BigGameHoundsmen.com

Maybe someone on here can help me understand something. No matter how many dogs I have I'm always looking at the hound classifieds and I've noticed a big price difference in western bear dogs and eastern bear dogs. I've seen many advertisements for finished western bear dogs hitting the $10,000 mark while east of the Mississippi $2,500 to $3,000 seems to be the norm topping out at $5,000. My initial thought is that it has something to do with outfitting/guiding. My point being a good dog out west is worth more because somebody could actually make money off the dog by outfitting. Am I missing something or have I hit the nail on the head?

Jim

It is because there are no good dogs in the east, Jim. Just kidding.

I've always been curious about that too. The only reason my broke butt looks at the classifieds is curiousity.

My guess would be the outfitting has the most impact.

I knew some smart ass would make that comment, but I thought it would be someone that lives out west. Hey you didn't fall out of the truck on your way to work this morning did you?

Jim

Safe and sound. All my latches have a fresh coat of wd 40 now.

Well that is a sticky one,Just from what i have been told it is not like that it is a little different and i am not going to start anything and watch and see what everyone else has to say.I can tell you what i have been told by the ol timers but it would be on pm.
Kenny

Ike,

I wouldn't mind having a pup out of that litter. I've always wanted to try a heavy Hoffmeister bred dog on these WV bears. I have a female here that has a little Hoffmeister on the top side, but have never had her on a bear. She's just now getting old enough to go with the big dogs. Choco sounds like a helluva dog.

Jim

I guess IKE's dogs are so smart they know not to strike in june and october.

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I know that if I had a bear dog that I thought was worth that much it would not be for sale.I think the guiding does have a lot to do with the price.I know that some of these eastern dogs that don't have big enough balls to be a bear dog would sell for top dollar as lion hounds if we lived in the west.

Ive bought dogs from back east out of top coon lines with varied results. The higher up they were rated in the coon dog world the bigger the flaws in the bear hunting world. For instance Ive bought pups out of dogs on the reproducers list with little to no big game desire. They had all the skill desire and drive to catch a coon but were afraid of a bear. Some of them would work a bear but not with much heart. I have one right now whose makeing a liar out of me. her mom is ranked #5 in the world and she is coming along pretty good. But for the most part they are lacking in the scary department. I have also bought pups out of pleasure dogs and compition dogs with great results.

Then you got guys like the guy from Texas in last monthes magazine that had 7 top big game lead hounds for sale at a total of $ 25,000.00. Every hound in every ad that he had was a top dog. This might be a good sign to steer clear. Most houndsmen, even top guides might have 2 or 3 top dogs, but 7 top notch, number one lead dogs? Come on , give me a break.

im from the east and thnk part of it number of hounds that get hunted why maybe cheaper when we hunt bobcat we use 25 to 30 dogs on a chase alot of ppl i see post in here talk about using 3 or 4. thnk the terrain alot easier to break dogs also