question about starting young dogs on bobcat

[david72]

Is it a good idea to start young dogs on feral cats if you want them to run bobcats also does anyone run bobcats in wv

[Mike Leonard]

You may wish to check out this link.


http://biggamehoundsmen.com/CatTraining1.php

[Dads dogboy]

david72,

Mr. Mike can give you lots of help with the style of bobcat hunting you will be doing in WV.

Dad says that starting your hounds on feral Cats is OK. Be careful about trapping house Cats as some one will surely turn you in to Animal Rights or Protection Organiztions and cause you lots of trouble.

CJC

[RandTMcKnight]

So how old is too old too train with that method Mike ?

[Mike Leonard]

How old? Well I guess if you had a two year old or a three year old that you never got going on cats before if they had the potential go for it. You can make it as easy or as challenging as you wish if you got some country to go play in.

I have made tap trails and gone over several miles of rugged country and come back 36 hours later and let the dogs try that. Conditions can mess you up but when you have dogs that are consistantly taking a 24 hour old track and putting an end on it you are probably ready to go chase the real thing. In fact some conditions won't let a trail last that long but you might be surprized what the right pups can do. Don't expect to run wild bobcat tracks that are 12 or more hours old and usually you are wetting the wind when you even try that unless you have ideal conditions. This method however also works for lion hounds and there is the case you may find yourself faced with a pretty old starting point and that is the best you are going to get so you have to go to work.

When I am really getting past the early parts of this and progressing to older trails I impliment a few different strategies for the lion work. This simple stick training however will get your young dogs on the trail and it will also reveal the progress you are making or the possible re-adjustments you may have to invest in to ensure your ultimate success.


Have fun!