reminded me,,, quite some time ago I was in a service station and saw a car with a rabbit that must have sat upright at the wrong time.
Its head was wedged in the cavity in the chrome bumper bar where the number plate was.
Its feet and hind legs had been ground off on the bitumin and there he was swinging in the breeze.

Just "hangin out" I guess.

[Mick280]

G'Day Oldbloke!
I've done a bit of dog shooting mate and yes they can be whistled in quite easily,I use an old 2 bob tin fox whistle!!
There are a couple of key points to keep in mind though!!!
9 times out of 10,You are not dealing with your timid little native dogs here!!!
They are pack animals!!!
They will hunt you!!!
If you're going into an area where you know there's a decent population,Take a mate with you as it's much safer to have some backup!!
If you must go alone,Set yourself up in a position where they can't come in behind you!!! ( I also carry a backup gun,12g Coach Gun is the best legal way to go about it Ive found )
Mick.

[Gwion]

Dogs have been known to bail deer hunters up in Vic. They are everywhere in the great dividing range from about Mansfield area northwards. Haven't heard them south of that area.

A mate twisted his ankle while fishing and was stalked on the upper King river. I have seen prints as big as my fist on creek banks around Bright & myrtle ford area and been kept awake many nights by a dialogue of howling dogs while camped solo on trout waters. Other side of Omeo they are thick as.

Got no tips on hunting them though.

[MalleeFarmer]

How about wrapping yourself up in sandwich steak and string making sure to leave a scent by rubbing on trees along the way and walk around all morning and in the arvo camp with a 12g shotty and wait for them to come and get ya..

[Press]

Dogs have been known to bail deer hunters up in Vic.

A mate and I had one such run in a while ago.

s**ting myself at the time.

Recap here.

[MalleeFarmer]

I meant to add....

[Gwion]

How about wrapping yourself up in sandwich steak and string making sure to leave a scent by rubbing on trees along the way and walk around all morning and in the arvo camp with a 12g shotty and wait for them to come and get ya..

[RoginaJack]

There are a million plus calls you can use from electronic to the good old two bob tin fox whistle. Some days this one works, other days that one works. Reminds me of fishing with lures or spinners.
There is nothing more exhilarating or scary than having a pack of dogs come up the paddock in answer to your call and then see them spread out in line abreast and head in your direction! These dogs come huntin, looking for a feed and mean business, so watch your back!
I;ve made calls up from the brass base of shotgun shells and they will work.
A tin fox whistle will do to start of and a cheap $2.00 squeaky toy from "Dollar Dazzler" shop, that you can operate with your foot (less movement) is enough to start with.
Cheers,

[Oldbloke]

This is getting interesting. I have seen dog tracks at times where I go but not thought much about it, assuming they are pets or deer hounds. I will keep this in mind next time I am up the North East. Any more tips from the more experiencd would be appreciated.

[Oldbloke]

Has anyone tried howlng them in?

[southwest shooter]

Paitence and sometimes an ounce of luck.

[RoginaJack]

Yep, gotta have wind right, well concealed, good field of view, front and rear (watch your back!), no movement AND a ton of patience. Don't howl continuously, a few howls and wait as the idea is to get them to come to you, not have a howling contest...

[wrenchman]

i dont know how the dogs are there but if you have a pet thats a hunting partner keep them close becouse yotes and wolfs will kill them and eat them wild canine seem to tarket domestic dogs.
guys here that run plot hounds or beagles try to stay away from areas with wolf packs.

[Gwion]

Try tapping the side of a dog food tin with a spoon....

[RoginaJack]

Try tapping the side of a dog food tin with a spoon....

Yes mate, I'm trying to get a stubborn dog to come within range and no luck so far, so I might give your suggestion a go!

Watch this space...

[RoginaJack]

Well, here's what a "tame" Dingo can do! I personally think "kissing" ANY dog is courting disaster as I think dogs see this as a threat & intrusion into their space.

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/0 ... ngo-attack

PS Trust the girl is OK.

[darwindingo]

"RoginaJack, I'm trying to get a stubborn dog to come within range and no luck so far"

Tree stand for your safety if you have one and a bitch on heat as bait appropriately located (in a cage for her safety) and wait !

[RoginaJack]

Yes, that's one of my tricks - getting too old for this running all over the bush thing so I sit and call.
Some times you get an answer; like 3 packs - 1 bitch with a couple of young pups and an old dog looking for company.
Patience and don't get in a howling contest with them.
Mick Ott has a couple of videos on youtube that gives a very good example of calling in dogs. Just gotta be well camouflaged, watch wind direction, good field of view, no movement, and tons of patience.
Cheers.

[RoginaJack]

"RoginaJack, I'm trying to get a stubborn dog to come within range and no luck so far"

Tree stand for your safety if you have one and a bitch on heat as bait appropriately located (in a cage for her safety) and wait !

Haven't tried the Bitch trick, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. The tree stand works really well as the dogs seem to scan at their eye hight kind of thing and don't look up that far unless there is movement = Dead giveaway. Don't call when the dogs are looking in your direction! Pay attention to the wind, the dogs have a really great sense of smell and lots of patience.
Good luck

[darwindingo]

The thing I really like with the tree stand is that the scent line is up in the breeze, I once fell asleep in one and was woken by a stag having a rub on the same tree Guess he didn't smell me.

Clearly dogs have a very good nose, it may help if you can get her to piss on something like a piece of lino and pour it into a spray bottle and spray some around the area too.. Hey I wont tell anyone if you spray a mist on your hunting clothes to help mask your scent.. ... .. Be sure and post a pic when you get him



Jeff

[RoginaJack]

Be sure and post a pic when you get him Will do Darwindingo, it's a pack of 3-5 that I'm after and very smart too. Now the heavy rain and local flooding has pasted down, we might get back to business..

Cheers

[darwindingo]

Sorry mate "When u get him" I meant them

[Oldbloke]

I thought I would post this image about dogs vision here too. Can we us this to our advantage?

What calibres do you guys think would be best for dogs? Im interested in havng a go at howling them if the opportunity arrises, but not keen at this stage of working up specialised loads.

I have a 3006 usualy loaded with 180g interlocks?.
Or 223 usualy loaded with 55g SPs.?

dog %26 deer vision-4.jpg (24.6 KiB) Viewed 7787 times

[on_one_wheel]

Dogs are built reasonably lightly, a .223 with 55's will be fine.
Most of the dog's I've shot have been with a .243 and that basically cut them in half.

This is worth a read, not only is it a blody great story but it is full of hints form a old dog trapper / hunter.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-2 ... er/4917640

[Rifle realist]

Same as on one wheel, used to use a 243 favourite now is .260 with 120 gn ballistic tips. Where I shoot, Northern Gascoyne whatever I have with me. Only rifle failed was my .338 Win Mag with .225 Accu bonds, about 50 yard shot, he ran about 700 yards until he bled out, found the dog the next day after the wedgies hat been at him neat 34 caliber hole through both shoulder blades. Dragging a carcass works the dogs up this way often walk the tracks. Remembering where there are carcasses from previous feral kills ie camels & donkeys is always worth a look,mostly its opportunity,always have a loaded rifle in the cruiser on the station.

[ebr love]

I thought I would post this image about dogs vision here too.

Interesting picture, thanks