Today

[Clarka57]

I moved from Oregon to Arizona in April (had a great bob season last year and the dogs were in awesome shape). Well I took a lower paying job knowing that I would probably be offered a pretty good paying job in November. Well I have been completely broke for about 6 months so all have been able to do is exercise my dogs a little and go into debt. Last week I was looking at my dogs thinking well crap they are so outta shape compared to normal they will probably not have the speed to stop a cat for a while. I figure debt or not I couldn't wait any longer. Well long story shorter we were walking up a wash this morning (~1 mile up) and they took a bob track. We were up in the steep chaperel with a few pinions but lots of yucca (Spanish dagger), cactus, and catclaw (reminded me of a burn or clear or shelterwood cut in Oregon with lots of ceanothus, except with pokies included). They were moving the track pretty slow and I was keeping along pretty good for about an hour. Well the dogs didn't slow down but I did. After two more hours I finally caught up to the dogs. They had lost the track in a rocky south facing hill side 3 miles (GPS) from the pickup. We had made a pretty good half circle but at that point I was flat down, I guess I didn't have to worry about what shape the dogs were in I was the one outta shape. I felt pretty guilty calling the dogs but I also knew the bobcat had the upper hand with the temp rising and being in such thick and spiny stuff and it wasn't going to end for a while if at all (no excuse I know). But on a good note I did see two lion and two other bob tracks in the area. We came home bloody, prickly, and tired (well at least me) but overall it was good day (at least I am on my way to getting back in shape).

[Hipshooter]

Good luck in Ariz, Clark

I ran 4 different

cats Friday night.
We roaded for a while, no barks.
So we decided to call one up.
1st place no cats.
2nd place, eyes showed up
Turned dogs out, race was on. Buddys pickup would not start, so we got way behind on the race before we got the junker started.
Cat got on rocky road, then went to a home and circles it & would not leave, so we
caught them before we got in trouble, no permission there.
Started roading again, never went 300 yards, strike again, another house about 1/2 mile away, dogs head straight for the house again., Soon we hear holling & yelling at our dogs, this is 1:00 in the morning. Dogs finally come back after the track blowed up at the house.
Started roading again, another strike, got in milo field, dogs could not move him, we decided it was a kitten & didn,t smell enough.
Roaded again & fast strike again. Another kitten, maybe a brother to the other one.
we gave up & went home.
Cat hunting is a comedy of things that can go wrong.
Sat night was a perfect night weather wise, I thought I would get up late in the morning & go, but over slept from hunting the night before.
Good hunting to all
Milt

[Dads dogboy]

Hipshooter,

"Cat hunting is a comedy of things that can go wrong."

Ain't it so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We got home from Florida about 10PM last night. Finished up the October hunt with 23 caught or treed. We had three others pull Houdini's on us, mostly due to poor scenting conditions and sandy roads.

The now 8 month old Pups are doing great. Rivers sisters are going to be as good as he is. The Corky dog, mate to Rivers, that we traded Mr. Harold out of is starting to come around. He may can strike Colder than Rivers.

With the Bad scenting conditions in Florida, we are lucky to have the density of population as the only Cat you will run are the ones winded from the Top out in Clear-Cuts. Cat struck on the roads the Hounds can not trail at all. The Old EAST WIND thing, high Humidity(in the 80 + % range) and lack of water in the woods combined to make the October Hunt tough. We were there 22 days hunted all or part of 18.

Keep ole Andy and the Girls in the road, luck comes to those who perservier!

Good Running to All!

C. John Clay
Dads Dogboy

[Hipshooter]

John,
Andy finally comeing around.
Took 2 months for him to get climated.
He struck 4 cats friday night.
He finally will leave the truck now.
At 1st he would not get away from the truck.
Still don,t think he is very cold nosed up here.
Good hunting