Young hounds on their own

[MidnightRun]

I have two five month old hounds now and just like everyone is I'm anxious to have them catching game. I know their breeder produces excellent dogs but people are telling me I should expect them to not be catching bears on their own until somewhere around a year and a half or two years

I plan on training them with coons as much as I can and as soon as they take interest in chasing and trailing. I'm lucky enough to have good people willing to allow my dogs to go with their older hounds but I'd like to not burden them with it too much and work with them on my own as much as I can.

I'm sure lots of people have started the same way. Could some let me in on what I should expect? It would be a good help.

[us veteran wv]

Read (Getting Bear Hounds Started). I am wanting to get started in the sport but I have'nt got any dogs yet. But nevertheless there are some knowledgeable advice that guys have given me.

[MidnightRun]

You'd think I would have seen that thread since it was on the first page. Thanks

[chilcotin hillbilly]

Midnightrun,
I would have your dogs in the woods hunting bear long before that. I had two of mine catch their 20th bear on their own the day they turned one.
I had another pup last year that started going with the big dogs at 5 months and saw 40 bears before he was 8 months old. All you can do is try them and see. I usually like a pup to be 9 or 10months old to start on bear and 6 or 7 months to start on cats.

[MidnightRun]

I like the sound of that. Thanks