When is it safe to hunt your dog in the marsh?
 

I just wanted to get a few opinions on hunting your dog in marsh when we still have warm temps. How many of you will be taking your dogs out this weekend?

Gatorade bait!!

If you keep them fairly close and no big ones have been spotted I would. Under 6' doesn't bother me and after a good freezer they will not be that aggressive .

depends on the dog some too.
Had a golden that went right at 90 pounds, I took him most all the early days unless I knew of a big boy in the area.

My little boykin is 38 pounds with her neoprene cover soaking wet!!
She would be a nice morsel for even a smaller gator.

If the dog is aggressive or curious, you may want to keep it out of the marsh.
If it is obedient enough, you can call it back if you see the gator.
If there is a gator in your pond, you will lose some ducks. However, I have found
a gator in the blind before and never seen it in the pond.
Also, blinds are a favorite spot for gators to have a hole/den. No one there all summer,
nice place for it to sun and hide out for prey.

I agree with Ray if the dogs curious leave him at home, but if he listens i say go for it.

Gators are not the only thing to watch for. I have seen dogs get chewed up pretty bad by Nutria too.

I just let the dead ducks float around and pick them all up when I'm done.....no dog needed

Crabs get em over here.
or the wind blows em to kingdom come

It all depends on the size of the pond. If it is big, you will lose some.
That is wanton waste. The game wardens can write you up if you
don't make an attempt to find them.
Some also will get eaten by Mink and Otter, Coons, Coyotes or the Gator.

Saw some big gators in Henderson yesterday. If only I had Willies hook...LOL