Welcome back to another episode of Cutting the Distance podcast. I'm Dirk Durham and this week's guest is a family man, an outfitter and guide and all around outdoorsman. Welcome to the show. Chris Cabralhi's a villain, Dirk Good, Did I say your last name right?

Welcome back to another episode of Cutting the Distance podcast. I'm Dirk Durham and this week's guest is a family man, an outfitter and guide and all around outdoorsman. Welcome to the show. Chris Cabralhi's a villain, Dirk Good, Did I say your last name right?

Yep? Cabral that's correct?

Yep? Cabral that's correct?

Perfect? Perfect. So how's winter treated you so far? At your Instagram shows, You've been pretty busy.

Perfect? Perfect. So how's winter treated you so far? At your Instagram shows, You've been pretty busy.

It's pretty slow early December just because of lack of snow cat hunting. But after that, once about Christmas hit, we had a really good season, ended up killing seven real.

It's pretty slow early December just because of lack of snow cat hunting. But after that, once about Christmas hit, we had a really good season, ended up killing seven real.

Nice cat Holy cal that's awesome. How many cat clients do you typically take out every week?

Nice cat Holy cal that's awesome. How many cat clients do you typically take out every week?

I try to take between eight and ten usually.

I try to take between eight and ten usually.

Okay, yeah, Now do you guys are you guys camping at your remote base camp out there? Are you?

Okay, yeah, Now do you guys are you guys camping at your remote base camp out there? Are you?

Like? No, We run all of our cat hunts out of Avery, Idaho, that little town, and we can start hunting just nine miles out of town, so we actually stay in an apartment or a house that we ran every winter, and we got Wi Fi and running water and that kind of stuff.

Like? No, We run all of our cat hunts out of Avery, Idaho, that little town, and we can start hunting just nine miles out of town, so we actually stay in an apartment or a house that we ran every winter, and we got Wi Fi and running water and that kind of stuff.

Okay, Okay, on off snowmobiles or do you guys using side by sides or tracks or anything.

Okay, Okay, on off snowmobiles or do you guys using side by sides or tracks or anything.

No, we use We use snowmobiles and trucks for all our cat hunts. Side by sides of tracks are just too slow. We need to cover up as much ground as we can.

No, we use We use snowmobiles and trucks for all our cat hunts. Side by sides of tracks are just too slow. We need to cover up as much ground as we can.

Yeah. Yeah, I've heard guys talk about the side by sides with tracks. They're cool, but man, they use a lot of fuel and they're just not very fast.

Yeah. Yeah, I've heard guys talk about the side by sides with tracks. They're cool, but man, they use a lot of fuel and they're just not very fast.

Yeah. It's a maintenance thing on the bearings and fuel is just incredibly you know, they're just not economical at all.

Yeah. It's a maintenance thing on the bearings and fuel is just incredibly you know, they're just not economical at all.

Yeah. Do you guys get any any really big cats this year?

Yeah. Do you guys get any any really big cats this year?

Yeah? About the biggest one was probably one ninety five Cole Tom.

Yeah? About the biggest one was probably one ninety five Cole Tom.

That's a giant.

That's a giant.

Yeah, yeah, it was. It was a good one.

Yeah, yeah, it was. It was a good one.

Do you think do you think taking that many cats out of the picture is really helping the elk and dear herds up there?

Do you think do you think taking that many cats out of the picture is really helping the elk and dear herds up there?

I mean, I think so definitely. You can see the kills drop down from the end of the beginning of the season to the end. By the end, there's no next to no cat kills, you know. And we've been hut in the same area for twenty five years, so we've definitely saved a lot of you know, deer and milk for sure.

I mean, I think so definitely. You can see the kills drop down from the end of the beginning of the season to the end. By the end, there's no next to no cat kills, you know. And we've been hut in the same area for twenty five years, so we've definitely saved a lot of you know, deer and milk for sure.

Yeah, that's nice. And then after cat season you got trade shows. How many of those do you typically do?

Yeah, that's nice. And then after cat season you got trade shows. How many of those do you typically do?

Man with social media and the website now, we've downsized so much. We only do the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania show anymore, and we do. We've done that show for thirty eight years and we do really well there.

Man with social media and the website now, we've downsized so much. We only do the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania show anymore, and we do. We've done that show for thirty eight years and we do really well there.

Holy cow, Yeah that's a long time. That's a long show too. Is it like ten days?

Holy cow, Yeah that's a long time. That's a long show too. Is it like ten days?

Yeah? Nine nine days yep?

Yeah? Nine nine days yep?

Oh wow, Yeah, those those are kind of marathon days.

Oh wow, Yeah, those those are kind of marathon days.

Yeah. I wish they would shut it down to like maybe the first weekend to Wednesday, But I don't know. We do really well at.

Yeah. I wish they would shut it down to like maybe the first weekend to Wednesday, But I don't know. We do really well at.

It, yeah, perfect. You get a lot of return clients or picking up new guys all the time.

It, yeah, perfect. You get a lot of return clients or picking up new guys all the time.

We get new guys, but our biggest thing is eighty to ninety percent repeat clientele. So some of them guys haven't hunted with us in twenty years. They bear hunted twenty years ago, and then they'll come back on a cat hunt now, you know, or elk hunt, you know whatever it be.

We get new guys, but our biggest thing is eighty to ninety percent repeat clientele. So some of them guys haven't hunted with us in twenty years. They bear hunted twenty years ago, and then they'll come back on a cat hunt now, you know, or elk hunt, you know whatever it be.

Sure sure are you guys running bears with dogs? Are you guys strictly bear baiting?

Sure sure are you guys running bears with dogs? Are you guys strictly bear baiting?

I do mostly bear baiting. I run it with dogs. I run them with dogs for my repeat clients and guys that are in shape that know they can make it to the tree. The hard part is our areas are so remote. Not everybody can make it to a bear tree. Bears run so much further than cats do in our country.

I do mostly bear baiting. I run it with dogs. I run them with dogs for my repeat clients and guys that are in shape that know they can make it to the tree. The hard part is our areas are so remote. Not everybody can make it to a bear tree. Bears run so much further than cats do in our country.

Yeah, I notice that going out with Bradley here on bear hunts. I never really realize how much much ground American cover on it when they're pursued by dogs.

Yeah, I notice that going out with Bradley here on bear hunts. I never really realize how much much ground American cover on it when they're pursued by dogs.

Yeah, most people have no clue how far they can run there, Like a cat can run less than a bear. Cats are really short winded. A barrel run for twelve hours straight.

Yeah, most people have no clue how far they can run there, Like a cat can run less than a bear. Cats are really short winded. A barrel run for twelve hours straight.

Yeah, it's incredible. And then some of that country, like you say, it's very remote and if this kind of if you get into that roadless stuff, then you kind of you're risking like maybe not getting your dogs till the next day or something.

Yeah, it's incredible. And then some of that country, like you say, it's very remote and if this kind of if you get into that roadless stuff, then you kind of you're risking like maybe not getting your dogs till the next day or something.

Yeah, And I mean, honestly, there's enough roadless stuff where you can get your dog. Never get your dogs back, honestly, the GPS callers die and then you're in a predicament.

Yeah, And I mean, honestly, there's enough roadless stuff where you can get your dog. Never get your dogs back, honestly, the GPS callers die and then you're in a predicament.

Oh yeah, do you when you are running dogs for cats and bears, do you kind of pregame it a little bit checking for wolf sign to see if there's any wolves in the area.

Oh yeah, do you when you are running dogs for cats and bears, do you kind of pregame it a little bit checking for wolf sign to see if there's any wolves in the area.

Always. I'm probably one of the luckier guys in Idaho when it comes to hounds and wolves because I run all my roads seven days a week and I don't mess around if there's wolves in the area, I just won't turn loose on a cat track.

Always. I'm probably one of the luckier guys in Idaho when it comes to hounds and wolves because I run all my roads seven days a week and I don't mess around if there's wolves in the area, I just won't turn loose on a cat track.

Yeah. Yeah, for the listeners.

Yeah. Yeah, for the listeners.

Oh go ahead. I was just gonna say a lot of my good friends I've had dogs hurt by wolves, but I knock on woods still to this day. I've been very lucky.

Oh go ahead. I was just gonna say a lot of my good friends I've had dogs hurt by wolves, but I knock on woods still to this day. I've been very lucky.

That's good. Yeah for our listeners that don't know. You know, if if wolves here baying hound dogs, then that's like a big attractment and they'll go and they'll go fight them, kill them. Is it kind of a territorial thing.

That's good. Yeah for our listeners that don't know. You know, if if wolves here baying hound dogs, then that's like a big attractment and they'll go and they'll go fight them, kill them. Is it kind of a territorial thing.

It's territorial things, same thing they do to coyotes. They just don't want any other canine in their areas.

It's territorial things, same thing they do to coyotes. They just don't want any other canine in their areas.

Yeah, that's crazy. I've seen a lot of really really sad posts where folks have had their dogs chewed up or killed and eaten, and it's devastating. Say you have, you know, you spent years building your your dog pack up and you know, lots of training you know, hour, thousands of hours of training to have them, you know, eaten by a wolf. That's that's pretty harsh. It's pretty rough. Yeah.

Yeah, that's crazy. I've seen a lot of really really sad posts where folks have had their dogs chewed up or killed and eaten, and it's devastating. Say you have, you know, you spent years building your your dog pack up and you know, lots of training you know, hour, thousands of hours of training to have them, you know, eaten by a wolf. That's that's pretty harsh. It's pretty rough. Yeah.

Yeah, they're pretty much family when you raise from pups. And we're just like Brad, we raise all our own dogs from pups, you know, most of our own bloodlines.

Yeah, they're pretty much family when you raise from pups. And we're just like Brad, we raise all our own dogs from pups, you know, most of our own bloodlines.

Yeah. So with all your all your irons in the fire. So your you're working, you're guiding, you're hunting. You like to hunt yourself, Yeah, yeah, you shed you shed hunt. I see you are always doing some honey dues, home improvements and and and then hanging out with your little buddy, your son. And how do you how do you balance your work with your play and then your family time. How do you make balance that all out? Man?

Yeah. So with all your all your irons in the fire. So your you're working, you're guiding, you're hunting. You like to hunt yourself, Yeah, yeah, you shed you shed hunt. I see you are always doing some honey dues, home improvements and and and then hanging out with your little buddy, your son. And how do you how do you balance your work with your play and then your family time. How do you make balance that all out? Man?

It's definitely tough. I know when I was young, my dad was gone all the time in the woods, and I said to myself that I didn't want to be that way. I didn't want to miss every little league game and every basketball game. So I think a lot of it's having the right employees, hiring the right people so you don't have to micromanage all the time, and babysit.

It's definitely tough. I know when I was young, my dad was gone all the time in the woods, and I said to myself that I didn't want to be that way. I didn't want to miss every little league game and every basketball game. So I think a lot of it's having the right employees, hiring the right people so you don't have to micromanage all the time, and babysit.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I do love taking my three year old shed hunting. He loves every day, he says, go horn hunting today. Every day he wakes up, that's all he wants to do is shed hunts.

I do love taking my three year old shed hunting. He loves every day, he says, go horn hunting today. Every day he wakes up, that's all he wants to do is shed hunts.

So yeah, so your your outfitting business? What's it called?

So yeah, so your your outfitting business? What's it called?

Russell Pond and b bar C Outfitters. We actually have two different names. The Russell Pond name started thirty eight years ago. In about nineteen eighty six. My dad bought a bear hunting business in Maine and we just did bear hunts, moose hunts, and whitetail hunts, and that's where it all started. And then he wanted to stay going full time and the only way to do that was to move out west and have spring bear hunting also.

Russell Pond and b bar C Outfitters. We actually have two different names. The Russell Pond name started thirty eight years ago. In about nineteen eighty six. My dad bought a bear hunting business in Maine and we just did bear hunts, moose hunts, and whitetail hunts, and that's where it all started. And then he wanted to stay going full time and the only way to do that was to move out west and have spring bear hunting also.

Okay, but nowadays got you guys, are you know branched out to you know, kats and elk and do you guys outfit for deer as well? Not?

Okay, but nowadays got you guys, are you know branched out to you know, kats and elk and do you guys outfit for deer as well? Not?

You know, mainly by choice. I just choose not to. We let our elk hunters buy deer tags and they can shoot them if they want to, but we don't do strictly deer hunts just because of that reason. We're just I loved whitetail hunting myself. I go down to Oklahoma, Kansas the months of November, So I like to, you know, get a little bit of time off myself.

You know, mainly by choice. I just choose not to. We let our elk hunters buy deer tags and they can shoot them if they want to, but we don't do strictly deer hunts just because of that reason. We're just I loved whitetail hunting myself. I go down to Oklahoma, Kansas the months of November, So I like to, you know, get a little bit of time off myself.

Sure, I can relate, and I can imagine it's kind of nice to you know that that's one kind of thing that's kind of kept me out of guiding as a young fellow, you know, a young buck. I was like, man, I should get into guiding it, but then I won't build a hunt as much, and then I just never kind of pursued it. But did you always kind of know that you'd wanted to be a guide or yeah, part of the fire business.

Sure, I can relate, and I can imagine it's kind of nice to you know that that's one kind of thing that's kind of kept me out of guiding as a young fellow, you know, a young buck. I was like, man, I should get into guiding it, but then I won't build a hunt as much, and then I just never kind of pursued it. But did you always kind of know that you'd wanted to be a guide or yeah, part of the fire business.

Yeah, honestly, I think even in elementary school, when you know, kids were asking what you want to be when you grew up, or the teachers that ask you, I think I wanted to be a hunt guid in my whole life. I think that was just what I wanted to do. I've been skinning bears since I was probably six seven years old.

Yeah, honestly, I think even in elementary school, when you know, kids were asking what you want to be when you grew up, or the teachers that ask you, I think I wanted to be a hunt guid in my whole life. I think that was just what I wanted to do. I've been skinning bears since I was probably six seven years old.

Man, man, So how many bear baits do you guys typically run a year.

Man, man, So how many bear baits do you guys typically run a year.

I'm run about seventy five now between two areas, and I don't use them all. I always have plenty of extra baits. A couple of years ago, I killed thirty three off of just the less and baits. So that's how good the baits are.

I'm run about seventy five now between two areas, and I don't use them all. I always have plenty of extra baits. A couple of years ago, I killed thirty three off of just the less and baits. So that's how good the baits are.

Wow. Wow. So if I were to say, you know, well, you see, I hear this all the time, special with dogs and wan baits, like that's the lazy man's way. Yeah, what do you got to say about that?

Wow. Wow. So if I were to say, you know, well, you see, I hear this all the time, special with dogs and wan baits, like that's the lazy man's way. Yeah, what do you got to say about that?

No, Northern Idaho we pack eighty pounds all day long, every day from you know, daylight till dark. And I do think it's a little different than Canada or main They got a little easier than we do. Everything's work and Idaho.

No, Northern Idaho we pack eighty pounds all day long, every day from you know, daylight till dark. And I do think it's a little different than Canada or main They got a little easier than we do. Everything's work and Idaho.

Yeah, it's funny, like that's kind of I don't. I don't really bear bait at all, just because it's so much work and time. It's kind of a time suck, right, I mean, you have to like make sure you got bait on bait on your baits, food on your baits, and if you don't have enough time to dedicate, then it seems like them things kind of you know, they'll go they'll go dry on you, to go south on you. So yeah, I just don't. I haven't had a lot of time to do that. And you know, and then collecting of bait, that's that's a lot of work too. Like, what do you guys put on your baits?

Yeah, it's funny, like that's kind of I don't. I don't really bear bait at all, just because it's so much work and time. It's kind of a time suck, right, I mean, you have to like make sure you got bait on bait on your baits, food on your baits, and if you don't have enough time to dedicate, then it seems like them things kind of you know, they'll go they'll go dry on you, to go south on you. So yeah, I just don't. I haven't had a lot of time to do that. And you know, and then collecting of bait, that's that's a lot of work too. Like, what do you guys put on your baits?

So everything we do now we get it all out of semi loads from Wisconsin, and we've done that for twenty years probably, But I mean a seven semi load with shipping and everything, it's about twelve grand. So that's a lot of money too. I got about two hundred and eighty barrels being delivered the first week of April, and that two hundred and eighty barrels will only last this year and this you know, this spring in this fall.

So everything we do now we get it all out of semi loads from Wisconsin, and we've done that for twenty years probably, But I mean a seven semi load with shipping and everything, it's about twelve grand. So that's a lot of money too. I got about two hundred and eighty barrels being delivered the first week of April, and that two hundred and eighty barrels will only last this year and this you know, this spring in this fall.

Okay, So what kind of food is in there?

Okay, So what kind of food is in there?

Oh? I'm sorry? Yeah, cookies, cookies, and a lot of like mixed they'll mix chocolate, popcorn, ganola, gummy bears, all kinds of stuff. They put in a big cement mixer and mix it together. So we get barrels of that. So the bears we keep them fed well and they don't get sick of the bait as much as just using like dog food and grease.

Oh? I'm sorry? Yeah, cookies, cookies, and a lot of like mixed they'll mix chocolate, popcorn, ganola, gummy bears, all kinds of stuff. They put in a big cement mixer and mix it together. So we get barrels of that. So the bears we keep them fed well and they don't get sick of the bait as much as just using like dog food and grease.

Sure. Sure, how do you pack that? Do you guys put it in like a big burlap sack or what do you know?

Sure. Sure, how do you pack that? Do you guys put it in like a big burlap sack or what do you know?

So since I was a little kid, the way we've always carried it's been five gallon buckets, and it's probably not the smartest to do on your shoulders and elbows, but that's the way we're done. We brought up, we're brought up into it, and that's the way we still do it now. A lot of times, if it's a really good bait with big bears on it, I will pack two buckets in my hand, and I'll put fifty pounds on a frame. I'll pack for him too. So but yeah, you're just trying to keep him fed the best you can do. You.

So since I was a little kid, the way we've always carried it's been five gallon buckets, and it's probably not the smartest to do on your shoulders and elbows, but that's the way we're done. We brought up, we're brought up into it, and that's the way we still do it now. A lot of times, if it's a really good bait with big bears on it, I will pack two buckets in my hand, and I'll put fifty pounds on a frame. I'll pack for him too. So but yeah, you're just trying to keep him fed the best you can do. You.

Okay, there's a lot of guys that say you got to keep your bears hungry or no, you put it but as much bait on that pile as you can and and and that'll get them. Which do you subscribe to?

Okay, there's a lot of guys that say you got to keep your bears hungry or no, you put it but as much bait on that pile as you can and and and that'll get them. Which do you subscribe to?

One hundred percent? Feed them as much as you possibly can. And the more these guys with the barrels with the little tiny holes in it, and they got to roll it around and all they get is a little piece of popcorn. Big bears don't want to stay there and fool with that for very long. You're gonna get a lot of little ones that just live there. And that's what you're gonna see a lot of. But a big bear will come, eat a couple bites and then they're going to walk to somebody's bait that's much easier to eat out of you. That's and that's my opinion. But I mean we do. We kill a lot lot of big bears by just feeding them as much as possible.

One hundred percent? Feed them as much as you possibly can. And the more these guys with the barrels with the little tiny holes in it, and they got to roll it around and all they get is a little piece of popcorn. Big bears don't want to stay there and fool with that for very long. You're gonna get a lot of little ones that just live there. And that's what you're gonna see a lot of. But a big bear will come, eat a couple bites and then they're going to walk to somebody's bait that's much easier to eat out of you. That's and that's my opinion. But I mean we do. We kill a lot lot of big bears by just feeding them as much as possible.

Yeah. I've seen pictures of guys who who subscribe to the put a ton of bait out. You know, they'll put hundreds of pounds out and big barrell come and they'll just lay on it and just they hang out and defend it. And those guys are always the ones killing the really nice bears too.

Yeah. I've seen pictures of guys who who subscribe to the put a ton of bait out. You know, they'll put hundreds of pounds out and big barrell come and they'll just lay on it and just they hang out and defend it. And those guys are always the ones killing the really nice bears too.

Yeah, and that's one of the reasons I kind of I kind of stay away from barrels because I think big bears don't like to fight for food. So one thing, like when we put our baits out, say April fifteenth, we'll go with three guys. We'll have five hundred pounds of bait before the first bear even hits it. So those bears just come and live there. They they eat on that till it's almost gone, and then you know, then we're kind of trying to keep up with them after that because obviously when their digestive plug is still in. They don't eat nearly as much as they will a couple weeks into the sea, So we'll have five six hu pounds there to get them started. They'll just kind of live there. And that's what makes them so patternable, you know, and you know consistent.

Yeah, and that's one of the reasons I kind of I kind of stay away from barrels because I think big bears don't like to fight for food. So one thing, like when we put our baits out, say April fifteenth, we'll go with three guys. We'll have five hundred pounds of bait before the first bear even hits it. So those bears just come and live there. They they eat on that till it's almost gone, and then you know, then we're kind of trying to keep up with them after that because obviously when their digestive plug is still in. They don't eat nearly as much as they will a couple weeks into the sea, So we'll have five six hu pounds there to get them started. They'll just kind of live there. And that's what makes them so patternable, you know, and you know consistent.

Yeah, well, they're they're smart. They probably remember year to year the like like, Okay, it's springtime, I'm gonna go over there, and there's that guy that just puts out yummy food for us to eat.

Yeah, well, they're they're smart. They probably remember year to year the like like, Okay, it's springtime, I'm gonna go over there, and there's that guy that just puts out yummy food for us to eat.

Yeah, well that's the other thing too. And you're always covering trees with grease and stuff. They know it's there. A lot of times when we're walking in the snow, the bear tracks already there in the snow.

Yeah, well that's the other thing too. And you're always covering trees with grease and stuff. They know it's there. A lot of times when we're walking in the snow, the bear tracks already there in the snow.

Oh yeah, yeah. Do you guys hunt out a stands over bad or do you guys?

Oh yeah, yeah. Do you guys hunt out a stands over bad or do you guys?

I have exactly fifty to fifty. I do tree stands for the bow guys and ground blinds for the gun guys. And I mean we can do bow ground blinds, but most of the time we try to put them in a tree stand.

I have exactly fifty to fifty. I do tree stands for the bow guys and ground blinds for the gun guys. And I mean we can do bow ground blinds, but most of the time we try to put them in a tree stand.

Okay, do you think it's better for evening hunts or morning hunts?

Okay, do you think it's better for evening hunts or morning hunts?

For bad Always we only do evening hunts. Our thermals blow uphill during the day. You know, in the morning, as soon as that sun comes up, the wind starts blowing up the hill and that just gives away all the trees, stands and blinds. We put out all our people from one to two pm and then they sit till dark. That's the best way to do it.

For bad Always we only do evening hunts. Our thermals blow uphill during the day. You know, in the morning, as soon as that sun comes up, the wind starts blowing up the hill and that just gives away all the trees, stands and blinds. We put out all our people from one to two pm and then they sit till dark. That's the best way to do it.

Do you try to put your your baits and stands lower though than and the like draws, so you're taking advantage of those downhill terminals.

Do you try to put your your baits and stands lower though than and the like draws, so you're taking advantage of those downhill terminals.

It's not always that it's the only place you can get early spring like snow. Wise, so a lot of our baits are in the bottom anyway, just because it's the only place you're not stomping in three four feet of snow at it, you know, when you put them out. April fifteen, Okay, do you guys.

It's not always that it's the only place you can get early spring like snow. Wise, so a lot of our baits are in the bottom anyway, just because it's the only place you're not stomping in three four feet of snow at it, you know, when you put them out. April fifteen, Okay, do you guys.

Do like a bear, like a grease burn, or like a burn a bunch of like marshmallows and bare crafts. Just do your shit on the ground.

Do like a bear, like a grease burn, or like a burn a bunch of like marshmallows and bare crafts. Just do your shit on the ground.

We've tried everything, so everything I use. Now my baits are established for probably twenty five years now. They're all big pits in the ground. They're three four foot holes and huge logs on them. You know, every We're trying to keep the elk in the deer out the best we can. So everything we got is huge chainsawed logs on them, and the bears will just come in and fling them. Kind of keeps the mule, deer and the elk out of it. The ravens too.

We've tried everything, so everything I use. Now my baits are established for probably twenty five years now. They're all big pits in the ground. They're three four foot holes and huge logs on them. You know, every We're trying to keep the elk in the deer out the best we can. So everything we got is huge chainsawed logs on them, and the bears will just come in and fling them. Kind of keeps the mule, deer and the elk out of it. The ravens too.

Okay, Yeah, do you ever have any wolves on your bait?

Okay, Yeah, do you ever have any wolves on your bait?

Oh? Yeah, not so much in you know, the you know, Panhandle, but over in the Lolo we get collared ones on camera a lot.

Oh? Yeah, not so much in you know, the you know, Panhandle, but over in the Lolo we get collared ones on camera a lot.

Wow. You ever see any grizzlies? Do you guys ever have grizzlies in that country?

Wow. You ever see any grizzlies? Do you guys ever have grizzlies in that country?

No? I don't know how. You know how many cameras we've had out and they passed through, But no, we have not. If I did have a grizzly around, I would shut the bait down instantly, just not the chance it, but I have it. I had one real bad black bear a couple of years ago that was digging everything, and we would have swore it was a grizzly, And finally I slapped a camera up there and it was just a big old, twenty one year old bore and we ended up killing him.

No? I don't know how. You know how many cameras we've had out and they passed through, But no, we have not. If I did have a grizzly around, I would shut the bait down instantly, just not the chance it, but I have it. I had one real bad black bear a couple of years ago that was digging everything, and we would have swore it was a grizzly, And finally I slapped a camera up there and it was just a big old, twenty one year old bore and we ended up killing him.

Wow. Wow, that's crazy. How how old bears live like you know, twenty one years like, yeah, so.

Wow. Wow, that's crazy. How how old bears live like you know, twenty one years like, yeah, so.

The old the oldest that I one of my clients has got back to me with their tag slip on was twenty three. You know, I'm sure they get a little older than that, but at twenty three years old, that bear had no okay, nine is left and all his teeth are rounded out.

The old the oldest that I one of my clients has got back to me with their tag slip on was twenty three. You know, I'm sure they get a little older than that, but at twenty three years old, that bear had no okay, nine is left and all his teeth are rounded out.

Okay, And do they do They kind of like plateau and then go down hill and regress as they get that old, you.

Okay, And do they do They kind of like plateau and then go down hill and regress as they get that old, you.

Know, yeah, but you know it's kind of like you just kind of see the muscle on their skulls kind of diminish a little bit. They'll still have a big head, but they won't have nearly as much muscle around where the crease of their head would be. But yeah, that's that's really all I've noticed. Yeah, I don't. I guess it's hard to let them get to twenty one when you're killing them all at six seven and eight, right, right?

Know, yeah, but you know it's kind of like you just kind of see the muscle on their skulls kind of diminish a little bit. They'll still have a big head, but they won't have nearly as much muscle around where the crease of their head would be. But yeah, that's that's really all I've noticed. Yeah, I don't. I guess it's hard to let them get to twenty one when you're killing them all at six seven and eight, right, right?

You know, what's an average size bear? There's people that throw around big numbers and what's an average size.

You know, what's an average size bear? There's people that throw around big numbers and what's an average size.

But we tell everyone one fifty. You know, that's an average bear in any state. I think obviously ours hibernate for six months a year, so they take a lot longer to grow. But we killed a three hundred and thirty pound chocolate several years ago, and fishing game aged at six years old, which is that's not real old to be three hundred and thirty pounds. Yeah, so I guess some can grow faster. No, there's even where we are.

But we tell everyone one fifty. You know, that's an average bear in any state. I think obviously ours hibernate for six months a year, so they take a lot longer to grow. But we killed a three hundred and thirty pound chocolate several years ago, and fishing game aged at six years old, which is that's not real old to be three hundred and thirty pounds. Yeah, so I guess some can grow faster. No, there's even where we are.

Well, you look at people. You know, there's one dude that's six seven and one dude that's five seven, And you know, one guy's three hundred pounds, that next guy is one hundred and twenty five. So I think you know.

Well, you look at people. You know, there's one dude that's six seven and one dude that's five seven, And you know, one guy's three hundred pounds, that next guy is one hundred and twenty five. So I think you know.

Diversity, right, Yeah, I think they're a lot like people. There. There's a lot that just don't ever get big.

Diversity, right, Yeah, I think they're a lot like people. There. There's a lot that just don't ever get big.

Yeah. Yeah. Well, hey, this week's pendled and Whiskey Question and answer. Before we get too much further, I want to ask you this. I want you to put these in order from your very favorite at the top of the list, and then down the line and we'll see how it kind of shakes out. So there is no order. This is just random cat hunting, bear hunting, elk cutting, deer hunting, and shed hunting. What's your favorite and then two, three, four, five.

Yeah. Yeah. Well, hey, this week's pendled and Whiskey Question and answer. Before we get too much further, I want to ask you this. I want you to put these in order from your very favorite at the top of the list, and then down the line and we'll see how it kind of shakes out. So there is no order. This is just random cat hunting, bear hunting, elk cutting, deer hunting, and shed hunting. What's your favorite and then two, three, four, five.

Six, All right, I'm gonna go with obviously archer l cunting first, then I'm gonna have to go with white tail hunting. Then I'll probably have to go cat hunting, shed hunting, bear hunting. Okay, but the cat hunting and shed hunting was tough because I grew up as a houndsman, and I love my hounds more than anything, and I hate to shy away from them. But antlers, an elk and deer. Really, since I was turned about eighteen years old, I really got into that.

Six, All right, I'm gonna go with obviously archer l cunting first, then I'm gonna have to go with white tail hunting. Then I'll probably have to go cat hunting, shed hunting, bear hunting. Okay, but the cat hunting and shed hunting was tough because I grew up as a houndsman, and I love my hounds more than anything, and I hate to shy away from them. But antlers, an elk and deer. Really, since I was turned about eighteen years old, I really got into that.

How do you find time to go hunting? Do you like just block out a week to go elk high to yourself?

How do you find time to go hunting? Do you like just block out a week to go elk high to yourself?

Yeah, so September for archery elk, I take the first two weeks, which are probably the slower two weeks. I hunt from August thirtieth til whatever it falls on the fourteenth, and then that guy the fifteenth and the twenty second.

Yeah, so September for archery elk, I take the first two weeks, which are probably the slower two weeks. I hunt from August thirtieth til whatever it falls on the fourteenth, and then that guy the fifteenth and the twenty second.

Usually yeah, yeah, you've done pretty good on that early season. Do you find like sometimes you get some decent bulls reacting to calls?

Usually yeah, yeah, you've done pretty good on that early season. Do you find like sometimes you get some decent bulls reacting to calls?

Yeah? Man, I spend from about fourth of July till September scouting, so I really have an upper hand of knowing. I usually have the elk out I want to shoot before I even start. Last year was probably the first tag eight and fifteen years. Yeah, it's eating away at me, but no, I've done really well with that early season. Usually by September fourth, I have an opportunity at a good herd bowl.

Yeah? Man, I spend from about fourth of July till September scouting, so I really have an upper hand of knowing. I usually have the elk out I want to shoot before I even start. Last year was probably the first tag eight and fifteen years. Yeah, it's eating away at me, but no, I've done really well with that early season. Usually by September fourth, I have an opportunity at a good herd bowl.

Yeah. How many cams do you run on ELK?

Yeah. How many cams do you run on ELK?

I think I got about I think I had fifteen out last year, about fifteen, and I'm running reconises and bare boxes now, so I get a lot of picks before having to change the batteries. As long as bears don't hit them, my cameras will take almost all winter long.

I think I got about I think I had fifteen out last year, about fifteen, and I'm running reconises and bare boxes now, so I get a lot of picks before having to change the batteries. As long as bears don't hit them, my cameras will take almost all winter long.

Oh yeah, what kind of batteries are you using?

Oh yeah, what kind of batteries are you using?

Lithium energizers?

Lithium energizers?

Okay? And then what size SD cards are.

Okay? And then what size SD cards are.

You Yeah, I'm putting thirty twos or sixty fours and everything now. Yeah, thirty twos used to fill up before the batteries would die with the other cameras, but now I think I can run sixty fours. Those are conics. They take ten batteries and they last forever.

You Yeah, I'm putting thirty twos or sixty fours and everything now. Yeah, thirty twos used to fill up before the batteries would die with the other cameras, but now I think I can run sixty fours. Those are conics. They take ten batteries and they last forever.

Okay. Yeah, I know some of my older cameras that you couldn't put nothing, But you know the biggest you could put in as a thirty two. Yeah, exactly hard, which is frustrating sometimes sure, yeah, I had to play with like settings like Okay, how often can I this does this thing need to take a picture? You know, instead of every you know, ten seconds, you know, every three minutes or whatever, which kind of sucks, especially like during September, because you get a bulk that just chases through the area real quick on a cow and you made that may have been your only chance to get a shot of him, you know, it's they're so quick on the draw.

Okay. Yeah, I know some of my older cameras that you couldn't put nothing, But you know the biggest you could put in as a thirty two. Yeah, exactly hard, which is frustrating sometimes sure, yeah, I had to play with like settings like Okay, how often can I this does this thing need to take a picture? You know, instead of every you know, ten seconds, you know, every three minutes or whatever, which kind of sucks, especially like during September, because you get a bulk that just chases through the area real quick on a cow and you made that may have been your only chance to get a shot of him, you know, it's they're so quick on the draw.

Sometimes, yeah, one hundred percent. You got to look through every pick, and you can't just look through the thumbnails. You got to look at the background because you miss a lot of those. Especially I keep everything on one minute delay, but usually in September, if I'm going through the area, I will change them to ten or thirty seconds, just through the rut, you know.

Sometimes, yeah, one hundred percent. You got to look through every pick, and you can't just look through the thumbnails. You got to look at the background because you miss a lot of those. Especially I keep everything on one minute delay, but usually in September, if I'm going through the area, I will change them to ten or thirty seconds, just through the rut, you know.

Yeah, I've a lot of times I'll like to put one camera on the main main spot where I want him to focus, and then like the trail leading to it, I'll put one on video mode or something, and man, it seems like I'll pick some I'll pick bulls up that I never got on the other camera, and vice versa, like you'll never see them on video. But but then sometimes you'll see one on video you never saw on the other camera, so it's kind of cool.

Yeah, I've a lot of times I'll like to put one camera on the main main spot where I want him to focus, and then like the trail leading to it, I'll put one on video mode or something, and man, it seems like I'll pick some I'll pick bulls up that I never got on the other camera, and vice versa, like you'll never see them on video. But but then sometimes you'll see one on video you never saw on the other camera, so it's kind of cool.

Yeah, I agree with that completely.

Yeah, I agree with that completely.

So back to shed hunting. I'm seeing you out with your dogs. You got labs, you're hunting sheds with?

So back to shed hunting. I'm seeing you out with your dogs. You got labs, you're hunting sheds with?

Yep? I have two males and a female.

Yep? I have two males and a female.

Okay, what kind of dogs you run?

Okay, what kind of dogs you run?

For?

For?

Cats? Walker?

Cats? Walker?

Hounds? Mostly? I've got a couple of plots, but walkers are my dogs of choice.

Hounds? Mostly? I've got a couple of plots, but walkers are my dogs of choice.

Okay, So male or female lab? Which which do you see like one like better than the other? Or do you prefer like a male dog to a female dog?

Okay, So male or female lab? Which which do you see like one like better than the other? Or do you prefer like a male dog to a female dog?

Man, I prefer males. I know they're a pain with sniffing, you know, and pain on everything, but I don't. I like my males, and I'm the same way with hounds though. I just like my male dogs better. But yeah, my both my lab I have two black male labs and a yellow female, and both those males are they put the female to shame, and she looks good and she finds sheds and everything. I just feel like she doesn't use her nose as much as they do.

Man, I prefer males. I know they're a pain with sniffing, you know, and pain on everything, but I don't. I like my males, and I'm the same way with hounds though. I just like my male dogs better. But yeah, my both my lab I have two black male labs and a yellow female, and both those males are they put the female to shame, and she looks good and she finds sheds and everything. I just feel like she doesn't use her nose as much as they do.

Right, do you think? So she's more of a sight so she's looking for sheds with her eyes and the boys are sniffing more.

Right, do you think? So she's more of a sight so she's looking for sheds with her eyes and the boys are sniffing more.

Yep, you can tell. You can watch her shed hut with her eyes. And one thing you can one reason you can tell is when they're using their nose, they're moving a lot slower. When they're just running with their eyes, they run full speed, and she's full speed everywhere.

Yep, you can tell. You can watch her shed hut with her eyes. And one thing you can one reason you can tell is when they're using their nose, they're moving a lot slower. When they're just running with their eyes, they run full speed, and she's full speed everywhere.

Oh yeah, So did you train your dogs or did you like half and half or would.

Oh yeah, So did you train your dogs or did you like half and half or would.

You so my very first one I bought, my first two, my male and my female I bought started at four months old. So basically they know the command search, they like to chew on horns, but they're not really finished, you know. So I got them both out of Antler Dogs and Missouri from Roger c. And the guy's a heck of a dog trainer, and uh yeah, I just bought two started ones that way and I finished them up. And then this last one I did it. I trained him moment.

You so my very first one I bought, my first two, my male and my female I bought started at four months old. So basically they know the command search, they like to chew on horns, but they're not really finished, you know. So I got them both out of Antler Dogs and Missouri from Roger c. And the guy's a heck of a dog trainer, and uh yeah, I just bought two started ones that way and I finished them up. And then this last one I did it. I trained him moment.

So so I've seen guys train dogs before, and sometimes they'll do like they take like I don't know, a big piece of like plastic or like construction paper, and they'll cut out like a huge antler shape, and then they'll put an antler by it and then let their dogs go of like seat they like to catch their attention, and then you know, the antler will have you know, the I guess there's this stuff you can look almost like in a persprint, Like it's like a wax, like a antler base wax. They smear on the the butd of the antler or the base of the antler, and then once the dog's key into like seeing like oh, there's an antler shaped thing over there, then they take that away and then they just the dogs find the antlers and then they start hiding them, like I don't know, like I feel like that would encourage like site searching by by looking for those kind of things.

So so I've seen guys train dogs before, and sometimes they'll do like they take like I don't know, a big piece of like plastic or like construction paper, and they'll cut out like a huge antler shape, and then they'll put an antler by it and then let their dogs go of like seat they like to catch their attention, and then you know, the antler will have you know, the I guess there's this stuff you can look almost like in a persprint, Like it's like a wax, like a antler base wax. They smear on the the butd of the antler or the base of the antler, and then once the dog's key into like seeing like oh, there's an antler shaped thing over there, then they take that away and then they just the dogs find the antlers and then they start hiding them, like I don't know, like I feel like that would encourage like site searching by by looking for those kind of things.

Don't Yeah, I agree with that one hundred percent. That's what I was going to say. So, like mine were actually training the search command on like just little kernels of dog food. So it's getting them to use their nose. Like when so when you go get a dog from Roger and Missouri takes you in his little classroom and he teaches you how they you know, teach him to use their nose, and they teach bomb dogs and you know, you know, drug dogs the same way. They teach them the search command. And then they change whatever they're searching for. So, like my guy used it pieces as a dog food and it gets them using their nose and you know, climbing around and have to find it. And then you know, it's reward mineor all reward based training. So when they do good, you give them a tree to pet them up, you know, and you know they're you can't really be that hard on them, they're you know, it's just it's better to give them a reward than it is to yell at him when they're doing something wrong, you know what I mean. And I think a lot of mine where my first dog was trained in cut corn fields where you have the cornstock stick up everywhere, so they had to use their nose because everything looks like an antler. So I think that's a better way to train them than yeah, like you just said, kind of leaning towards using their eyes more. If they're in a you know, a cut cornstock field where everything looks like an antler, they have to use their nose.

Don't Yeah, I agree with that one hundred percent. That's what I was going to say. So, like mine were actually training the search command on like just little kernels of dog food. So it's getting them to use their nose. Like when so when you go get a dog from Roger and Missouri takes you in his little classroom and he teaches you how they you know, teach him to use their nose, and they teach bomb dogs and you know, you know, drug dogs the same way. They teach them the search command. And then they change whatever they're searching for. So, like my guy used it pieces as a dog food and it gets them using their nose and you know, climbing around and have to find it. And then you know, it's reward mineor all reward based training. So when they do good, you give them a tree to pet them up, you know, and you know they're you can't really be that hard on them, they're you know, it's just it's better to give them a reward than it is to yell at him when they're doing something wrong, you know what I mean. And I think a lot of mine where my first dog was trained in cut corn fields where you have the cornstock stick up everywhere, so they had to use their nose because everything looks like an antler. So I think that's a better way to train them than yeah, like you just said, kind of leaning towards using their eyes more. If they're in a you know, a cut cornstock field where everything looks like an antler, they have to use their nose.

Yeah. Do you have any other experience with other breeds of dogs and you have any buddies or anybody that uses like let's say, a blue healer or no or something.

Yeah. Do you have any other experience with other breeds of dogs and you have any buddies or anybody that uses like let's say, a blue healer or no or something.

I don't. But the guy I bought mine from him, he did. He had I think it was a bulldog or a pit bull train and another different breed. And that's the same guy I got my first lab from, and no I haven't. I think one thing that labs obviously love to retrieve. Obviously they're easy to train. I think that's two of the reasons it's good for him. They may not have the best nose, but they definitely have, you know, a good nose for hunting. The hard part about labs is antlers are boring. You know, a ball bounces, a bird, flies, deer run. The hard part is keeping them interested in a horn and not letting them go out in the woods and flush grouse, chase ducks, run deer.

I don't. But the guy I bought mine from him, he did. He had I think it was a bulldog or a pit bull train and another different breed. And that's the same guy I got my first lab from, and no I haven't. I think one thing that labs obviously love to retrieve. Obviously they're easy to train. I think that's two of the reasons it's good for him. They may not have the best nose, but they definitely have, you know, a good nose for hunting. The hard part about labs is antlers are boring. You know, a ball bounces, a bird, flies, deer run. The hard part is keeping them interested in a horn and not letting them go out in the woods and flush grouse, chase ducks, run deer.

You know.

You know.

I think that's the hard part, is keeping them more interested in a horn. So when they bring me one, you know as a young dog, you know, you give them a treat, pet them up, let them know they did good, and then you know, throw it out there and make them fetch it a few more times, and just keep them interested in the horn like the horn does something, rather than just sit there. You know. I think that's the best way to explain it balls bounce, you know, Like I said, birds fly, everything's more exciting than an antler. Naturally, they like to chew on them because they smell more like a bone, you know, and they like the way it feels on their teeth. But to actually go find them, you have to keep them, you know. Interested.

I think that's the hard part, is keeping them more interested in a horn. So when they bring me one, you know as a young dog, you know, you give them a treat, pet them up, let them know they did good, and then you know, throw it out there and make them fetch it a few more times, and just keep them interested in the horn like the horn does something, rather than just sit there. You know. I think that's the best way to explain it balls bounce, you know, Like I said, birds fly, everything's more exciting than an antler. Naturally, they like to chew on them because they smell more like a bone, you know, and they like the way it feels on their teeth. But to actually go find them, you have to keep them, you know. Interested.

Yeah. I worked with my old lab that had passed away here a couple of years ago. I worked with him a lot when he was a pup to try to get him to do sheds, and I didn't give him any toys other than a shed antler, like from the time we got him, and he loved antlers, and he would fetch him and stuff like when we'd go shed hunting, then I don't know, maybe we're in the wrong spot probably where we probably get already got picked over. But every now and then he'd find one. But sometimes we would go camping, we'd just be sitting around the fire and then here he'd come and he'd had a shed. He'd just go grab one from somewhere bringing into camp.

Yeah. I worked with my old lab that had passed away here a couple of years ago. I worked with him a lot when he was a pup to try to get him to do sheds, and I didn't give him any toys other than a shed antler, like from the time we got him, and he loved antlers, and he would fetch him and stuff like when we'd go shed hunting, then I don't know, maybe we're in the wrong spot probably where we probably get already got picked over. But every now and then he'd find one. But sometimes we would go camping, we'd just be sitting around the fire and then here he'd come and he'd had a shed. He'd just go grab one from somewhere bringing into camp.

So yeah, I feel like I love that up at camp when they just bring you on you don't know existed.

So yeah, I feel like I love that up at camp when they just bring you on you don't know existed.

Yeah, yeah, like, and sometimes it's just like an old you know, chalk, like, hey, wow, good, fine, where did you find that thing? So I feel like, you know, they they're driven to do it, you know. And I let all my dogs play with play with sheds, and they really prefer those to chew on those. Then a lot of other things and even bones, like giving an old alko boone or something. They'll chew the crap out of that thing for a while, but eventually it's they always go back to that shed antler mm hmm.

Yeah, yeah, like, and sometimes it's just like an old you know, chalk, like, hey, wow, good, fine, where did you find that thing? So I feel like, you know, they they're driven to do it, you know. And I let all my dogs play with play with sheds, and they really prefer those to chew on those. Then a lot of other things and even bones, like giving an old alko boone or something. They'll chew the crap out of that thing for a while, but eventually it's they always go back to that shed antler mm hmm.

Yeah. I think that they. I don't know what it is that draws them to It's got to be the scent and the smell. One thing that people have the miss conception of. I think they think that it's a lot easier for a dog to find a fresh one because they're trying to smell the actual deer scent on the button of the horn, or the blood or the wax ring on it. And I don't think, you know, that's not always true. I'm sure that that horn, when it freshly falls off, has that deer sent there and puts off more scent than a horn that has been out there a week and washed off. But like old horns, like you were saying, the chalky, the green, the ones that start to stink, those are the ones the dog's really fine. Like, my dog doesn't miss an old horn though we're on three four hundred yards, because they can smell it from that far away and they'll bring it back to you.

Yeah. I think that they. I don't know what it is that draws them to It's got to be the scent and the smell. One thing that people have the miss conception of. I think they think that it's a lot easier for a dog to find a fresh one because they're trying to smell the actual deer scent on the button of the horn, or the blood or the wax ring on it. And I don't think, you know, that's not always true. I'm sure that that horn, when it freshly falls off, has that deer sent there and puts off more scent than a horn that has been out there a week and washed off. But like old horns, like you were saying, the chalky, the green, the ones that start to stink, those are the ones the dog's really fine. Like, my dog doesn't miss an old horn though we're on three four hundred yards, because they can smell it from that far away and they'll bring it back to you.

Yeah, I think. Also, I'm not a dedicated shed hunter, and probably to disservice my dogs. Like you know, it, probably could have had great shed dogs had I like took them out all the time. But it seemed like that was always a whenever I was doing this. It was a tough time with kids, sports and whatever else. You know, it's a busy time year, and I worked a job that was really busy that time year. But nowadays I have no excuse other than I just need to get out there more.

Yeah, I think. Also, I'm not a dedicated shed hunter, and probably to disservice my dogs. Like you know, it, probably could have had great shed dogs had I like took them out all the time. But it seemed like that was always a whenever I was doing this. It was a tough time with kids, sports and whatever else. You know, it's a busy time year, and I worked a job that was really busy that time year. But nowadays I have no excuse other than I just need to get out there more.

Yeah, it is one hundred percent the time you put into the dog, for sure. Even the guy that I got my first one from Roger, he told me, you know, you gotta almost take them every day. The more you use them, the more their nose works. Just like hound dogs. It's the same thing. Their nose kind of just goes dead on them if they're not being used much. Right, How I got into it originally was I'm a hunt guy obviously, and was laid off every March in February right after cat season, and I never had anyone to shed hunt with. My buddy's always at nine to five jobs, and you know, I never had anyone to go with. So that's why I bought my first one. And you know, within the first few years he got really good because that's all we did from February tomorrow. You know, the end of March was just shit hunt.

Yeah, it is one hundred percent the time you put into the dog, for sure. Even the guy that I got my first one from Roger, he told me, you know, you gotta almost take them every day. The more you use them, the more their nose works. Just like hound dogs. It's the same thing. Their nose kind of just goes dead on them if they're not being used much. Right, How I got into it originally was I'm a hunt guy obviously, and was laid off every March in February right after cat season, and I never had anyone to shed hunt with. My buddy's always at nine to five jobs, and you know, I never had anyone to go with. So that's why I bought my first one. And you know, within the first few years he got really good because that's all we did from February tomorrow. You know, the end of March was just shit hunt.

Yeah, it's pretty hard to hard to beat it. A good companion dog, you know that's in the woods. Like, man, they're such good they're just such good company, and they don't talk back, and they're just game, like you want to go over here? Heck yeah, they want to go over there. They're just like they're like the ultimate hunting buddy.

Yeah, it's pretty hard to hard to beat it. A good companion dog, you know that's in the woods. Like, man, they're such good they're just such good company, and they don't talk back, and they're just game, like you want to go over here? Heck yeah, they want to go over there. They're just like they're like the ultimate hunting buddy.

Yeah. And when they bring you the hornback, it goes in your pile, not your best friends, you know, with your best friend.

Yeah. And when they bring you the hornback, it goes in your pile, not your best friends, you know, with your best friend.

Right, you match up a set, you know, not oh.

Right, you match up a set, you know, not oh.

Man, there's no fighting over it.

Man, there's no fighting over it.

Yeah. You don't have to trade any other good ones to exactly to make the set. That's that's fun. Yeah. How many sheds do you think to your average do you say, do the dogs add to your your shed antlerge average that you guys bring home.

Yeah. You don't have to trade any other good ones to exactly to make the set. That's that's fun. Yeah. How many sheds do you think to your average do you say, do the dogs add to your your shed antlerge average that you guys bring home.

I think the best, uh you know, my best years. I think we go about fifty to fifty. It just seems like they find more older ones and I'll pick up more of the fresher ones. I don't try to take multiple dogs at a time because it seems like they just want to mess with each other, follow each other around. If I take so my old one, now he's thirteen, so he's really slowing down. My good years were you know two, I think one nine, two d and twenty horns one year two hundred and twelve. Those are the good years. I'm not finding quite that many anymore. But man, there's so much more competition now. It's in North Idaho. You got obviously competition. You got way less animals than we used to have. So it's it's really tough training a dog now. I've been. I got a couple buddies that want to get into it now, and I told them I just don't think it's the right time to train a dog in North Iido too. We get some of our deer and oak numbers back.

I think the best, uh you know, my best years. I think we go about fifty to fifty. It just seems like they find more older ones and I'll pick up more of the fresher ones. I don't try to take multiple dogs at a time because it seems like they just want to mess with each other, follow each other around. If I take so my old one, now he's thirteen, so he's really slowing down. My good years were you know two, I think one nine, two d and twenty horns one year two hundred and twelve. Those are the good years. I'm not finding quite that many anymore. But man, there's so much more competition now. It's in North Idaho. You got obviously competition. You got way less animals than we used to have. So it's it's really tough training a dog now. I've been. I got a couple buddies that want to get into it now, and I told them I just don't think it's the right time to train a dog in North Iido too. We get some of our deer and oak numbers back.

Yeah you know, yeah, good point, good point. How do you keep track of your dogs while you're hunting with them, so that the shed dogs so they don't run off and get eaten by wolves do. They stay pretty pretty close to you.

Yeah you know, yeah, good point, good point. How do you keep track of your dogs while you're hunting with them, so that the shed dogs so they don't run off and get eaten by wolves do. They stay pretty pretty close to you.

So my thirteen year old these really good. He'll range out to like four hundred yards to grab a horn. But I keep the garment the same system I'm running on my hound dogs. I run on them. And it wasn't ever because I was afraid of losing them or they go too far won't find me. It was nothing like that. It's just if they find one side of a big set, you want to see where they pick that up because a dog doesn't register, oh the other side'es there. I got to run right back to there and get that other side. You know, maybe my thirteen year old would, but I know my young dogs are just going to go looking somewhere else, you know. Sure, So you see, you can tell right on the map where they stopped at shows they sat down or stopped, and then you just go to that point and start calming. You know, you can see where they picked it up from on them. Oh yeah, so that really helps out big time. That's a game changer. When I started running satellite collars on the shed dogs.

So my thirteen year old these really good. He'll range out to like four hundred yards to grab a horn. But I keep the garment the same system I'm running on my hound dogs. I run on them. And it wasn't ever because I was afraid of losing them or they go too far won't find me. It was nothing like that. It's just if they find one side of a big set, you want to see where they pick that up because a dog doesn't register, oh the other side'es there. I got to run right back to there and get that other side. You know, maybe my thirteen year old would, but I know my young dogs are just going to go looking somewhere else, you know. Sure, So you see, you can tell right on the map where they stopped at shows they sat down or stopped, and then you just go to that point and start calming. You know, you can see where they picked it up from on them. Oh yeah, so that really helps out big time. That's a game changer. When I started running satellite collars on the shed dogs.

Oh yeah, that's that's really, really, really smart. I wondered about that, which leads to another question. How big of an elk antler can one of those dogs pack back? Let's say they got a big old six point it's heavy, heavy, horned bowl like and it's steep brushy country. How far will will those seem kind of like packing for a while and struggle or maybe abandon.

Oh yeah, that's that's really, really, really smart. I wondered about that, which leads to another question. How big of an elk antler can one of those dogs pack back? Let's say they got a big old six point it's heavy, heavy, horned bowl like and it's steep brushy country. How far will will those seem kind of like packing for a while and struggle or maybe abandon.

Them or no, My mails, they got so much drive they won't give up. If they can't get it out from underneath the blowdown or a tree, they will just stay there. And then I'll eventually I'll just stare at the collar and make sure they stay there, and I'll walk to them. But my thirteen year old, I'll grab a twelve pound thirteen pound elk corn and he will carry it as far as he can. Wow, And I mean he'll be exhausted when he gets their wagon's tail. But I try to cut to him as fast as I can when I know they're struggling, you know, just because you don't want to tire them out either, you know, and make them lose interest with fighting with a horn. But those two males, they'll carry any size horn they can get in their mouth. But my female, she'll pick up a five point carry at two feet, spit it out, just stare at me telling me to come get it. You know. She definitely doesn't carry him like they do.

Them or no, My mails, they got so much drive they won't give up. If they can't get it out from underneath the blowdown or a tree, they will just stay there. And then I'll eventually I'll just stare at the collar and make sure they stay there, and I'll walk to them. But my thirteen year old, I'll grab a twelve pound thirteen pound elk corn and he will carry it as far as he can. Wow, And I mean he'll be exhausted when he gets their wagon's tail. But I try to cut to him as fast as I can when I know they're struggling, you know, just because you don't want to tire them out either, you know, and make them lose interest with fighting with a horn. But those two males, they'll carry any size horn they can get in their mouth. But my female, she'll pick up a five point carry at two feet, spit it out, just stare at me telling me to come get it. You know. She definitely doesn't carry him like they do.

Yeah, well, that's amazing.

Yeah, well, that's amazing.

One thing that I learned too from my guy is when they go through the teething when they're real young. He told me they lose interest in horns for a couple of months when they when they're teething because it hurts their teeth, and he wasn't kidding, And after those couple of months they go right back to an antler.

One thing that I learned too from my guy is when they go through the teething when they're real young. He told me they lose interest in horns for a couple of months when they when they're teething because it hurts their teeth, and he wasn't kidding, And after those couple of months they go right back to an antler.

Really okay, yeah that makes sense. I kind of see that with my pupp that like he shied kind of well he was teething, he kind of shied away from hard stuff. But yeah, exactly starts shredding pillows and crap like y yeah, love that stuffed animals and stuff. Yeah, yeah, that that's really cool. What is your best tip if you were to like give someone a tip for training shed dogs.

Really okay, yeah that makes sense. I kind of see that with my pupp that like he shied kind of well he was teething, he kind of shied away from hard stuff. But yeah, exactly starts shredding pillows and crap like y yeah, love that stuffed animals and stuff. Yeah, yeah, that that's really cool. What is your best tip if you were to like give someone a tip for training shed dogs.

Basically, probably number one is obviously just being patient. Don't get mad at them. You know, you got to keep them into it, give them rewards, pet them up and I would use I don't know, you brought up the you know, the antler scent stuff that you can put on horns or put on stuff. I stayed clear of all that stuff. I froze fresh horns, is what I did. I wouldn't touch them with my hands. I froze fresh horns, so you get the wax ring and the flood and that stuff stays on there. And then when I threw them out in the woods to trade them, you know, I would use rubber gloves. I wouldn't walk near it. And a lot of times I would do it the day before, like in the rain, and then let it rain overnight, so I knew there was no human scent anywhere around them. And I think that helps out a lot, because you know, when you're sitting there playing fetch with a dog, obviously you got your human scent on it, and they're they're saliva, you know, they smell all that stuff. The number one thing is not have any of that kind of stuff on it. And just like it fell off the deer's head, you know, or elk's head.