We mock what we don't understand. I used to have slight negative feelings about the dog issue myself. Then I joined a camp that use them. Now we have some areas we push with the dogs late in the week but around the camp we do a lot of stand hunting and I must admit I enjoy that more.

the dog hunts however are NOT any easier!!! The dogs will confirm there is deer in the bush when you hear them get on a trail. That doesn't automatically mean you're about to start shooting deer. The deer will lots of time find there way through you regardless of how well you've set up your standers. they also will sometime push them to you but at 100 miles an hour! We only shoot safe shots we are comfortable making and so i have seen bucks just about run guys over. when asked why they didn't shoot the asnswer is always because they didn't feel they could make a good shot. (Ya, I know some guys just blaze away and hope to hit something but they do that from tree stands as well).

I've seen (or more accurately heard) deer run dogs in circles over creeks and swamps until it seems they dissappear never showing themselves to the standers. the dogs eventually come out of the bush with thier tongues dragging and a bewildered look in thier eyes.

Yes, sometimes they chase in the bush and a deer will come sneaking out right in front of you for an easy shot and it seems easy. That is defintley not all the time!

I have been standing there waiting and all of a sudden you hear the dogs from a mile away start "tonguing". Your heart rate goes up a notch. Then the sound starts heading your way. Your heart rate goes up another notch. then you know they are coming right at you and the hair on the back of your neck stands up! Then you hear crashing in the bush and you think you're hearts going to pound out of your chest. Suddenly the sound takes a hard right just before it hits the open clearing your watching over. next thing you know the sounds of the dogs gets further and further away......

That is an example of an unsuccesful dog hunt but man it is exciting!