Back in the game , New here .

[Spevin]

Hello , I used to run hounds many , many moons ago . After the family dog died , ( shepherd lab mix ) we decided to get a new dog .We bought a blue heeler/bluetick pup .Never expected to hunt her. Was I ever wrong . She is a couple of years old now and in the past two weeks got in a bobcat scrap and got her first battle wound , treed two coons (shot one) , all just going on our daily walks . She is a silent trailer and loves the hunt . I'm training her now and I would like to run bobcat with her . Any advice or encouragement greatly appreciated .

[david]

there sure have been some amazing dogs that were part hound/part herd dog; I mean amazing. Not that all of them are, but the potential is certainly there. Put her where there is game and keep your gun handy. She is already started. Go hunting.

You live in the state that probably has more bobcat hunters than any other. Try to find one you can go with. Normally you can't expect to bring a dog, so plan on leaving it home. But a silent, well behaved heeler might get an invitation, you never know.

It is a lot of money, but if you can put away enough for a Garmin tracking system, it could be a tremendous aid to you. The problem with silent dogs is you don't know where they are or what they are doing. If you want her to track bobcat, she will be leaving you. She could easily be a half mile from you or more, if she gets motivated at it. It would give you confidence to let her do that if you can see where she is on your Garmin.

If you want to hunt coon and squirrel, you could easily do it without the Garmin.

Get her broke off deer and go hunting.