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explain why .

I like one that opens for what the track is worth.The better the track,the more he opens .I have to be able to keep up with him without electronics.He doesn't have to be a real close track dog but absolutely must he able to run a ducking,dodging cat

AAHH J. C., you are at it again!

What about the Hound who strikes the Track and immediately gives Tongue to the Scent.

However instead of advancing Track to Track, this Hound lifts it's head and proceeds along the Scent trail looking for where the Bobcat has gone. This Hound will be giving Tongue when there is more/stronger Scent at deviations of Said Scent trail...ex: Cat sat down a while, rubbed against a bush, changed Stride or Pace, etc.

This Hound will always be advancing the Track and giving ample Mouth (much more than a semi silent trailer would) for the Hunter and other Hounds to know where the Hound is and the Bobcat is headed. When working in tandem with another Hound of this Style, the Track is advanced to the Jump efficiently and in less time than most "Track to Track" style Hounds!

Just another option on how a Hound can/could move a Track!

Think the ideal answer can change quite a bit based on the scenario at hand. My most open dog is also the coldest and will bark too much on a cold track. This proves to be helpful with a pup in the mix to keep it in there and not off trashing. If she is not advancing I bump her and she will respond. Have a young dog that so far is silent and has moved off leaving the back up in the dust. This is not ideal either unless that dog is alone (for me). Suppose as long as they are packing up and honoring, not barking at the same scent spot excessively, and catching cats all is well. I guess having fun works in there too. I do find it helpful for them to cold trail somewhat open so I can read what is going on and correct from a distance if necessary. I am not shy about correcting on track and have found this to help the hounds work together and move a track more efficiently. Good topic hope to hear more from others.

Although I like a dog like #2 for lion hunting I personally feel for bobcat in this general area you will catch way more cats with dog #3, and dog #4. I would choose 3 because a silent cold trail dog can get away from you and the other dogs quickly. In today's world where just about everybody relies on A Garmin it is not as big a deal but you still stand the chance of having old cold and silent get away from the other dogs so it is not as much fun.

Dog number four I have owned a couple and in rock pile country they catch cats.Number three would work in pinion,juniper country maybe but I would still want four.I would rather see the cat caught or treed than hear dogs barking on a track!!!It is very hard to put a pup in with a silent dog but I have had some luck from time to time.

JMHO, why a hound hunter would have a silent trailing dog defeats the purpose of hunting hounds!! Get a trap, you will catch more cats and you wont have to feed it!!!!!
I personally like a dog that opens when he smells it and is constantly trying to move it forward, by either going track to track or using the wind and opening according to how he smells it.

I would have put another dog in there between dog 2 and dog 3. A dog that barks 1 to 5 barks a minute on a COLD track but only if they are smelling the cat. Enough opening to keep young dogs pulled in on track and give your swinging (jump)dogs a direction to swing. We all have our different preferences for the country we hunt.
Robbie

I'm with South Texan, I vote #2 1/2

I agree with with B n Blue 100%...

Big N' Blue wrote:JMHO, why a hound hunter would have a silent trailing dog defeats the purpose of hunting hounds!! Get a trap, you will catch more cats and you wont have to feed it!!!!!
I personally like a dog that opens when he smells it and is constantly trying to move it forward, by either going track to track or using the wind and opening according to how he smells it.

Blue, we agree on this one! Lots of those tiptoeing cats I write about, hounds whom were open trailers gave almost no mouth! Also hounds that were semi silent most time were for the most very silent on those. However, hunt what one enjoys Al

I am with Mondomuttrunner. I think Big N` Blue and South Texas got it right. I go hunting to hear a race not watch a computer screen.. If I was hunting for money or bragging rights I might choose 3 or 4. Nothing wrong with money or bragging. I like both just not the main reason I hunt. Take care, Larry

I have a couple of all the above . I like having the different styles so I can gage the track. it sure sounds pretty good when dog 3 starts barking because u know that the jump is coming .lol.

jc

Big N' Blue wrote:JMHO, why a hound hunter would have a silent trailing dog defeats the purpose of hunting hounds!! Get a trap, you will catch more cats and you wont have to feed it!!!!!
I personally like a dog that opens when he smells it and is constantly trying to move it forward, by either going track to track or using the wind and opening according to how he smells it.

David,


Mark and I agreed that you aint wright very often, if at all!!!! But we will have to float our boat same as you on this one. JC I didn't cast a vote cause I never know what the hell they are barking at to begin with.

Take care, Willie

JC, I know what you mean about dog 3. I used to have a little redtick gyp that when she opened things were about to happen!! LOL

I guess if Mark and Willie are going to start agreeing with me, I need to re-assess myself!

Big N' Blue wrote:JMHO, why a hound hunter would have a silent trailing dog defeats the purpose of hunting hounds!! Get a trap, you will catch more cats and you wont have to feed it!!!!!
I personally like a dog that opens when he smells it and is constantly trying to move it forward, by either going track to track or using the wind and opening according to how he smells it.

yup ,


has been times ,after running a cat in a hole ,,or even coldtrailing to a hole,, that i wished for that silent trailing dog ,,for a few minutes, i run hounds because i love to hear the race,, the cold trailing is a big part of it---i like them a little on the mouthy side - i dont doubt that a silent trailer could raise % of game caught,,shorten a race -