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I have two younger dogs that I have been starting to take out and run at night. Is it natural for them to open up on a scent or is it just them barking to bark? Will they let out a bark when they get a scent?

they will but if they are not broke on trash who knows what they are barking at.

But it is a scent when they let out a yelp or two? I can't tell if its a scent or them just barking

I don't know your dogs but mine are silent unless on a trail or looking at something...

If you are not sure you might try them on a trail that you know is there. Maybe you could either find a freash track and put them on it. OR try to lay a scent trail just to test them.

Some hounds will open as soon as they smell a track , others can be total silent on trail, then you find some that will advance the track before they give any voice. As Tom stated you will need to find the critter you wish your dogs to trail and see what type of trail hounds you have. Remember young hounds sometimes will not open like an older hound. It has been my experience most houinds will be more open as they gain track experience and age. However hounds certainly vary in the amount of mouth they give on trail. Will need to experiment and look for the hound that suits you. Also some hounds will bark when they are excited at the beginning of a hunt when there is not any scent of whatever critter you are hunting. Wish I was as young as I suspect you are. Enjoy your youth and keep hunting the hounds, we all had to start somewhere. Hope this helps you a little.Al

I kinda have the same thing going on with my young dog he has only ever opened on a coon track one or twice and it was super hot! But now as soon as I let him out of the dog cage when were hunting he is opening I think its just because he is excited to be out hunting