2 dogs

[Gilles]

If I were to hunt deer with beagles, would a single beagle do the task or would I have to get 2 or more?
What would be a good single running deer dog besides the beagle? Are Bloodhounds any good?

[Speckmisser]

Gilles,

I never heard where you're located or how you wanted to use the dogs. ###

In CA, you're limited to one dog per hunter (in the areas where you can use dogs). ###What are the laws where you are?

If you're running the deer to standers, a couple of dogs is always a good bet. ###More, if you're in a large area. ###If you're hunting alone, then I would consider only using the one dog.

Bloodhounds are good trailers, but not ideal for running deer. ###But again, it depends on how you're using them. ###

A little more info would help garner useful suggestions.

With the extra info you sent me, I'll add a little to what I already said. ###A couple of beagles makes a decent little pack, but you'll need to break them from rabbits and foxes. ###Some experienced houndsmen in your area can probably give you some tips on that.

If you want to mix your pack a little, you might consider a walker or a blue tick. ###They're long-legged critters, though, and if they get past you they'll run for days. ###Some of them can catch a deer too, which would pretty much suck, since you've got to tag whatever they catch. ###They'll also leave your beagles in the dust once they jump the deer. ###
Don't use a bloodhound for that kind of work. ###It's not what they do best. ###Bloodhounds are great for tracking wounded deer, though. ###Then again, so is my brother's German Shepard.

In the area you're hunting, three dogs would probably be plenty, especially if there's only a couple of you out there most of the time. ###

Good luck and have fun. ###



(Edited by Speckmisser at 12:29 pm on Jan. 10, 2002)