The American Beagler Forum

Every year when I go east to visit family I have been looking up Jim Lane and going hunting with him. This year I met up with him and I got one word for you, COLD! It was about 7 degrees and the wind was going about 15 mph. That brought it down to about -5. But to these old bones it felt like about -50. We also had about a foot of snow. There was about 3 inches of fresh powder snow on top and under that was packed ice. If I was going to be there longer I would have waited to go in better conditions but I had to go home and I only had a few days so away me and Jim went.

Jim picked out the dogs we took, he said in conditions like this its not there nose that runs the rabbit, it is there experience. We took, and I wrote down these names so I hope I get it right, Shake Rag Ozzie- age 11, Perry's Spot- age 9, Happy Run Calico Clem- age 8 and Jim threw in my favorite "Dingus" for good measure.

We went for 4 hours, we jumped 5 rabbits and Jim shot 2 rabbits. We watched 3 real good races for the conditions and one race they ran for 45 minits and would have been considered a great run in any condition. I was ready to go after the first hour but I was glad we stuck the cold out. I seen some real dog work in real bad conditions, we didn't jump 1 rabbit, the dogs jumped all 5. That old Clem dog jumped a rabbit that about ran through my legs and I was too cold to raise my gun fast enough. lol Them old dogs still can do the job and the hunt that those dog displayed was unreal. I'm not sure what it was, but Jim glazed those dog's feet and ears with something the night before and they were fine in that snow, ice and wind. He said it was so no ice or snow would stick to there feet, ears or face and it worked.

I took some pictures and sent them back to JIm, but I can't figure out how to post them on here. But I had a great time and if I live, I can't wait until next year.

Thanks for the story! It's always great to hear that Ozzie and Clem are getting some good running again. Looks like they are in good company with Spot and Dingus.....and Jim, of course!

Hopefully Jim will post some pic's soon! From what I hear Those Old Dogs Ozzie , Spot, and Clem are so used to the snow it must have been like coming home to them!
I think Dingus has a union contract with Jim that says he has to go when filling the gamebag is involved! I think I seen stamped on his collar "DON"T LEAVE HOME TO HUNT WITHOUT THIS DOG"!

Lets hear from Jim what the "concoction" is that he put on the dogs feet. I'm always looking to try something new. Been using a product called "The Feet Stuff" from Adirondack Kennels (for sled dogs). Seems to work well. I've used about a 1/3 of a pound of it in the past month.

Here you go buddy, here are 2 of the pictures you sent. It was a good time, despite the cold. I wish we had better conditions but we did the best with what we had. But as you can see, after hunting Ozzie relaxes in his big brown throne by the fireplace these days.

As far as the dogs, I wanted you to have a good day and I lean towards dogs that have it between the ears as much as I do the nose itself in bad conditions. And its hard to go against “experience”, and I rarely leave Dingus at home. You pretty much named them right, Hills Shake Rag Ozzie, Happy Run Calico Clem, Perry’s Spot and Dingus.

I was not going to tell about that rabbit running thru you're legs, you're secret was safe with me. But you left out that Ozzie retrieved both of those rabbits and brought them back to my feet. But of course Ole Sneaky Clem ran in and scooped the second one up and ran out like he was a drunken thief in a liquor store that had the stores last bottle in his hand. In the picture below, Clem is trying to sneak a bite while Davis is taking the picture. But we had a good time.

Perry’s Spot is a good old female, some on here have talked about her littermate brother “Tru-Grit Major”. They are both out of FC Mill Branch Major who is the littermate to the dog that is in just about every dog we own and that is “Deep Creek Jake”. They are both out of FC Indian Hills Majer & Donna Rae MacRae.

Bootjack, I do pretty much what you do, I like “The Feet Stuff” from Adirondack Kennels. I really like the “Recharge” that they sell. What I am using on their feet now is a combination of Furacin, Jim's Miracle Ointment and Green Stuff. You can see it here: http://www.sleddogsupplies.ca/products/ ... tments.php I like it, as you know the only way for a dog to sweat is through the mouth and out the feet. When they exhale out their mouth and nose or sweat through their feet it creates an icy glaze over their face and ice between their toes and pads. This stuff has an oily and waxy finish “not wet” to it and the condensation rolls right off and doesn’t stick. Other products that are used to toughen the foot also blocks the pours of the dog’s foot so it can’t sweat at all. In the summer-time many people are putting products on their dog’s feet to make them tough, but they over-heat and sometimes stroke-out because they can’t sweat properly. I really like what I’m using now.

Awesome pics, Jim!

Jim, how big is Dingus and what size pups does he produce?

Thanks
Ben Riggs

i hope we have better weather than that next weekend.
but tomorrow is going to be on the minus side.

Hey Jim, I think it might be time for the Woodbury Winter Classic. But this time we might make it an age limit thing. Those that would like to run young dogs, say 8 mo. to 2yrs, the second group could be from 3 yr. to 5yrs., and the last group could be from 6yrs. and up, you know the seniors. We just have to pick a day, when its good for everyone that want's to come and run.

[quote="Laneline"] But of course Ole Sneaky Clem ran in and scooped the second one up and ran out like he was a drunken thief in a liquor store that had the stores last bottle in his hand. In the picture below, Clem is trying to sneak a bite while Davis is taking the picture. But we had a good time.

Jim, not Clems fault it's his Irish/Canadian upbringing

I can vouch.

Jim,

Looking forward to a hunt in 2010. We still have the Woodbury Classic to organize in March after gun season.
Give Abbie a hug from for me.

Ed

Hey Jim I Think Smokey would fit right in at your house.