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Squirrels or coons first?

I have a Mt Cur that I'll be starting this fall. He will be one year old in November. I have always coon hunted with hounds so I have never spent any time with a squirrel dog. I am hoping for this dog to be a good coon dog as well as a squirrel dog. If I had to choose one or the other I would want him to be a coon dog. Squirrels are just a bonus.
So I am wondering what is best to start him on first, squirrels or coon, or does it make any difference? If I want him to make a coon dog should I focus on this first and let the squirrel thing happen along the way? Just looking for your opinions and experience. Thanks

It might just be me but these curs or feist are smarter than any hound and it won't matter what you start them on they should just do it on there own so I'd just pack it to the woods see what happens encourage what like correct what you don't it won't matter what game you start it on jmo

It may not really matter, but I have always had more luck getting a dog that will tree squirrels to start on coon that I have had getting a dog that will tree coon to start on squirrels. I reason it out this way, coons are bigger game than squirrels, if a dog already trees coons, squirrels might seem sort of insignificant to them. So I personally prefer to start 'em on squirrels first. I won't argue with anyone that does it the other way, this way just works best for me or has in the past.

Sq or Coon

Id say if I was gona Squirrel Hunt the Dog id Squirrel hunt him first, this will make him hunt closer to you and not hunt so wide ...

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Well Stanley,this looks like another fine mess you've gotten us into

Ray Hudson

Squirrel

I would start him on whatever I had handy in the daylight to get him treeing. Work him mainly on squirrel until he is getting solid. As you introduce him to coon, continue to squirrel hunt him, and watch closely, very few do both really well and will generally prefer one or the other. Ive made the mistake of coon hunting a young squirrel dog to much. It can create issues if not introduced in the correct doses. Getting wide, not staying put on squirrels. They are all different, you may have one without these issues. I think as long as the dog is acclimated to the dark, will hunt and has the desire to tree, the coon dog part will come. Hunt hard and watch your dog closely. He can teach you more about him, than all of us together. Good luck.

Re: Squirrel

quote:

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Originally posted by bk1977
Hunt hard and watch you dog closely. He can teach you more about him, than all of us together. Good luck.

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