Snuffy the Mississippi turkey dog

first mississippi turkey hunting dog in a century

Back in the late 70's I would read stories written by Mr. Kit Shaffer, about fall turkey hunting, and hunting with dogs. We got a new fall season in Mississippi a few years back when they opened counties outside the levee. Found out I could use a dog in these areas, so I decided to try it. I got a dog from Ron Magnano. Frank Cox picked 'em up for me in Memphis, he's one of the Boytel pups. I guess he would be Busters nephew and Ron's Junior is his Poppa. Frank and Ron have been very helpful in training tips. I might be the first in modern times to have a turkey dog in Mississippi. Lee Dulaney in Tupelo got the brother to mine, so there are two in Mississippi. This is the first day I had him, he was 9 weeks old. Ron already had him birdy.

This is Snuffy with the Rio gobbler I'm training him with. He was 3 months old in the pictures with the gobbler.
We have 3 official work times. I drag the gobbler one time a day and let him scent trail it.

This is Snuffy at 4 months old today, and a Rios gobbler that I keep in the freezer for drags.
I think he's well on his way to being a fall turkey dog.

When Snuffy and me take that first fall bird in October I will send you some pics. Mississippi is gonna change the season this year, it will be one continuous season rather than a split season; October 15 thru November 15th, it is up for public comment now. The 2008/2009 outdoor digest should be out first of July. Doug Morgan 6/23/2008

First legal fall turkey in MS with a dog

In Benton, MS, Snuffy got two hens at the ripe old age of nearly 8 months. He didn't bust 'em, but he sat there watching them come in. He's getting better, he seems to read my mind now. The guy with the glasses is Clint, he had the land and the permits and is a good friend. We had a great hunt, it was a mixed flock; hens, jakes and longbeards but I told Clint to take the first bird that he could to get one down in front of Snuffy. The guy with the tie is me, and there's a story behind the tie. If you are gonna meet the King of the Woods - you need to look your best! Me and two good friends hunted a turkey named Blackjack for two spring seasons. On the third season we hunted him 18 mornings straight, my buddy killed him one morning and he was a hoss. After that each year we would have the Blackjack Memorial Hunt. The three of us would get together and hunt that day. And we would wear ties. One of the guys has moved out of state and the other passed away. I wear the tie now on nearly every hunt. Reminds me of when I was younger and hunted with two really good friends, and it makes for interesting pictures. Me and Snuffy have three more weeks to hunt. Hope there will be more pictures and stories. I am really loving this kind of hunting... Doug 10-16-2008

"With the exception of women, there is nothing on earth so agreeable or necessary to the comfort of man as the dog."
Edward Jesse, Anecdote of Dogs
That's almost exactly what Parker Whedon said in his book:
'Training a Turkey Dog' - Wild Turkey Dogs - Choosing Training & Hunting.