BigGameHoundsmen.com

i am young hunter just getting in to hounds and my parents are a little iffy about letting my get one... how much would it cost to get started? and how much dog feed do you guys go through in a month?

Thanks

it all depends on what you intend to hunt with your hounds and where. Raising a hound isnt any different than raising a lab for price of feeding. I have two hounds and spend about 60 bucks a month on food right now.

If you intend to start out coon hunting...all you really need is a pair of boots, a dog and a gun. I don't even bother using my tracking collars when I am coon hunting. Dogs never get far enough away to worry. But thats my country. Also just remember. Compared to hound hunting tracking collars and shock collars are new. Although they are great and make things easier. The ol' boys never had em. It can be done with out them.

Bobcats, lions and especially bear all typically are assiocated with tracking systems trucks, snow mobiles, four wheelers and lots of gas money.

Personaly if your young and just starting out without a lot of play money. Coon hunting is the way to go. After you get your dog or dogs going find a local houndsmen to jump aboard with.

Good luck! Daniel

I see you live in washington. Quit while your ahead! If you really like hound huntin go with someone that has dogs already! We don't have enough opportunity here to make it worthwhile or do the dogs justice. Some of us pre-ban guys are hoplessly addicted. But if you decide to still get dogs. A tracking system, shock system are somthing you want to get to start off with.

I don't know much about washington hunting or what style of hunting you want but here is my take on it. I don't spend anymore than I would for house dogs Ie food and vet bills. I just hunt from my house every morning so no gas and travel time. Also my dogs are combination dogs and are allowed to run everything thats legal be it fox, bobcat, lion, bear and the other smaller trash: possums, coati, ringtailed cats (no coons here or I would run those too). Anyhow I have alot of fun and tree plenty of game without spending much money or time. Taking a walk for 1-2 hours every morning is what every responsible dog owner should do anyhow. I just choose to spend my walk hunting.

Earlier this month we took 3 lions and treed some other stuff as well coati some fox and bobcats, two fox caught on ground, don't ask my why they didn't climb, its nothing but trees here... oh and also had a small herd of 3or4 Javalina run into what looked like a bear den. I didn't want to stick my head in there and get a good count

I would take a look at where you can hunt and what, hopfully you have a way to go everyday. And you don't have to drive more than 15 mins to do it. I don't bother with collars because I am rarly less than 2 miles from home so not needed. If you have to travel far to hunt you likly should invest in a tracking collar. The shock collars sound nice but if you only have the one dog and lots of time you can train them without.

Key to training without shock collars is building a strong base early ie coming when called sitting and building trust which is why I like to start with as young a pup as posible. While they are still young you can catch them when trashing and put a stop to it if you are dilligent about this early they will think you can outrun them even as adults.

just do it and have fun. It's an expirence that not many get to see. and memories that last a life time.

Excactly Cat track, Thats what I was trying to explain in my rambling post. You can have fun hunting with dogs without breaking the bank. Sure you may not catch something every time out at first but you will learn alot can have lots of fun doing so.

GO 4 it first do alot of research books this site, were u will get ur hound a pup or maybe started hound,feed can be easy to come by w/ one dog think about were u will hunt train whatever, I think if ur hound has the basics like come ,stay, load up,heel, ur miles and miles ahead and can hunt anywere. if u really want it will happen, GOOD LUCK AND ALWAYS HAVE FUN!

Thanks a bunch guys

yeah bud dont let no body tell you you cant, or shouldnt do it
like cat track said its something not alot of people these days do get the chance to experience and you WILL meet a lot of great people during your adventures also some not so gret..but hey, thats life!..its honestly just the most fun a person could have in my opinion, finished tracks or not

and to the guy who told this guy not to do it, i cant believe anyone would ever do that
a prime example of the kind of sour people i mentioned above

and about your parents
this is the argument i used when i first wanted hounds, you could be out doin a WHOLE LOT WORSE than out in the woods followin some dogs..and if it eases their minds coon huntin CAN be done in the daytime just as productively as at night
good luck to ya, and let us know how it goes