If you have never gone coonhunting, I would suggest that you go with some local guys that have good hounds. After a hunt or two, you will know if it is your thing or not. If you go with some sorry hounds, it will not be enjoyable. For me... I went with an older guy that had some good hounds, and I was ABSOLUTELY HOOKED before we even made it to the first tree that night!!! His old walker ran a track to catch the coon(and she DID catch them regularly) and was still the most accurate and balanced dog I have ever seen. I hunted with her til the day before she died...
Hunting with dogs was not new to me. I had already trained 3 labs for pheasant/ duck hunting. I hunted rabbits with a friend who owned some very nice beagles.
There is just something awesome about hearing a hound strike a track and turn the silence of night into an awesome race!
I go coon hunting every chance I get, and I love every minute of it. My opinion is that coonhounds have a drive that is unlike any drive I have seen in other breeds. I have hunted pheasant and quail with labs, german shorthairs, brittanys, spaniels... all very good hunters. But around the house they are content to play with the kids, play fetch, laze around, etc. when you take them hunting, they change into hunt mode. My coonhounds have 1 thing on their minds!!! They are ALWAYS in hunt mode! They still love attention around the house, but when I turn them loose, I will find them under a tree!! They are COON CRAZY... and so am I!
_________________ Dave Miller... and Rock River Redbones! 563.499.4055
|