Hunting Pit's and Crosses

Nolte · Post by **Nolte** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:53 pm

This thread cracks me up. Mike hit it spot on up above.

I've seen all sorts of this/that used and haven't been real impressed with it. But then again, lots of hounds haven't impressed me either.

From what I can tell about guys who hunt hogs, they use some sort of a tracking/winding dog that will also bay up the critter. Then those catch dogs are sent in to do their deal. They aren't let to run the entire race, because they'd peter our before it was their turn to do the job they were born and bred for.

My lab bays a critter pretty solid at times. He's got a few pups fired up on training session, in fact. But on a real chase, he'd be hitch hiking the entire time until that point of bay up. So really what good would he add to the mix, not much. In the same tone I've got a hound that will go pick up sticks and bring them to me. I'd about bet that I could get him to retrieve. But I can promise you that ol Longears ain't coming with me to the duck blind.

To me it doesn't matter who "started" the fight, only that they were fighting. It is dealt with seriously and then finally if it turns out to be a problem. There are all sorts of reasons that could be the "start" problem, some of which go against basic dog biology. There is a big difference between a guy smoking while lighting firecrackers, vs handling dynamite.

pig snatcher · Post by **pig snatcher** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 12:03 am

I use pitts as lead in catch dogs on hogs and use several pitt/hound mixes as bay dogs. I have no problems w/ either fighting, they all ride and hunt togather.

When crossing pitt and hound the ofspring will usually be grittier than the hound, have a little less nose, and be silent on track. For pigs this cross has its advantages when used propperly, you just cant run many togather or w/ other gritty dogs or they are gonna try to catch whatever they get on be it big or small. If you are running a small pack like two baydogs and a lead in bulldog they can be an asset as they can strike, run, bay and will catch hard with the bulldog when you send him in.

Running a bulldog loose is nothing but a liability to your pack as he is going to catch when he gets there and that can be bad business if they are caught on a bad hog and you arent around to lend a hand.

Moonshiner · Post by **Moonshiner** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:46 am

Since i dont have much experience with hunting hounds or pits I cant comment much, but What i am looking for now is a dog that'll back up my "little" pup. We found a pack of coyotes last night at a local park that has been having trouble with em, I took the pup with me to try and get a yote, but after the yotes started singing I found out there were alot more than two yotes, and my pup decided that i wasnt enough back-up, and from what folks have told me that have seen most of the pack, alot of these coyotes are weighing in at 40-50lbs, which I know sound unbelievable, but when they give ya the dimensions its really aint.

Alot of you fellers have the luxury of hunting lion and bear, which isnt possible for us Oregonians, all we are aloud to hunt with dogs is Yotes, Bobs, Coons, and Hogs. I originally wanted to hunt coons with my hound but when i found that the seasons for these critters is in the winter, I looked towards other animals, so Ive decided to hunt coyotes and hogs, maybe Bob, but ill see about that when winter comes round. The coyotes that we hunt over in western oregon, are in pretty thick brush, and would more than likely stand and fight than turn and fight, at least the ones ive met. Im looking for a dog that'll help out my pup incase he needs it, hopefully he wont, but I want my pup safe. Id like to stick with the coonhound breed Bluetick, or a bigger cur, and id like to get myself a Majestic, but in bluetick coloring, lol, im not stuck on a breed, more like stuck on a coloring, Wouldnt mind a brindle plott either.
Im looking to build up a pack of males with the smallest being 90lbs and the avg weight being over 100lbs.

Rockcreek · Post by **Rockcreek** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:25 am

Moonshiner- A little friendly word of advice... Don't get hung up on size or color. Just look for results! The rest really don't matter IMO. Take care and good luck.

Moonshiner · Post by **Moonshiner** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:31 am

-Rock, all i got is is to be hung up on size and color, lol. As i start hunting more i'll probably get whatever coondawg that does well for me, Im not trying to start a Ford vs. Chevy argument

, I just dont have much to base things on. I do like the bigger dogs though, and thats just cause ive have small birddogs for such a long time, having a dog that you can see in tall grass is a change, lol.

Dan Edwards · Post by **Dan Edwards** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:56 am

I just want to wish you good luck on your endevour. You are goin to learn a lot over the next few years if you are able. Dont get discouraged cause you are gonna get your ass whipped for real over the next few years. You will figure this game out though if you stick with it. Just remember things are not always what they seem to be. In 4 or 5 years you will know exactly what I mean by that statement. There aint but a handful of people in this country making any attempt at doing what you are trying to do so you will be all on your own. As far as the 100# dogs go though, you can forget that. Them coyotes will have them big dogs so frustrated that they will quit for sure if they dont just up and quite out of fear which is most likely whats gonna happen to alot of your dogs. Just remember you are not in a pit and you are not pitting your dog against a coyote. Its a totally different world out there.

briarpatch · Post by **briarpatch** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:10 pm

Moonshiner, you will save yourself A LOT of time and expense if you will really HEAR these guys, such as Pete, and HEED their advice.

briarpatch

bad moon · Post by **bad moon** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:04 pm

well for you guys into the pit crosses. i just had some hit the ground. my male is from wade lemon of WADE LEMON HUNTING he is a cross between an origanal breed standard pit and a catahoula a true hunting machine, as nice to people and pack dogs as he is mean to prey. he stands about 22" high weighs about sixty pounds and has no problem keeping up in an all day chase.. the bitch is a long legged black and tan dog said to be duncan breed. she has a rather good nose and speed on track. i am trying a few as bear dogs for my self if anydody is interested send me a pm

cooner · Post by **cooner** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:47 pm

have seen some pit and patterdale terrier crosses make some nice dogs. Great for pulling coon and if big enough would be good for coyotes in a culvert. Just bred my female patterdale to a 3/4 patterdale 1/4 pitt cross. i am very excited with this cross and can't wait to see how these pups turn out. I think that 1/8 pitt in them will be a great deal to give them just a little more grit and hard headedness to pull more coon. Time will tell though. in the future i may try i 1/2 cross to get a 25 lb. terrier that can really smash the critters.

BMC97756 · Post by **BMC97756** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:51 pm

Moonshiner wrote: from what folks have told me that have seen most of the pack, alot of these coyotes are weighing in at 40-50lbs, which I know sound unbelievable, but when they give ya the dimensions its really aint.

40lbs would be pushing it for yotes in your area, my friends hunt that same area w/ stag/airedales and a Jagd.. Scent hound will never catch a yote in that thick stuff they are just not fast enough... You could have your hounds push the yote to a road or clearing and shoot it.. Not to be a downer but other than running walkers and julys, hounds cant catch yotes..JM2C... I will second dont try to reinvent the wheel you will be vary disappointed..

C.J.

pete richardson · Post by **pete richardson** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:30 am

Not to be a downer but other than running walkers and julys, hounds cant catch yotes

tell that to some trashy bear dogs ive had LOL

never say never

ive caught a few coyotes with all kinds of hounds and one cur on snow - ive also not caught many times more with same dogs - to catch a coyote with a slower hound -- has to be a super track dog-- no losses - they wear em down eventually-bay them up - it can be very close to bear hunting - the down side is go thru a lot of dogs to find that kind of track dog-

nyways - this thread made me think of a buddy thats passed away=and his pit crosses -

probably toughest man i ever met and one of the stubbornest lol

-he had them get in a fight once when coupled together - so he used a single leash for each dog after that ---

just how he was--- there was no sense arguing with him--

no way was he gonna let go of leashes or give up - if they are gonna fight, they would have to whip him first -

- didnt see it --just heard it--lot of strange noises - was getting worried when he came in sight -him and the dogs were covered in mud--blood-- dog spit - they had started to fight and tangled him up in leashes - got him down in a mud puddle - almost drowned him -

you had to know him-- he never said a word then- told me about it later - put them back in box like nothing had happened - walked to brook to clean himself up -

what a sight he was - -if it had been a normal person i woulda called 911 :shock:

just another day in paradise for him -

Jake Bell · Post by **Jake Bell** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 11:39 pm

alot of you guys are pretty horny for you dogs to catch and kill a coyote, i was too until it happend, i like a good deal of grit in my dogs but i like them to have brains to use it right, i seen my cousins plott grab one by the neck and they locked up, the dog was getting it just as bad as the yote and there was a running walker on the other end pulling a little, this went on too long before i could get the pair back so i could kill the damn thing, well that darn plott swelled up and was layed up for 2 weeks from infection, i had a jagd that was like a 20 lb pit and would try and eat anything and thats what killed her, she killed a porky and i had to put her down. now i just want a dog that will pull hair and take it a little bit but not stand there like a retard and get knocked all to hell. I think a smart dog pushes what ever its caught to its limit at the start just to size it up and then goes from there, if its a big bad ass bear, they should keep a bit of distance and pull hair when they can, if its a push over then they had better be kickin its ass up a tree. I run alot of coyotes as there are few bear where i am and we have good success, usually shoot them at crossing points but i have to say my plotts can keep up with my buddies running walkers, hopefully my new dog is faster lol he is built to go with great bit long legs and a slim build, had him on bear last week, he did good now i cant wait for winter to put him down on a track with my female. Good luck with your cross, it would be cool to see how it turns out.

DWD58 · Post by **DWD58** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:42 pm

Good post Pops! Some of you guys are hunting pit crosses right now in your 'Registered Dogs" and dont even know it. I know of a 1/2 pit cross that got a big game award from a major breed registery a few years ago that went on to breed several top females. I also know of several bird dog crosses and even a doberman cross into some night hunt champions, so be careful about them glass houses!

Dan Edwards · Post by **Dan Edwards** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:22 am

Thats funny about the doberman cross cause I also know of a doberman cross that has produced several and I mean several Grand Night Champion coondogs. Wonder if we are thinkin of the same fellas. :lol:

Pops · Post by **Pops** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:30 am

it's funny that ya'll mention the dobermans. i had a wonderful doberman bitch when i was in high school. she caught deer after fairly long runs, lots of details but basically about 4500 acres surrounding our subdivision was unhunted. the deer were destroying hundreds of thousands of dollars in landscaping every year, so the neighbors didn't fuss. well one neighbor had a showdog gordon setter ( B & T setter). mr motivated scaled an 8ft fence to knock up my dobe. i kept a pup and it went on to help mom catch deer and caught a big nice buck by herself. tough as nails and tons of drive. unfortunately i was too interested in a different kind of KITTY. i wish i had been as focused on dogging then as i am now. i had more time and could have made a good line of cur off that cross.
after i retire i plan on trying it on purpose (among other dogging endeavors) after i find a really good dobe gyp, but i'm going to look for feild type studs. should make fair hogdogs.