Need help with a young dog in Texas

[tomtom]

I have a gyp I would like to start on cats. I plan to run her on coons/cats but want to really focus on the cats first. Probably need to get her familiar with the process with coons first, then tackle the cats, but I would like to make an impression on her with cats the first few times with other dogs. Shes never been with other hounds. I know of one cat hunter in south Texas and it's hit or miss on schedules/rain. If anyone would let her and I tag along I would be greatful. I live in La Grange. tom cantwell 512-903-2686.

[Hipshooter]

U can,t hunt cat & coon with the same dog.
U will end up running coon 98 % of the time. Only
time u will ever run a cat is by accident or u happen to see one in the road.
To make a cat dog u have to break him off coons. & every thing else.
This is a good tip, as it will take u 3 or 4 years to find this out by trial & error
If u are just starting out u have to make up your mind on the
1st day weather u want to be a coon or cat hunter.

[tomtom]

That is exactly what I am trying to do. I want a coon dog that will run a cat. The coons I can handle on my own. And I can call a cat and cut a track later down the road. But I would like to expose this dog to a few cat races first to shave some time and let her know its ok. Where I live, I have smaller places to hunt, but the cats don't get ran. So when I go coonhunting, I want to have the option of running a cat. I THINK... If I start her on cats and allow running coons, I could hit my target. I would certainly love to be a die hard cat hunter, or a coyote hunter, or a lion hunter. But I don't have the time or places to be dedicated. Plus everybody wants you to catch the feed stealing coons. I think a trip with a cat hunting friend or cutting a track with the ole' Foxpro ever so often might keep the fire lit. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Dads dogboy]

Tom Tom,

We have talked before. Get ahold of Mr. Joe and he can turn you on to some other very GOOD Cat hunters just south of you.

Get rid of the Foxpro and get you a Burnham Bros Compu III it will work a lot better.

Hipshooter is giving you very good advise. Coon Hunt with your Hound and go Cat hunt with the other fellows. Your Dog running a Cat might get you and it both in trouble with POSTED Land....this is the BIG reason we do not live in Brenham anymore.

CJC

[tomtom]

I have spoken with Mr. Joe a few times. I've either been at work or its dry and windy. I wasn't planning on taking my pup at first, even though he told me to. He's got some young dogs that need attention too, so we will see when we get a little moisture down there and I'm not working 7 days a week. Theres just so many cats around here. Even some of the bigger places I could go, nobody runs dogs. They're just farther away than the coon huntin spots. Man I just wanna kick that cat outta that tree!!

[tomtom]

Well I took Hipshooters advice. I'm now the proud owner of a White Deer Plott. Now I can coon hunt and take my Plott to the cat races when I go.

[Dads dogboy]

Nice looking Pup!

Good Luck...tell Mr. Joe Hello for us!

CJC