"Home of REAL Treedogs"

Hello once again to all the folks that read this fine publication and take the time to read my ramblings of being Out and About among tree dogs and tree dog folks. I know that it has been quite some time since I have submitted my last column. To those of you that have asked me at the hunts and e-mailed me asking where my column was at, I sincerely appreciate it. It feels good to know that there are several folks out there each month looking forward to reading this and other fine columns in this great magazine. Where to start, where to start….as I sit hear typing this column it is warm and muggy outside with the trees packing full blown green foliage. That sure makes it hard to see the squirrels, and double hard to work our dogs, triple hard to work our pups. And for the most part I have just been drinking sweet tea, waiting for the leaves to once again hit the ground so I can move forward working a few up and comers! There is not a whole lot to do in what I like to call the “off season” so the other day I decided to stay as productive as possible and come up with a list of things to keep me busy that pertain around the sport of squirrel dogs and it went a little something like this..

1. Go out to my truck and clean it out thoroughly from all the mud packed boots throughout hunting season.
2. Bring in all my hunting clothing and organize (I like to spray water repellant my hunting chaps to hang dry as well as any boots and other items.
3. Check and change if needed all batteries from any devices (tracking systems and collars, GPS, walkie talkies, cameras so on and so fourth.
4. Spring cleaning of the old hunting guns, these are the guns that I pack day in and day out all season long. You know, the ones that lay in the storage top of you dog box and get beat and banged around? Well it’s time to break them down and give them a thorough cleaning. Also any scope that may have been bumped off could be re-sighted.
5. Go through and transfer all phone numbers and contacts from fine tree dog folks that I have met throughout the season. You know, the numbers that are jotted down on small pieces of paper, napkins, empty bank envelopes lying on your floorboard of your hunting truck. Well it’s time to put all these in the address book.
6. Make some new squirrel feeders, I like the ones made out of PVC pipe. I try to make and place a few every year during the off season.
7. Along with the feeders go squirrel nesting boxes, I have never made a squirrel nesting box but I read a study not long ago that credit squirrel nesting boxes for a 10% population increase in any woods of any given size. I guess they are more predator proof than nest?
8. Inspect all dog leads and collars; change out for new if needed. This kind of could go on a whole other list. Called the “kennel list” which would cover anything in the kennels including the dogs. Inspect dog boxes, feed pans, dogs and dog bathing, dog health, tie out leads, tie out stakes, restock your cleaning supplies, take extra time and clean and disinfect kennels better than usual, the list will go on and on.
9. Donate some time to your local club, organization that holds and promotes tree dog events. It could be some painting or fixing up the clubhouse to mowing the grounds a time or two. But every little bit helps, these clubs are truly only as good as their members and if they are having events close to your home you sure want to try and support them.
10. And last but not least. Get out and talk with landowners. Let’s face it; we all loose a hunting spot or two a season due to hunting leases, subdivisions, new roads or whatever. I try and obtain 10 new hunting spots per year and I always do this during the “off season”. The reason why I do this in the off season because during season this becomes hectic taking from hunting time. Oftentimes landowners see plenty of hunters asking permission during the season and it becomes easy for them to say no or turn us away. But in the off season they don’t seemed as pressured and a yes or two seems much easier to come by. Also, I make the rounds and talk with the landowners in which I do have permission, let them know how my season went, lend them a helping hand if needed with anything, and ask permission once again for the upcoming season.

You can see that this is just 10 small things that can keep me plenty busy waiting on season. I’m sure everyone could come up with their own list and it could be longer and vary from mine. And once I add the list that my wife has for me (the honey-do) those leaves will be on the ground in no time!!!

The phone calls from folks have still been coming in; a lot of folks like me are already getting cabin fever waiting on season to get here. I spoke with Jeff Shelly of Pennsylvania he says that his nine month old pup he calls Moxie is doing good. He says she is putting some tree with her hunt. She has made a few trees and treed a cat the other day real well. He says that he is going to put her up until the leaves come off and this upcoming season he plans to hunt the hair off her. Good luck with her Jeff, I’m sure she will make you a nice one.

I hear my good buddy Bendel Ellis (Big Ben) is doing real well after having surgery a short time back. Every time I see Ben he has a big smile on his face and is a pleasure to be around. Get well soon Ben, and get back to chasing those squirrel dogs through the woods! I hear Danny Wilkinson from Denham Springs Louisiana is also recovering nicely after his neck surgery back in May. Last I heard Danny was regaining the feeling in his arms and hands. Danny has been around this sport of tree dogs for a long time, I always enjoy talking with him and look forward to seeing him every year when I go down south hunting. Glad to hear things are on the up and up with Danny. I got an e-mail and a couple of pictures from Jonathan Davis from Sheridan Arkansas. He has a dog he has come to like real well and is making quite a name for itself called My Name is Nobody aka Trinity. I have not got the opportunity to hunt with Jonathan or Trinity yet but hopefully we can make it happen this season! I love hunting with good dogs, and from what I hear that’s exactly what Jonathan has in Trinity. I have included a picture of Jonathan and Trinity after a short squirrel hunt. Thanks for the e-mail Jonathan. I got the opportunity not long ago to hunt with Anthony Morris and his female Next level Blondie. Anthony has sure got a nice dog there and has been doing a bunch of winning with her at the hunts he attends. I will be looking for him this year for a pleasure hunt or two to see that fine dog in action once again.

I have also included a picture of Rodney Stratton and a young female that he calls Hardwood Lake Lady. This picture was taken at the end of last season here in Indiana. I was along on this particular hunt and Lady was 7 months old at the time. She did a real nice job in the short time we had her out; she is sure a fine young female. Rodney has some of the nicest young females I have ever seen, keep up the good work and keep doing what you’re doing because it works!

Well that is just about going to sum it up for this month’s column of Out and About. There are quite a few hunts that are lined up for this season and the dog power just seems to keep getting better and better as time goes by. I will be attending quite a few hunts this year and hope to be visiting quite a few folks in the meantime. If you see me at a hunt and we have never met before please introduce yourself. I love this sport and Love to talk dogs. Hopefully I will see you Out and About.

Until next time, take care of yourselves and one another and KEEP LOOKIN UP!

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