New to Hound Huntin

[tadsoftware]

Hi, my name is Bryan Kowacich and I love hunting. I have started the process of purchasing a Rhodesian Ridgeback and expect to have my puppy with the 2014 year. I am pretty excited and want to get my dog trained in the best way possible.

This seems like a great site for all things Hound Hunting and am also excited to get to know some people.

One thing, is anyone willing to help me train my first dog? I have no experience and though I am willing and able to study and learn and figure things out, having a mentor is always a good thing.

Let me know if you have the time and bandwidth to assist in this effort to train my Rhodesian Ridgeback how to hunt Mountain Lion, Bobcat, Bear, and some other fun stuff. Coyote and fox and such...

[Cowboyvon]

Bandwidth?

[TomJr]

I hate to rain on anyone's parade but if you can get a ridgeback to hunt it will only trail hot trails and/or sight hunt. Ok if you have lots of game...

That said I did do very well with some mixed up mutts (we think they were lab mostly) that were dropped off at our orchard. But then we have lots of foxes and bears coming into the orchard for apples to get them started... I was also trapping (legholds were legal) at that time and took them along so they saw bobcats as well and would tree Fox Bobcat and Bears, never did get them on a lion.

You will do much better getting a scent hound... not saying a ridgeback with the right blood could not run with a trailing type hound and help.

[tadsoftware]

I think you may be a bit confused on the Ridgebacks. They ARE scent hounds, not sight hounds like the bird dogs and such.
Ridgebacks are specifically known for being lion hounds. Not to mention, they are really handsome dogs.

I will get the Ridgeback and I guess I will just have to see what happens. I have been pretty impressed with what I have read so far about them.
I might add a Blood Hound to the pack too.

[merlo_105]

Tadsoftware, Im sorry but Tomjr is right. I see your in Arizona if your serious about getting into hounds talk with the guys who are hunting in Arizona and find out what there using. Is the ridgeback's parents used for hunting if so what other dogs are in the pack. If the parents arent maybe look for some that are if your stuck on that breed. They are a good looking dogs but good looks aint gonna put game in a tree. Like Tomjr said you'll be stuck only with the chance of hot tracks... Aint worth it unless you have game on every corner...