Ron Moore
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Jan 2006
Location: WV
Posts: 821 |
quote: Originally posted by blueticker
Theres different criteria to consider when determining a top track dog. Catching coon regularly on the ground certainly qualifies for a faster type track dog. A hound that keeps a cold track moving at a good pace can also be considered a top track dog but seldom catch a coon. Regardless of how fast, a hound that trees very few slicks can be considered a good track dog. In my first 30 years of coon hunting I always thought I had fast track dogs but seldom would catch a coon. A fast track dog should catch coon regularly. Hills and solid woods will limit the number of coon caught on the ground. When and if you ever get a top fast track dog its difficult to be satisfied with anything less.
Blueticker, I agree with this statement and have 1st hand knowledge on it. I lived in the flat lands and corn fields of Indiana for 9 years. My hounds caught several coon on the ground there even though I didn't consider them as fast track dogs, just good track dogs that were good honest coon dogs. Other than that, I've lived most of my life in WV in the hills, hollers, cut over woods with a lot of vines and brush. BIG difference, coon are usually right next to a tree when the dog opens unless you have a silent dog. I have a very good track dog now and she hasn't caught the 1st coon but it sure don't take her long to get one up a tree. It probably doesn't help that she's an open track dog but not too open. Which brings up another subject. Some dogs will shut up more the further the track goes and some will just keep opening right along. There are so many variables that figure in when it comes to tracking. The one I run now runs with her head up cutting and slashing on a track and making circles to pick up the scent and keeping it going in the right direction at a fast pace. I really enjoy watching a good track dog when you can get close enough to see it. We run flashing lights on our hounds so this time of year when the leaves are down and you can see a distance in the woods, it sure tells you what your dog is doing, right or wrong, lol. IMO, dogs of today are much faster track dogs as dogs past which is a good thing as long as they don't beat the coon to the tree .
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