Registered: Mar 2013
Location:
Posts: 7

Looking to get a puppy to start coon hunting with my kids. Familiar and experienced with dogs and hounds, but this will be my first go at a coonhound. Coon hunted some when I was young, but I am basically starting from scratch. My kids, daughter 8 and son 5, love being outdoors and have been on their fair share of hunting adventures thus far. Used to run a pack of hog dogs and loved it, but too much and too dangerous to involve the little ones. I have also trained a lab to a finished and titled level. Only saying to express that I am not a novice around dogs, just around coon hounds haha.

I feel like starting with a pup and involving the kids in the training process will be the way to go. I had plott hounds before as hog dogs and really enjoyed/was impressed with them, but am not partial to a certain breed. I plan to order Walk with Wicks to read and already have a Garmin Astro 320 with a DC50 collar. Have the basics of boots, chaps, dog box, and lights.

Hope to get a pup in the late winter/spring and work to try and have running next fall. Thoughts, experience, pointers.... all accepted and appreciated. Sorry to start so vague and open ended, but figured I needed to start somewhere....

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

Start with a dog that is already running and treeing for your first dog. When you have some experience with coonhounds, then get a pup. Experienced coonhunters have problems with pups. It is tuff for a brand new coon hunter to try and start right out with one.

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Registered: Aug 2017
Location: Fyffe Alabama
Posts: 77

Just my opinion here.... forget a pup and buy you a an old dog maybe 8 or 9 years old that trees coons and is tone broke to come in when you want him to. You can find one usually about the same price as a good bred pup and if you are taking kids hunting they will stay more interested with that kind of dog.

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

quote:

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Originally posted by Greg Coots
Just my opinion here.... forget a pup and buy you a an old dog maybe 8 or 9 years old that trees coons and is tone broke to come in when you want him to. You can find one usually about the same price as a good bred pup and if you are taking kids hunting they will stay more interested with that kind of dog.

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Registered: Aug 2006
Location: milan,mi
Posts: 1378

Forget the pup for now. Cut your teeth on an old dog for a year. If you still have the itch then scratch it with a pup. Jmho

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Registered: Mar 2013
Location:
Posts: 7

My reasoning for wanting to go pup was because I have purchased finished and started dogs (not coon dogs) before, some worked abdbsome didn’t, and I feel like there is a lot to say for the bond one creates during the upbringing and training process. At the same time, I completely understand where everyone is coming from and the reasons behind it.

What’s the longevity on an average coon hound as far as picking up what most refer to as a “pup trainer” to hunt? I know that is a loaded question as well as each dog is different. What to look for in buying one? Best route to pursue in finding one.... other than classifieds here of course . Also I am located in the low country of South Carolina, would an older experienced dog not used to flat, swampy areas have an issue making the transition?
Thank you gentlmen for the help and your time

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Weyers Cave Va
Posts: 13408

I think most are saying to get an older broke dog because of the kids. With a pup the kids may get discouraged quickly going time after time and not treeing anything...

On the other hand it is very exciting to watch a pup progress each time out and treeing its first coon leaves you with a memory for LIFE.

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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 890

I don't care how good he sounds over the phone...Don't take it without going to the woods at least one night. The majority for sale on here are probably not what you want, but txt messages and phone calls back and forth will make you think your really getting something when good chance you'll end up not happy.

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Registered: Mar 2013
Location:
Posts: 7

quote:

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Originally posted by RatDog
I don't care how good he sounds over the phone...Don't take it without going to the woods at least one night. The majority for sale on here are probably not what you want, but txt messages and phone calls back and forth will make you think your really getting something when good chance you'll end up not happy.

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Registered: Mar 2013
Location:
Posts: 7

quote:

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Originally posted by HOBO
I think most are saying to get an older broke dog because of the kids. With a pup the kids may get discouraged quickly going time after time and not treeing anything...

On the other hand it is very exciting to watch a pup progress each time out and treeing its first coon leaves you with a memory for LIFE.

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Registered: Sep 2016
Location: NC
Posts: 110

What part of SC.

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Registered: Mar 2013
Location:
Posts: 7

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike Mckinney
What part of SC.

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Registered: Oct 2016
Location: Huntsville, Missouri
Posts: 371

IMO most kids when they are out hunting want to tree coons. Which is basically the opposite of what you do with pups.

Where the red fern grows is cute but when the kids won’t go with you anymore because that endearing pup is running trash or not running anything, it isnt much fun. Kids don’t want a project. They want coons In trees. They want action. They don’t care if that pup out of insane triple x is promising or not.
Now if it is really about you and your project, that is something entirely different.
I don’t think most kids even care if it is your dog. I would find someone who will let me tag along and get some fur out to hounds and see how kids like it. I would go to a club and see what people are hunting. Everyone has too many dogs so that is where I’d start.

I like hunting pups but I have kids so I don’t. I can’t have too many projects going at once in the woods and an old known dog is a known quantity. I try to take as many variables out of a good time as possible.
Most people on here ask for advice and then just do what they want to, so good luck with your pup. I’d pick something out of tree stock if you dont have a pup trainer.

Last edited by Cliff Thornburg on 12-10-2018 at 12:32 AM

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

I'd second all the above advice about getting a trained dog, and I'd go a step further. Seek out an experienced coonhunter in your area and tag along a few times. If possible, have him go with you and look at a couple seasoned dogs to help you make your buying decision.
A good place to start would be looking at upcoming events, and going to a local hunt. Just walk up and introduce yourself, and maybe tag along on a hunt as a spectator. Coonhunters are some of the best people in the world, and most would be happy to help you get started. A grizzled veteran as a mentor will save you tons of hours of frustration.

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Registered: Sep 2017
Location: Elkins,WV
Posts: 61

I definitely agree with starting out with a dog already trained for 2 reasons. One is it's a lot easier to train a pup with another dog. Second reason is no matter what bloodline they're from and no matter how much work and training you put into a pup sometimes they don't workout. Coonhounds are a little different than other hunting dogs as far as training, I think some are natural and some will never do anything no matter what

If you buy a started dog definitely see it in in the woods before any money changes hands. Unfortunately there are lots of crooked dog traders that won't hesitate to lie and take your money.

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Registered: Mar 2013
Location:
Posts: 7

Thanks to everyone who took the time to response. I am now reconsidering my starting point and switching gears on the direction I want to go as far as finding a dog. If anyone else has anything to add, please do!!

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Registered: Feb 2013
Location:
Posts: 839

quote:

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Originally posted by trkrmsy


If you buy a started dog definitely see it in in the woods before any money changes hands. Unfortunately there are lots of crooked dog traders that won't hesitate to lie and take your money.

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Registered: Jan 2016
Location: sc
Posts: 160

Being where you live a decent pup shouldn’t be too hard to start, thick coons in that part of the state but I suggest going with the old dog route and buying a pup to start along side of it

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Registered: Aug 2006
Location: milan,mi
Posts: 1378

You asked about age and longevity. Start around a 7 year old or 8 and you should get 2 to 4 years as long of great hard hunting unless a comp hunter has ran the wheels off. Jmho

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Registered: May 2009
Location: maplerapids mi.
Posts: 199

my opinion ..find a coon club in your area and hook up with a few members everyone likes to take new folks and kids hunting and see if its for you before you spend your hard earned money

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