BigGameHoundsmen.com

Ok we talk about our dogs and blood and scenarios. But what ourselves as the trainers, what is the common denominator of a GOOD houndman with GOOD hounds.

My list:

Time
Consistency
Morals
Money
Location

Any other good comments on this list I would love to hear!

behind a good hound is good hunter/houndman.in order to be a good houndman you've got to understand and be able to relate to dog,being able to communicate with them in a way to get maximum results.Having a understanding and ability to read the game you are pursueing,in order to lead your dogs on a path of success,to end things in a winning situation for them as high percentage of the time as possible[to me everytime whether you make a catch or not].

Tim Pittman wrote:behind a good hound is good hunter/houndman.in order to be a good houndman you've got to understand and be able to relate to dog,being able to communicate with them in a way to get maximum results.Having a understanding and ability to read the game you are pursueing,in order to lead your dogs on a path of success,to end things in a winning situation for them as high percentage of the time as possible[to me everytime whether you make a catch or not].

Tim I agree 100% with you.
Know the bobcat inside and out. Know what a good cat hound is because once you have hunted with one or owned one your measuring stick is almost impossible to fill. I have yet to meet a bobcat hound hunter that isn't always looking for a better dog.

You would think I was crazy to hear all the sacrafices I have done just to chase a bobcat with a hound. I would really hate to look at all the money I have spent on this addiction.

Time with you and your dog (bonding and training)
Exposure- to game and the environment at the right time in each individual dog
Consistency of quality training techniques

What's the common denominator of good houndsmen with good dogs?

I think Tim mentioned this in the above post but I'm going to expand on it.

If a good houndsmen has 10 dogs out there working on a trail or running your game, he can tell what every dog is doing out there by listening to them. He will catch every little mistake a young dog or old dog might make and next hunt he will be ready to correct those mistakes if not that time.

I have known hunters that have hunted with dogs all their lives and some of them doesn't have a clue what their dogs or doing when trailing or running your game.

Example, young dogs over running a trail and the old dogs having to go back and line it back out, off barking, dogs going back down the back trail, hitting a tree when nothings there, messing with off game, and the list can go on and on.

If we can't pick up on these mistakes how or we going to correct our dogs, and if the dogs are not corrected, the problem will usually just get worse and worse.

To me, this is the denominator that separates the real houndsmen from the rest of'em.
Being able to read each and every dog out there every time they are in the woods. If a mistake is made, it's corrected right then, otherwise that little mistake can turn into a fault with your dog. My thoughts on the subject. Robbie

Excellent posts! You are very right I think Robbie.