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BdBHunts
06-10-2008, 12:00 AM
Well I made it to Columbus, Ohio very early Friday morning to hunt with a fellow from there and got a few hours sleep before we went out with his two Patterdale Terriers, Jesse and Wasp. This was my first time hunting with terriers and I was looking forward to it even though it was hot and muggy first thing in the morning.

We went to a new place that he had been told had groundhogs that were causing the owner problems. When we drove in the lane the wheat was high and it looked like we would have to look hard for the holes. As we continued down the lane the owner was leaving and she pointed out a shed that had hogs underneath it. After parking and walking over to the shed and looking at holes and wondering if they was actually anything there a groundhog appeared. It was back to the truck to get the male Jesse and bring him to the shed and see what would happen. It didn't take long for some action to happen and the excitement started. As Jesse worked under the shed another hog appeared and it was on the other side of the beam running down the center of the floor. So Wasp was brought out and she proceded to go under the floor on the other side of the beam. A third appeared and darted back underneath the floor.

After we got the first two young hogs the dogs concentrated on mama. There was thumping under the floor and the sounds of a fight. Several holes were dug under the sides of the shed and each time we got close the hog would move. The groundhog had the advantage of mobility as the dogs had to crawl on their sides to get under the floor joists. She was one pissed off mama and there was no putting the camera under to snap a picture. Jeff almost had a hole put in his nose when he looked under to see what was going own. She tried to take a piece out of the shovel when I was digging the hole bigger under the shed. This was my first time with terriers and his first under a building, instead of the usual field or creek banks, so we were not really prepared for getting to the dogs under a floor. After going through a couple shovels we finally got the floor up enough to get to the action. While we were inside lifting the floor the hog bolted and we got the dogs out and ended it there, 2 hours plus scrambling and fighting and they were tired. They were banged up and it looked like previous wounds had opened up a little along with new holes so we gathered them and looked after the injuries.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o2/bdbhunts/th_DSC009081a.jpg (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o2/bdbhunts/DSC009081a.jpg)
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o2/bdbhunts/th_DSC009101a.jpg (http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o2/bdbhunts/DSC009101a.jpg)

I made a new friend and am hopefully going pig hunting this winter in Florida with him, some friends and family. And yes he has hillbillies in the familiy.

Sharon
06-10-2008, 07:27 AM
I enjoy terriers too and have always had a Jack Russell.

At Terrier trials there is a long convoluted tunnel.
At the end is a rat in a cage.
The terrier has to show desire,fiestiness, drive , tenaciousness, to reach the rat.
( At the end of the trial, the rat has a 6 foot tail. LOL )

There is also a fox urine drag that the terrier has to follow with eagerness.

To become a Champion you book an appointment with a judge and the dog has to "go to ground" in a field.
You always take a shovel with you in case your dog becomes stuck.



I use mine for rabbit hunting.
Once they know what you are looking for , there is no holding them back.
The can't trail like a beagle, so it's a quick shot. You'd better be ready.

Oh yes, he checks the house before he goes to bed every night to make sure no mice have got in from the pigeon coop/seed. LOL

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/lee460/Jimmyat3.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g132/lee460/Casey-1.jpg

Parabuteo
06-10-2008, 06:47 PM
Sharon,

Does your JRT go to ground? If so how did you train it? Any suggestions?

I have a JRT that I use for rabbits, I have been thinking about teaching him to go to ground but I am not sure all the pros and cons and it is a choice that you can’t go back on or change your mind half way through so I want to be certain before I start training him.

One of my hunting partners is still on the mends from last season injury, right now it looks like his rabbit days are over(I will use him for grouse, pheasants and maybe ducks), I was thinking about training the JRT to specialize in squirrels to supplement Artemis(the bird) food supply.