Roy Sparks - Is there a demand for trained hounds ?

[Roy Sparks]

Hello hunters,

I had a gentleman come hunt with me a number of years back from Utah, Kendall Prisbey, he came over with his two nephews Chris and Billy Robb who I believe have really good cat hounds.Kendall owns hounds but tags along with Bill and Chris over weekends.They are guides and run their hounds professionally.

Kendall spoke to me after seeing our hounds working and how they handle, he seemed to be impressed at how many well trained manageable hounds we have in our teams all at once in the field.

He said there are many more houndsmen like himself who would just love to own a couple of broke well bred strike hounds for their weekend hunts.He told me the problem is they are hard to come by, and the pro-guides dont easily part with them.Apparently the majority of hound owners in the US are sport hunters and they hold down other occupations so they dont have much time for the training their own hounds.

Kendall felt there was an opportunity for me to train and export cat hounds back to the US.We certainly are not restricted to hunting seasons here, our hounds hunt year round so we produce a good number of strike hounds every year.They work 5 days a week on live hunts and experience lots of kills.They certainly get the mileage required for a good hound to develope.

We have about 40 different antelope species that they are exposed to,two types of apes,two types of hogs,hares snakes and a bunch of other critters,including fallow and red deer.So opportunities to get them broke from running trash or non target game is plentiful and a daily chore.

Interested to hear your comments on this idea and estimated values of hounds according to experience.

Kind regards,

Roy Sparks - Sparks Hounds.

[Benny G]

Roy, I am no expert on selling dogs. I have never bought anything beyond a year old, and I have never sold anything beyond that age either. There are plenty of guys out there who sell dogs of all calibers and price. I know of a dog that was sold for $15,000.00 around 15 years ago, but that was an unheard of price. I also know a guy that has sold dogs consistantly for $7500.00 to $8000.00. Two summers ago he told me that his prices were going up to $10,000.00 for a trained dog. I have also seen sure enough good dogs sell for considerably less. Part of the price depends on how well known the seller is, and also how proven the line of dogs. For some poeple moving a dog is no problem, while for others it seems that no matter how good the dog is they can't get others interested. I do believe that with time and consistance a person can build a good name and for that scenario, a market will present its self. Perhaps others will have a better perspective than me. Benny

[Roy Sparks]

Benny,

Thanks for your reply,$15 000.00 wow!! Well done to that guy.I'll have to do some good advertising and see where this goes, I dont mind getting involved with someone reliable your end to broker for me.The thing is we have the time to put into this and no restrictions on hunting caracal so I can deffinately look at this seriously as a business proposition.

I am chasing my tale now and have to get into the field to do some calling tonight for a problem cat.My hound teams and handlers are both out on contract to some other farmers so I got to go help this other guy with the calling equipment.The teams got six kills since last Wednessday so they going okay.

We'll talk again soon,take care so long,

Roy.

[Big Mike]

Definitely a market for good cat dogs. The average price I see them selling for are about 3000k-6000K. Theres only a few guys that have the reputation and demand that can get more like Benny said.

Dry ground lion dogs and top bobcat dogs generally sell for the most and goes down from there.

There definitely is a opportunity to sell some good dogs. In your situation I think you would need someone who could hunt the dogs here for a month before you sell them, so you are sure they can amke the transition of habitats and different type cats. Also seems shipping a dog from Africa would cost an arm and a leg whch would cut in your profits a bit.

[Benny G]

Big Mike makes a good point about having someone to acclimate and hunt them for a while. You can read on this site some of the issues related to flying dogs short distances. Last year I went to Swaziland. From the time I left home until I got to my motel in Swaziland I had traveled 56 hours. It was hard enough on me, and I wasn't in a crate! I know that the process can be done, it may just take time and the right relationship on both ends. TRUSTWORTHINESS, INTEGRITY, and HONESTY on both ends. Good luck.