Hello All

[Bluebill]

Hi. I'm new to the forum and new to hound hunting. I have an 11 month old plot named skunk who is from the shamrock line. I plan to hunt bob cat with him and have got him started. We have chased 4 or 5 cats now but haven't caught any. He has the want to but the terrain and snow hasn't treated us well. Each time we have lost the cat in large rock piles which I think would be a challenge for any dog. I have lots of questions as I have very limited experience. Hoping for some advice from guys who run cats in rough terrain. I also cage trap and have let him track up caught cats and I get the feeling he has definitely got the fire.
Until next time. Bill

[sky]

Welcome , best of luck on those bobs, sounds like you have that pup on the right program.

[Bluebill]

Thanks for the welcome. I have a question about how far off the track dogs typically run. I have been following tracks until we jump the cat and then turn the dog loose. The dog starts off on the track and often runs off the track quite a ways (30 yards). Some times I have to help him get back on. Do more mature dogs follow the track closer?

[cobalt]

Sounds like you have a nice prospect. On a jumped cat, I think 90 ft. is pretty far off track, esp. in snow. I would just keep throwing him on tracks and helping him less. Expect him to do a lot better when he is 2 or older. Good luck.