Just wanted to say Howdy!

[Ncwoodsman]

Im new to bobcat hunting with hounds,got my first treein walker a month back she came from the bad side of dog hunting I say,she never been hunted she just had papers an they wanted to breed her but never did. Ive took her out 9 times not enough but so far so good I can tell between a slick tree an if shes got something,if scents really hot she,ll open up once twice witch I rather have a quite dog on track but hey this gal can hunt. I picked up two free treeing walker pups on craigslist by the time deer seasons done an nobodys out to shoot hounds that are running deer by there spots,they will be just old enough to start maybe (6months). Im just a young buck but Ill keep my ears open an listen to the older bucks cause wisdom just doesn't come from anywhere. But I reckon Id drop in on this fourm an join the rest of you how enjoy the music of hounds. ps the first walker I talked about (3.1/2)years old,hates house cats so I hope shes catminded maybe.

[Rod Vinson]

Young Man I am east of you, I wish you good luck with the cat hunting! I hunt running walkers but you may find on this site some guys out west hunt tree stock and have luck but I prefer the running walkers. If your dog is crazy over house cats, that is a pretty good sign, most of my hounds would make them house cats navigate pretty quickly as well. I wont mess with many cats until October, you will find that NC actually has a cat season, when it goes out I run some grey fox and during the summer I run young grey fox in the bean fields, but it is a lot like running cats, but come mid October me and my mutts are looking a kitty to chase.. good luck!

[Ncwoodsman]

The runt pup I had must of not been very healthy he passed away afew days ago,Im still trying find anyone that has any they are looking to get rid of or cant feed Im be very bless to take take. I also worked for some permission to hunt some private land in chatam county on the side of the cape fear. a lot of clay an rocky area then the sand an pine trees around here,hope this season works great an no matter what I tend to take my time train ,my pack,I got a aussie sheapard that love to tree aan a aussie /red heeler mix I think Im gonna through in the group,Maybe we get together an hunt,Have a good one an good luck!

[twist]

Great that you are gettingito the sport. One little bitof wisdom, don't get overstocked with hound just starting out. Andy

[al baldwin]

Wish I was as young as you, enjoy that youth. For me training on house cat is not a very wise move, while they can help a young hound learn to track and tree they can also lead to big problems later on. With the laws in todays society the risk of having the hounds harm someone/s cat could be very costly and give you & the hounds a black eye. Good luck & welcome to take or leave the advice. Al

[1bludawg]

Both Al and Twist offered good advice .I would agree that the greatest mistake beginners make is starting out with to many dogs.Just work a couple for a while until you get them going .Remember,you'll probably have to cull some before you get a good one .If you could get a old pup trainer you'd be money ahead but finding a honest old trainer is a job in itself .

[Ncwoodsman]

Ive rather take them out in the field the use a house cat, I know way better then that. Harder finding fresh tracks of a bobcat but feels good working your dogs.

[Dads dogboy]

Pardner,

Reading your Posts you appear to be a youngster, maybe not, but either way to be successful where you are live FORGET the Aussie Shepard and the Heeler cross for Bobcat Hounds!

Be darn sure and FORGET using Barn Cats past a Pups 12th week as a training tool. With all the Houses in the country where you are talking about Hunting, you will end up with a House/Barn Cat race ending under or in a House, have a dead Dog and serious Liability issues.

There are many very Good Houndsmen who run Bobcat and Fox in you area. Go to a Field Trial and meet some of them. Be ALL EARS and No Mouth, offer to buy the gas if someone will take you Hunting. Doing this you will eventually find a Mentor who will/can give you a Gateway into a 150+ year old Culture.

A good source for Events and Trials in NC is www.speeddogs.net but again be all ears as the Real Deal Houndsmen who can help you do not suffer Fools well!

[Ncwoodsman]

Thanks!

[Ncwoodsman]

Im about to pick up a leopard in the next hour,they say she was bit through the nose an breaths funny so they think she cant smell but Im gonna see how she really is ,any advice ?