BigGameHoundsmen.com

I've never use scent on rabbits myself, as for the loop bit im not experienced enough to say. I would guess its a breed trait. I have one dog who does it ok but her littermate is awesome on old tracks or looses in that aspect.

this is good stuff, I have been thinking really hard lately about taking my boys to a fox pen but I can't find any closer than 3 hours drive away. If anybody knows of any fox pens in VA closer to the central va or west of the blue ridge let me know please.

the rabbitt deal is one of the best deals out there. it is extremely hard to trail, runs in extremely thick cover, twists around like a bob, and are easy to come by. all this and the the peice of mind of knowing you will never have to worry about having to look for your young dogs 15 miles away. for all these reasons i have always wanted to cross a little beagle into these hounds. i personally have never had a hound that could consistantly circle rabbitts here in arizona. if someone does i might be intrested in a pup some day.but all of the above doesn't come with out risk, you have to know when to stop and put them down with dogs running what your after. because you run the risk of turning your your young hounds into quiters. instead of getting the truly hard core trail dog you need, you will have one that quickly learns it is easier to run around looking to sight chase rather than doing the hard work we need from them. so before anyone runs off thinking that this is the goose that layed the golden egg, be carefull because there is a reason made dogs bring a premium price. this being said the best way to train is to get handability in order and let them run loose to run anything with hair till their noses are rubed raw. then guide them in the direction of your choice. that is what i did but no longer have that option. so i just improvise. good luck and take care.

Ringo, my pups have the fredom to run the hill side above my house and at an early age around 4 months they find and trail (start to open and run by sight and in no time by scent) the rabbit on there own no pen just wild rabbits. I have yet to have my pups trail a rabbit once they are exposed to bobcats. A pup that learns to trail rabbits at an early age is a plus in my eyes and buy 7-8 months can do a pretty fair job on thier own at trailing. Andy

I'm impressed on how many use rabbits. Dad and I also start in a rabbit pen. They get the first exposer at 7 weeks. We start in a 1/4 acre fence then as the pups mature we move to the horse pasture with tall grass. We never let them injure the rabbit. Once they start getting rough we move on to real game. This helps weed through the pups at a very early age. You learn real quick the pups different traits. Has worked real well. We have used scent in the past but I don't feel its as good as a real chase with a little excitement.

Dwish,

go to http://www.speeddogs.net there you will find lots of Fox/Cat Hunters who can tell you where a Close Fox Pen will be.

In VA they do not allow any Yotes in the Pens so they will be a TRUE Fox pen. For starting Pups (there are "Starter" Hound to get a Fox going the 1st time you visit the Pen, as this is all Strange to the Pups you are starting.

Just post on Speedogs and ask where one close to you is located, also scan the list of Pens on the Front Page.

Hope this Helps!

If I lived where I could do as Twist, I think it would be better than the pen ideas. Just some guys don't have that luxury. Just my two cents. Any other great ideas for once you get a older pup past the rabbit stages?

Dads Dogboy, Thank you for the info

I have been on the speeddogs site and checked out a couple of the pens on the front page. 2 of my dogs have got a couple coon seasons and bear races under their belt and my 3rd is a 1.5 y/o pup that did very well this past coon season. I have been trying very hard to get them on some bobs but due to the warm winter and lack of knowing people that hunt them I was unable to get them on any this year. I am thinking seriously about trying the fox pens during this off season to get them on a little game and keep them goin good. I just dont know how they'll do on game that doesn't tree as well. How does a fox pen work? do you free cast or can you ride roads and drop the tailgate if a fox crosses the rd? I know I'm asking a lot of ?s and I apologize but any info would be greatly appreciated.

On a side note my next prospect I'm going to have to give that rabbit a try.

Unreal-tk, I enjoy your entusiasm. You are consistently asking good questions-and probably applying them. If you can find the time, come this way. We will make a hunt and I will show you my training pen. I start scent training once they start on hard food, using their food. I get them using their nose's and brain by scattering hand fulls of dog food around a grassy area. It's fun to watch, and after a couple times pups enjoy grubbing around for their dinner. It's amazing how fast they catch on. I do not do this every feeding, but more like once or twice a week. As pups get older the grassy area progresses to brush or briar patches. So much more can be learned in person. Any way have a good day. John.