Registered: Jan 2016
Location:
Posts: 589

I have not had a coon hound now for several years. I still go with my best friend occasionally. I do have a few hare hounds and have not been without at least 1 running hound for over 41 years. When I had coon hounds and was traveling the circuit some here in northern New England, the majority of the hounds being entered were first and foremost pleasure hounds. The competition hunts gave us a chance to meet new folks and compare our hounds in the hunts at night.

So how many of you folks still pleasure hunt? If you do, do you take the same dog to the woods to pleasure hunt as you do to the competition hunts? If not, why not? Based on the number of dogs I've seen my buddy go through in the last 13 years to find a good pleasure dog, I'm of the impression that good pleasure dogs are near non-existent. We both like a dog that is fully open on the ground, has at least a medium nose, that can move a track giving voice according to the condition of the track and that has the coon at the end. We also like a dog that checks in every 20-30 minutes if it's not finding game. Where we live a dog that won't check in is NO FUN to hunt!

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Dan

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Registered: Oct 2004
Location: Clarksville, AR
Posts: 1074

They're still out there, but now folks call them Mountain Curs, lol. I'm in the process of weaning myself off of hounds, and the reality for me is that I don't have the time, patience, or land access to hunt hounds anymore. Maybe I'm getting old, or maybe I'm getting irritable, or maybe I'm finally able to call a spade a spade. Whatever it is, I haven't been able to find a hound without huge, serious, disqualifying type holes in years now. They're rare as unicorns. And if you find one, it takes thyroid pills or has reoccurring bouts of tick diseases. I recently sold out of a partnership on a Walker female that could compete anywhere, anytime. Treed as many coons as any dog I've ever seen. But I hated her. Barked in the box, barked in the pen, paced in her crap, pulled on the leash, chewed her house and water bucket, etc... I just got to the point that no amount of god-given ability was worth dealing with her.
Now the curs are different. Hunt for you, not across the county from you. Handle. Listen. Eat less, bark less, crap less. I may get back into hounds, may buy one tomorrow. But I really like what I'm finding in the curs. Alot of the good traits missing from most hounds are still there, and still being actively bred for and sought after...

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Registered: Aug 2013
Location: Seneca, Mo
Posts: 5823

Most everybody pleasure hunts what they comp hunt and many are trained while pleasure hunting to fit competition. Re-cutting off trees and don't come back until called in would be the main things. There are those that are training dogs to never shut up (think first strike and carrying it) or wide open as you call it and I find it unusual it is something you want in a dog that you will just pleasure hunt. Plenty of comp hunters still want a dog that opens here and there, not still mouth, as it is moving a coon and not listen to a bunch of unnecessary barking. And just like those that just pleasure hunt, pleasure/comp hunters still prefer accuracy. And pleasure hunters can say they don't care if dogs run and tree as a pack but I don't buy it because they still want their dog to be leader of the pack and first to tree. Want they want is their buddies not so independent dogs to be second and not split eliminating the walking time split trees.

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Seneca , MO
(417)317-4815
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*NATIONAL GRNITECH GRCH GRNITECH(5) HALL OF FAME PKC PLATIUM CH REDNECK BACKWOODS SHACK
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*PKC WORLD CHAMPION PLATNIUM CHAMPION GRNITECH SHACK'S HEATHER ISLAND SOUTHERN STOGIE
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Registered: May 2012
Location: Amerika land of the free?
Posts: 1237

Hey man you are describing my Extra Trashy Depression Era Sportsmen hounds to a T. except most of mine are pretty cold nosed but can move a cold track and have the coon 2 of my gyps did that tonight. Got a nice Video.

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Registered: Feb 2010
Location: Fairmont WV
Posts: 357

Most leopard hounds/curs would fill your needs. They are open trailers and have decent noses on them, the only thing I really didn’t care much about them was that they liked to pack. The ones I had also hunted medium but handled like a dream. I had a couple from the midwestern strain

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Registered: Jan 2016
Location:
Posts: 589

Last thing I want is a loose mouth hound. What I said was a hound that is fully open, meaning not silent or semi-silent and one that opens according to the condition of the track. Big difference between the automatic strike dog and one that opens according to the conditions of the track.

I enjoy hearing a cold nosed hound work up an old track into a running track followed by an honest tree where the coon is seen.

My buddy has purchased or tried out a number of hounds that carry Nite Champion titles that were next to useless where we live and hunt. The majority of these dogs having a 4 figure price tag attached.

We are both intrigued by the leopard hounds and would be interested in seeing a good one or two go at some point.

Not knocking competition hounds..............just saddened by what I have seen locally and by what I read if the descriptions are accurate.

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Dan

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Redneck Mafia, how do you train one not to shut up? I am not being a wise guy. But asking a serious question. I know things we didn't do in the old days to prevent this. Such as hunting them to young when they couldn't keep up or turing out of the truck constantly on hot coon you see on the road.

How many of you have now seen the in-between dog. It doesn't babble off the chain but once it makes their first honest strike, doesn't shut up till it trees a coon that is probably not the one it first smelled.

I keep thinking we are trying to hold on to Grand Pa's standards while hunting todays hounds. Unfortunately the genetics of the dogs today, doesn't line pup with Grand Pa's genetics.

The older generation of hunters are getting like the older generation of hounds. They are either sadly leaving this earth, quitting or hardly hunting anymore. I am in that category but I am still here for now, slowing down a lot and about giving in to some nonsense I never thought I would with the hounds. My main goal and it will never change is. Them having a Coon when they tree and not being mean when they tree. Someday soon the rules will be changed and the strike will not be worth much and probably equal to all dogs. The coon in the tree will be the only thing that counts.

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Registered: Jan 2013
Location: Marietta
Posts: 10790

I am really blessed in that I have several freinds that have been in the stud buisness a long time. I never have to worry about having a good reproducing stud to breed to or a good quality pup given to me. And most if hunted properly make good honest coon treers. Most big winning winners are coon treers. too ! But they have been man made to do things to fit the rules also. Most would not suit a pleasure hunter at all. And most old doggies like me could not keep up with them. Mine had hackberryitus last night amazing after a good spanking how quick they can find a coon.



Tar

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Registered: Feb 2012
Location: airville,pa
Posts: 2072

Bruce the day the rules change and strike doesn't account for anything will be a sad day.
It sounds like your friend has found out the expense way that the right dog for the right person is very important.

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Registered: Aug 2013
Location: Seneca, Mo
Posts: 5823

Bruce they hold them back petting them up when other dogs are cut in front of them and when cut they leave barking. When done consistantly when young they get a dog that is wide open in the woods that can be tuned back to not leave barking but when immediately out of site or some just want them to never shut up. Some of us it drives crazy others see it as a cast winner when it ends parked under coons.

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Cheyenne & Jennifer Cummings
Seneca , MO
(417)317-4815
"TEAM MAFIA"
*NATIONAL GRNITECH GRCH GRNITECH(5) HALL OF FAME PKC PLATIUM CH REDNECK BACKWOODS SHACK
2014 OK STATE CH, 2015 MO PKC LEADER, 2016 PKC NATIONALS SEMIFINALIST, 2016 UKC TOP 20, 2O17 UKC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 3RD PLACE, 2018 PKC SENIOR SHOWDOWN TRUCK HUNT FINAL 4, 2018 MO PKC STATE CHAMPION, 2019 AUTUMN OAKS NATIONAL GRNITE CH, 2019 PKC WORLD CH SEMIFINALIST. 2021 PKC SENIOR SHOWDOWN TRUCK HUNT FINAL 4.
*PKC WORLD CHAMPION PLATNIUM CHAMPION GRNITECH SHACK'S HEATHER ISLAND SOUTHERN STOGIE
2021 OKLAHOMA STATE CHAMPION, 2022 PKC WORLD CHAMPION, 2022 MO PKC STATE LEADER PRO SPORT TRUCK WINNER

RIP
*GRNITECH PKC SCH REDNECK MAFIA PKC HALL OF FAME REPRODUCER INDUCTED 2022
*GRNITECH CH PKC SILVER CH REDNECK SHACK ATTACK aka TAC 2018 OKLAHOMA STATE CHAMPION, 2020 MO PKC STATE LEADER

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Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1513

The dogs l comp hunt have to be my pleasure dogs also. I pleasure hunt way more than l comp hunt. Not saying they are not competitive because of the way this may read. They better run what is available to them up close before they head out further. Also l like them to be independent and mine are. I wont keep a straight up Me Too Dog..

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Registered: Dec 2012
Location:
Posts: 54

I sure enjoy reading all the different views about silent, wide open, medium trailers, and so on. Ive been comp hunting now over 45 yrs. And this strike thing has always been a strong subject throughout tbe comp hunts. I agree with Bruce on this subject. UKC I believe has always tried to figure out the best way and are closer than the other clubs. I hunt all 3 and enjoy them all. When ask about this IMO it depends what you are hunting and how bad you wanna win. If The strike is equal to the tree, then you may as well be ready your gonna hear a lot of noise. So go the hunts with your fine hound and just enjoy hunting your hound that you like to unleash. Maybe someday the clubs will find a way to meet the best for all. I know some will say just minus them and you can and you'll get out voted and the non hunting judges will just say they are carrying it on out. However don't stop doing what you enjoy doing with your hounds, its not something new.

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Registered: Aug 2014
Location:
Posts: 162

How many coon hunters think it is truly a pleasure to hunt while training a comp dog to fit the rules of todays hunts?

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Registered: Aug 2014
Location:
Posts: 162

How many coon hunters think it is truly a pleasure to hunt while training a comp dog to fit the rules of todays hunts?

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Registered: Jul 2014
Location: IOWA
Posts: 958

I enjoy the pleasure dog and pleasure hunting. Hunted Sunday night for 6 hours and made 2 dens, 2 slicks, and 13 singles. It took me 5 years to find this caliber of a hound.. The compatition hunts dont do to much for me now a days like it did in the 80's and 90's

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Registered: Aug 2014
Location:
Posts: 162

what's the difference in now and then for you in the comp. hunts?

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1542

Are you talking about a hound that hunts out 150-500 yards. Opens when they smell coon scent and then again when they have it figured out which way it's going? Then open enough to tell you they still have it and where they're at so you don't have to get out the beep-beep or TV screen to know? Bawling as they go and the warmer it gets the more they tell you? When it climbs they let you know with a nice long locate, then check the tree to be sure it didn't go on and come back with a nice steady chop? All the while as you set on the tailgate with the Grandkids and enjoy some treats Grandma packed or if you're by yourself you are setting on a log, next to a creek enjoying the stars above? And is this hound about 65-75 pound male with a nice square head, long ears, about 25-26 inches tall with pleasing eyes and a personality that everyone is their friend? And he doesn't care if you road him, walk him or just cast him, he has brains to check in if there's no coon at the drop?

I was just wondering because if it is then my Zach out of GrCh GrNiteCh PR Hoyle Creek Screamer and NiteCh PR Hoyle Creeks Red Ruby is a pleasure hound.

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Registered: Nov 2014
Location: decatur, Indiana
Posts: 225

Old timer from the sounds of it u have my kinda hound in ur kennel. U just described it to a T. Hard to find one like that anymore. Enjoy him while he lasts.

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Registered: Jan 2016
Location:
Posts: 589

quote:

---

Originally posted by OLD TIMER
Are you talking about a hound that hunts out 150-500 yards. Opens when they smell coon scent and then again when they have it figured out which way it's going? Then open enough to tell you they still have it and where they're at so you don't have to get out the beep-beep or TV screen to know? Bawling as they go and the warmer it gets the more they tell you? When it climbs they let you know with a nice long locate, then check the tree to be sure it didn't go on and come back with a nice steady chop? All the while as you set on the tailgate with the Grandkids and enjoy some treats Grandma packed or if you're by yourself you are setting on a log, next to a creek enjoying the stars above? And is this hound about 65-75 pound male with a nice square head, long ears, about 25-26 inches tall with pleasing eyes and a personality that everyone is their friend? And he doesn't care if you road him, walk him or just cast him, he has brains to check in if there's no coon at the drop?

I was just wondering because if it is then my Zach out of GrCh GrNiteCh PR Hoyle Creek Screamer and NiteCh PR Hoyle Creeks Red Ruby is a pleasure hound.

---

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Dan

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Registered: Feb 2015
Location: Ohio
Posts: 572

There are good pleasure hounds around. I happen to be lucky enough to own one. To me accuracy and handle are what's most important. I also like an open trailing hound with a good locate and sense enough to check and make sure he's right. I don't care for a hound that checks back in or hunts close though. Nor do I like to chase down or have to catch one. Thats where a toning collar comes in for me. There are a few things that I can let slip if accuracy and handle are there, but me too-ing isn't one of them. Mine happens to be a big bobtailed Leopard. Not sure where you are but if you want to see him go in Ohio let me know.

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Registered: May 2012
Location: Amerika land of the free?
Posts: 1237

quote:

---

Originally posted by OLD TIMER
Are you talking about a hound that hunts out 150-500 yards. Opens when they smell coon scent and then again when they have it figured out which way it's going? Then open enough to tell you they still have it and where they're at so you don't have to get out the beep-beep or TV screen to know? Bawling as they go and the warmer it gets the more they tell you? When it climbs they let you know with a nice long locate, then check the tree to be sure it didn't go on and come back with a nice steady chop? All the while as you set on the tailgate with the Grandkids and enjoy some treats Grandma packed or if you're by yourself you are setting on a log, next to a creek enjoying the stars above? And is this hound about 65-75 pound male with a nice square head, long ears, about 25-26 inches tall with pleasing eyes and a personality that everyone is their friend? And he doesn't care if you road him, walk him or just cast him, he has brains to check in if there's no coon at the drop?

I was just wondering because if it is then my Zach out of GrCh GrNiteCh PR Hoyle Creek Screamer and NiteCh PR Hoyle Creeks Red Ruby is a pleasure hound.

---

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Registered: Jan 2016
Location:
Posts: 589

quote:

---

Originally posted by DFred
There are good pleasure hounds around. I happen to be lucky enough to own one. To me accuracy and handle are what's most important. I also like an open trailing hound with a good locate and sense enough to check and make sure he's right. I don't care for a hound that checks back in or hunts close though. Nor do I like to chase down or have to catch one. Thats where a toning collar comes in for me. There are a few things that I can let slip if accuracy and handle are there, but me too-ing isn't one of them. Mine happens to be a big bobtailed Leopard. Not sure where you are but if you want to see him go in Ohio let me know.

---

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
Posts: 22462

Oh my goodness, check in after 30 minutes? My dogs are a mile deep in 30 minutes.

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Registered: Apr 2015
Location: church hill tn
Posts: 5637

If you have a pleasure dog, you will know! If the dog/s a pleasure to hunt night in and night out, there you go. If you aren't having fun/pleasure hunting a dog, then it's not a pleasure dog, pretty simple. Lol. Dave

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Registered: Aug 2014
Location:
Posts: 162

I have a male hound that will be three in a couple weeks and I am having a blast hunting him: open the kennel he"ll go get in the box take him hunting trees coons put the lead on him and drop it and he follows me to the truck if he winds a coon on the way back to the truck he will whine or open but won't go until I remove the lead when we get home open the box he step out on the tail gate I remove the collar he goes and gets in the kennel for me it"s a pleasure hound!and my best friend.

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