The frantic barking of the dogs drew us deeper into the hollow. We had made a pact at the start of this hunt to take it easy and not go too fast, especially uphill. After hearing the intensity of the two squirrel dogs barking, that all went out the window.
For all the world, it sounded like they were saying: "Where are you? Get here quick! We have one treed!"
I glanced over at my buddy Chris, who was breaking brush a few yards to my right. If anything, he was even more intent on getting to the dogs than me. The ancient pull of hunters to the dogs drew us onward, heedless of the rocks, brambles and angle of the hill.
"You hunt squirrels with a dog?"
"Why do you need a dog to hunt squirrels?"
"How does that work exactly?"
I have been asked these questions and much more by skeptics, scoffers and some who are simply curious. I always tell them if you have never hunted squirrels with a dog, you don't know what you are missing.
Essence of the hunt
Like any hunting dog, a squirrel dog's main job is to find game for you. Basically the hunter takes a walk in the woods and follows the dog as he runs ahead and sweeps the area to locate squirrels. Different dogs do this in different ways. Some are powerhouses and run full blast until they hit the scent of a squirrel. Some are more careful and check the area as they pass through, using their eyes and ears as well as their nose.
When the dog hits the track of a squirrel on the forest floor, usually he will trail it to a tree, and after a little checking to make sure this is where the squirrel is, the dog will settle on it and bark to alert the hunter that he has found the game.
Now some people think that this is easy and tell you that their poodle or Scottish terrier chases squirrels in the park every day. It's true almost any dog will sight chase squirrels, but think about the squirrels you have watched on a lazy afternoon on your deer stand. A squirrel runs or hops along the ground, runs the length of a fallen log, bounces three feet up on the side of tree, jumps down again and scrambles off in another direction. The squirrel dog may come along 15 minutes to an hour later and must unravel this trail. The experienced dog will carefully follow this maze, determine what tree the squirrel finally climbs and stays in, then start to bark "treed." The good dog stays at that tree and will not be distracted away from it until his hunter gets there or the world ends, whichever comes first.
When the hunter or hunters arrive at the tree, the task starts of finding the squirrel in the treetop. Large towering oaks will have dozens of places for a squirrel to hide, and it may take several minutes of intense looking to find the game (good binoculars really help). Often an ear or tuft of hair is all you will see at first; it takes a lot of experience to become a good squirrel spotter.
If more than one hunter is present, the best method is to surround the tree and get as many eyes on it as you can. Often the squirrel will move around a limb if one of the hunters moves on the ground, and he will be seen by another hunter. When the squirrel is spotted and the shot is taken, most dogs grab the squirrel on the ground (that is their reward). Many squirrel hunters allow the dog a quick taste, and then the canine must release the bushytail (no running off with the squirrel or playing tug-of-war) before being told, "OK, go find another one."
Breeds offer options
If you decide to take the plunge and join the wonderful world of squirrel doggin', your first question may be, "Well, what breed of dog do I look for?" There is no doubt that dogs from many different breeds have made good squirrel dogs, but for the most part and to help you get started right, you will want to look at the two most popular breeds for squirrel dogs: the cur and the feist.
The term cur should not be mistaken here as a derogatory name for a dog. Curs have been bred for hunting since colonial times in America. The modern cur, most often known as the mountain cur, was refined starting sometime in the 1940s and has developed into the dog we have today.
Curs in general are larger than feists and will usually range out farther in search of game. Good cur dogs will use their eyes, ears and nose in search of squirrels and in general may be known for having more nose than most feist dogs. (Keep in mind that some feist fans will disagree strongly with this because there is a lot of good-natured rivalry among some squirrel dog aficionados, just like Ford versus Chevy or Glocks versus 1911 pistols.)
Curs are often known to be highly intelligent, loyal and may even be more sensitive than other dogs. A cur may take a little time, but once he bonds with you, that is it — he is your dog. All dogs are individuals, and even dogs in the same litter will vary in traits, but in general if you think you may not want a squirrel dog to range out too far in the woods, the feist may be a better fit for you than a cur. The original mountain cur, the Kemmer cur, Stephens cur, and treeing Tennessee brindle are all different strains of the cur.
Feists are usually smaller than curs and may be a little more "feisty" than a cur, which is probably a result of some of their terrier ancestry. Like the cur, a feist makes a great buddy dog, and if you are able, take them with you everywhere you can, especially when they are young. This is a great way to bond with any dog and will translate to your working together in the woods and making them a squirrel dog. The Mullens feist, Barger feist, mountain feist and American treeing feist are all breeds you may see in the category.
Most curs and feists make great family dogs, are good with kids and will be loyal companions as long as they live. The only drawback is, like all dogs, they don't live long enough.
If you are not familiar with the squirrel dog world and don't know anyone with dogs, the best route is to do your homework and look up a reliable breeder and have some conversations with them before jumping in and getting a puppy. If possible, go see the parents in the woods; this is the best way to predict what the puppies might do.
Work leads to fun
OK, I've got this squirmy little puppy. Now what?
Ronnie Snedegar is a squirrel dog addict from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, and spends a lot of time with his dogs. His dog Annie is a West Siberian Laika and a super grand squirrel champion in the competition world (events are held all over the country). He also owns Rowdy and Hammer, a father-and-son team of treeing Tennessee brindles, and both have earned squirrel champion titles. Snedegar also pleasure hunts his dogs a lot, and this past February he traveled to Alabama and led the Realtree team to a Squirrel Master Classic victory with his dogs.
"I have raised all three of my dogs from 8-week-old puppies, and the journey starts the day you go to pick up your pup," Snedegar said. "In my opinion, the bonding, which is a big part of my training, starts the very first minute that you claim the pup as yours. There are lots of different ideas on picking a pup, as for myself I look for the loner and most adventurous, which is often the same pup with both characteristics.
"Once I have gained the trust of the pup — usually just a day or two — I take it with me everywhere that I can. In the woods, around the yard, the feed store, outdoor family gatherings and such. I spend quite a bit of time praising the pup for doing things I like, coming when I call, taking care of business when I take it outside, et cetera."
Ronnie went on to say that outdoors time with a pup is spent around creeks, fences, steep banks and any obstacles they will encounter while hunting. In order to introduce the pup to squirrels, watch for fresh roadkills or keep a stash of tails and hides in the freezer and let the pup smell them and grab them if they want.
Remember, all dogs are different. Some puppies may show a lot of interest in a hide or a dead squirrel; some may not. What you do not want to do is push a young dog too hard at first. They are all different and progress differently, so let them learn at their own pace.
Successful trainers know you must wear out some boots to make a squirrel dog. There are no tricks or gimmicks that will take the place of keeping a dog in the woods. Start with a well-bred pup that seems to have a strong prey drive and a natural instinct to tree, and take them to the woods.
Taking the young dog to an area that has squirrels to begin with can be important. Too many trips to the woods without contact with game will discourage you and your dog. Every time you go to the woods, you may see a slight difference and improvement. It will not happen overnight; patience and perseverance will be rewarded here.
Hunting squirrels with a dog may be the best way to introduce any new hunter, young or old, to the sport. Squirrel doggin' is hunting that is low stress and can be done most anywhere. Kids and adults alike can have a carefree day in the woods, watch the antics of the dogs and may have a lot of shooting opportunities. Kids don't have to be quiet, sit still or endure any of the other tortuous aspects of deer or turkey hunting.
Most of all, hunting with a dog can be just plain ol' fun.
You remember when hunting was fun, don't you?
"Guns & Cornbread" is written by Larry Case, who lives in Fayette County, W.Va. You can write to him at larryocase@gmail.com.