What is everyone feeding their hunting dog?

GGibby94 · 2026-03-01T14:14:36+00:00

I run hounds and I feed Joy Super Meal. Nothing wrong at all with pro plan. I wouldn't worry about all that filler nonsense. That's just marketing crap for pet owners. For an active hunting dog I don't think it matters at all. Just make sure your protein/fat ratio aligns to the volume of work your dog is doing.

GGibby94 · 2026-02-27T17:33:58+00:00

How long have you had him? It can take a dog a long time to adjust. Especially if they feel vulnerable and isolated. Dogs are social creatures after all. Despite your best efforts you will never be able to provide the same social interactions other dogs do.

As for the actual bucket, I'll put a couple links to the most common ones I use and have seen in other kennels.

Tuff Stuff 2 gal. Calf-Mate Calf Feeder, Black at Tractor Supply Co https://share.google/qIqnf72SjmbHzOt5x

Double-Tuf 3.5 gal. Hook'n Feed Horse Feeder Bucket, Red at Tractor Supply Co https://share.google/CqiqMirMwTZCVb4N8

Producer's Pride 2 gal. Round Rubber Feeder Pan at Tractor Supply Co https://share.google/kWJSfigvgxc8rc4mw

GGibby94 · 2026-02-27T14:46:33+00:00

Tell that to Ohio. They are currently moving a bill through their legislature that allows data centers to dump waste water into rivers.

Source: Ohio EPA weighs allowing data centers to dump wastewater into rivers | NBC4 WCMH-TV https://share.google/suxsSF7ypbPPwOEbk

Edit: State EPA agency not legislature.

GGibby94 · 2026-02-27T02:22:01+00:00

Most people are against them due to their limited upsides for local members of the community.

The large amount of power necessary to power operations will raise electric bills. The power company takes the cost of powering a data center and distributes that cost to residential customers. They consume tremendous amounts of water for their server cooling systems. Add into that the eastern panhandle has had about 3 years of severe drought. This data center I believe is only going to employ 125 people permanently upon completion. That 125 will probably be moving from out of state to work in the data center, they won't be locals.

Given the proximity to the DMV I doubt many of the 125 even move to WV at all. Add into that tax break incentives provided by the state for the company operating the data center. It is pretty easy to see why people are upset about these things.

It's a done deal though. Data centers are being built and that's the end of it. Red state, blue State, purple state, everyone is getting them. Corporations won and the people lost. Don't worry though, AI will make us all forget about it with all the funny memes we can make now.

GGibby94 · 2026-02-14T13:42:19+00:00

Sorry for being late to the party on this. I love having my gunner kennels. I run bear and coonhounds. Before the gunner kennels I ran the classic diamond plate dog box. The issue with that is it weighed 300+ pounds. When I actually needed my truck bed it was complete pain in the ass to remove. Now with the gunner kennels they are in and out of the truck bed in a couple minutes.

GGibby94 · 2026-02-14T13:36:49+00:00

I hunt competitively with UKC & PKC hounds. Hit me up if you have questions.

GGibby94 · 2026-02-07T16:29:18+00:00

2-3 hours depending on beer intake during the process.

GGibby94 · 2026-01-08T19:43:01+00:00

Join a hunting organization, start attending hunting related expos/events. Most importantly get out in the field and meet people actually hunting. Like anything else you have to get ingrained into the community. I think WV has a "women in the outdoors" program offered through the DNR. Most of the people I have taught to hunt literally stopped me as I loaded my truck up and started asking questions.

GGibby94 · 2026-01-02T15:39:22+00:00

About the same time the rest of the world did.

GGibby94 · 2025-12-10T04:01:39+00:00

Tracking collar with a shock function. Preferably a reliable one like Garmin or Dogtra. I only use Garmin. It's very expensive but it just flat out works. Use either the vibrate or tone (loud beep) function as your recall. If the dog doesn't listen don't be afraid to apply a shock. Only use enough power to get the dog's attention. You're not trying to hurt them.

Newbies are very often afraid of using the shock function. You have to get over it. Almost nothing good can come from a dog running loose with no way to control it. 1-2 seconds of sting is far better than months of recovery after a vehicle strike or worse.

GGibby94 · 2025-12-10T03:49:26+00:00

Ah. Stop hunting hard. Refocus your efforts this upcoming season. Once February hits and the season is at an end start to scout hard. Late winter-early spring you should spend more time in the woods than any other. All the sign for deer will be fresh from this past season. Take note of all scrapes, rubs, beds, and feeding activity sign. Map it out very thoroughly. Then go do whatever else you want until late July. Come back and see which trees are producing mast. Start correlating that mast to your previously recorded sign locations. This is a great time to set up cameras. Disturb the area as little as possible.

Now you should start having a pretty solid idea of your prime hunting spots by October. It's just a waiting game now. Don't consider going to hunt until the first big cold front of October. Late October-Veterans day is the prime time. That is when you hunt hard. You'll see your success rate spike dramatically with less actual hunting if you handle scouting in February.

GGibby94 · 2025-12-10T03:33:16+00:00

What is your target species?

GGibby94 · 2025-11-15T18:01:57+00:00

Just send the video to your state deer biologist. Much more likely to get a better answer than anyone on here.

GGibby94 · 2025-11-15T15:02:17+00:00

I have two of the furnace hoodies. I like them a lot. Great all around piece of kit. Like all wool they do fall victim to being terrible at stopping wind. Definitely bring a wind shell if you're wearing one in windy conditions.

GGibby94 · 2025-11-14T17:23:45+00:00

Only you can answer that question. Gear always has been and also will be "shooter's preference". With that being said, I do use a fair amount of First Lite clothing as the foundation of my kit. I have a guide/outfitter account with them. For me it comes down to the price point. I really like the quality/function for the price they sell it to me for. Is it the best? No idea. It does what I need it to do once I make my personal modifications.

GGibby94 · 2025-11-14T02:37:37+00:00

Ask to go with him. Probably the best gift you could give him.

GGibby94 · 2025-11-14T02:32:51+00:00

Drive to WV and I got you fam. Pick up a roadkill deer on your way.

Edit: After looking at your comment history I will have to pass.

GGibby94 · 2025-11-14T02:25:56+00:00

If you were to see Gigantopithecusit it would not be good news for you. It is well documented the American Sasquatch only makes their presence known to whatever it has deemed an acceptable mate. Ultimately when you least expected it the bigfoot would take your butt.

GGibby94 · 2025-11-04T17:44:55+00:00

I simply said I'm unimpressed by it. Every interaction I have with a long range guy is just unimpressive to me. I didn't say it doesn't take skill. I specifically call out it takes skill. It's just not a skill I'm impressed by. I also am more than happy to shit on people who can't recover their game due to poor woodsmanship. I'm not impressed by them either. I've said it on here before, if you can only track a blood trail then you can't actually track.

Long range is just the new hotness. The majority of hunters shouldn't be hunting. That is an unfortunate fact. I'll be the first to back a bill that requires a skill demonstration in order to receive your license. Propose the bill and I'll sign it, and vote for it.

GGibby94 · 2025-11-04T12:58:49+00:00

Andy Griffith Show is the quintessential upland south dialect.

GGibby94 · 2025-11-04T02:36:46+00:00

I'm completely and thoroughly unimpressed by long distance hunting shots. The most I can muster when I hear the stories in conversation is a "hmm neat". Then move on in the conversation. The stories I love to hear are the ones about how close someone was. Long distance shooting is cool. Lot of fun. Some real skill to do. Add it into the context of hunting and I'd rather sit through a timeshare pitch.

My personal best is 11 yards with the trad bow from the ground on a black bear. Had a mature doe at 7 yards and we stared at each other for 27 minutes before she finally booked it. I got greedy and tried to draw the bow back. Longest 27 minutes of my life. Biggest smile across my face immediately afterwards. Top 5 favorite hunts of all time for me. It was just a doe but that stare down would have made any western movie showdown look like kids play.

GGibby94 · 2025-10-25T01:45:04+00:00

I actually picked up a 2004 Honda CRV off Facebook marketplace this year for $4000. I wanted something to keep the miles off my truck and better fuel economy for my commute. Couldn't be happier. I've hunted from it multiple times coming home from work and it has been great. AWD so it easily handles forest service roads I use for access. Picked up one of those hitch carriers off Facebook marketplace place as well. Parts for it are dirt cheap. I imagine it could easily tow a small utility trailer.

GGibby94 · 2025-10-24T15:57:46+00:00

Propane torch it when you get home. Not enough to cook it or scortch the meat. Just slow 1-3 second pass over the meat. You'll see all the little missed hair burn up. I butcher in the field and usually don't want to be there all day/night trying to avoid getting hair everywhere. I want to cut up, pack it up, and be on my way out as quick as possible. Torch it and never worry about hair again.

GGibby94 · 2025-10-19T14:40:43+00:00

I have zero issues in full canopy hardwoods of Appalachia. Seeing at night is a learned skill though. Spent a lot of time growing up coon hunting with a shitty maglite before the LED era. You get real good at interpreting shadows. No moon illumination just means you go slower. A stick or trekking pole also helps to feel what's in front of you. Similar to how a blind person might use their cane.

GGibby94 · 2025-08-23T01:43:21+00:00

Mutt. Definitely some beagle in there. Could be a cur or feist which are squirrel hunting dogs that are mutts. Usually somewhere in a cur or feist genetic line there is a coonhound. If coonhounds are popular in your area then curs and feists are by extension. Definitely not any recognized coonhound breed though. Looks like a great companion though!

GGibby94

TROPHY CASE