how many beagles?
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I seem to have the best running with 3. Ill sometimes take 4 but thats about the most I want to have on the ground at one time.
6 or 8 sure sound good in a race but I think that sometimes causes them to get too competitive or something because they seem to have more breakdowns/checks.
With 3 dogs they seem to actually run the rabbit instead of just running along with the other dogs.
6 or 8 sure sound good in a race but I think that sometimes causes them to get too competitive or something because they seem to have more breakdowns/checks.
With 3 dogs they seem to actually run the rabbit instead of just running along with the other dogs.
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To each his own but its all about the dogs and the races to me.
Its fine to solo a dog to let him learn to do it on his own but if Im hunting I want a pack on the ground.
I forgot to answer your other question but when I got back into beagles this time I went with young started dogs that I watched run before I bought em.
Good dogs aint cheap, especially this time of year, but my advice would be to buy the best you can afford. Youll be happier in the long run.
If someone is trying to sell you a started or running dog and they wont let you watch it run first, get back in your truck and drive away.
I learned that lesson the hard way. :smack:
Its fine to solo a dog to let him learn to do it on his own but if Im hunting I want a pack on the ground.
I forgot to answer your other question but when I got back into beagles this time I went with young started dogs that I watched run before I bought em.
Good dogs aint cheap, especially this time of year, but my advice would be to buy the best you can afford. Youll be happier in the long run.
If someone is trying to sell you a started or running dog and they wont let you watch it run first, get back in your truck and drive away.
I learned that lesson the hard way. :smack:
I"m with you FB. Seems like the times I've hunted with 6-8 dogs you have more problems with multiple races(if you're in the rabbits) and end up chasing down dogs most of the morning. 2-4 seems like the perfect group with enough noses to strike alot of rabbits and stay together.
when you say a young started dog, does that mean 10 months or more like 2 years old? i am clueless, but would like to get into this. also, how many cussin's should i be prepared to take from bowhunters if i decide to run these dogs on public land? just curious. i see you live in cabot, FB. i do too. do you know anyone local that may have some dogs for sale?
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i always used to run 3 in a pack. seemed to work good for me.
luke:thumb:
luke:thumb:
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I was talking about one that is anywhere from say 5 or 6 months old to a year or year and a half. Started to me means that he knows what a rabbit is and how to run it when its easy, but might have a little trouble with checks, etc. due to lack of experience.
Ive got 3 males that I plan to sell because I have too many and Im going to run mostly females. If you think you might be interested send me a PM and Ill tell you about em.
bowclan is right that you can run and shoot rabbits with only one dog. I just meant that I personally prefer to have 3 or 4 on the ground.
Ive got 3 males that I plan to sell because I have too many and Im going to run mostly females. If you think you might be interested send me a PM and Ill tell you about em.
bowclan is right that you can run and shoot rabbits with only one dog. I just meant that I personally prefer to have 3 or 4 on the ground.
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4 On The Floor Or Depends On The Dogs!!!
I always liked to run 4 dogs at a time, however I love those days when you get multiple races my self.....some dogs just won't pack with others(a hunting buddies dogs)......Always liked to keep males and that may have been one reason why!!!!! Always start with dogs that are already running rabbits......be even better(but not usually recommended by dog experts) to hunt with the dogs before buying......My buddy had a gyp that was a UKC/AKC and every other alphabet winnner,but if you fired a shot that dog would run all the way to Mobile, Alabama........ Now a days dogs are on the fast track......begin following scent trails around the yard at 6 weeks......sent off to the starting pens at 4 months....running rabbits til dark at 6-10 months old....those dogs belong to the folks that are serious about their dogs...I'll bring out a dog that's started on a hunt just to see where he is.......once had a pup that was started and that sucker ran awhile with the pack and then I shot....rabbit was way ahead of the dogs and that pup broke off the trail came to where I was,picked the rabbit up and brought it to my hand like he was a darn Lab.......Always kept Yellow creeks,Redbone & Bluetick beagles...no real reason just like to have dogs that looked different from everyone elses....and always liked to have one dog that was real short and one that was real tall.....I'm sure I had a good reason at the time just can't remember what it was:smack: :biggrin:
I always liked to run 4 dogs at a time, however I love those days when you get multiple races my self.....some dogs just won't pack with others(a hunting buddies dogs)......Always liked to keep males and that may have been one reason why!!!!! Always start with dogs that are already running rabbits......be even better(but not usually recommended by dog experts) to hunt with the dogs before buying......My buddy had a gyp that was a UKC/AKC and every other alphabet winnner,but if you fired a shot that dog would run all the way to Mobile, Alabama........ Now a days dogs are on the fast track......begin following scent trails around the yard at 6 weeks......sent off to the starting pens at 4 months....running rabbits til dark at 6-10 months old....those dogs belong to the folks that are serious about their dogs...I'll bring out a dog that's started on a hunt just to see where he is.......once had a pup that was started and that sucker ran awhile with the pack and then I shot....rabbit was way ahead of the dogs and that pup broke off the trail came to where I was,picked the rabbit up and brought it to my hand like he was a darn Lab.......Always kept Yellow creeks,Redbone & Bluetick beagles...no real reason just like to have dogs that looked different from everyone elses....and always liked to have one dog that was real short and one that was real tall.....I'm sure I had a good reason at the time just can't remember what it was:smack: :biggrin:
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I would get one good older dog that was already running good and 2 to 3 pups. Most pups will start around 5 to 6 months. the biggest problem I have had is not getting them to run but it is getting them to leave the deer alone. If you see the pups running squirrels thats ok they will quit when they get older. Ive been rabbit hunting with dogs for around 30 years and learned that if you get pups from good stock most of the time they will run and make good rabbit dogs if you take them hunting and do not leave them in the pen. good luck! jim
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I run 8. I hunt 98% of the time by myself and never have a problem.It is just a matter of what you like.Less dogs and slower dogs the rabbit will sometimes not run as far
I run three, because that's what I have. I don't think they all necessarily have to be top stock to make a decent bunch of rabbit dogs, others can learn as long as they have a halfway decent nose.
I say that because one of my three has a questionable background - bought him (cheap) for my Dad because he wanted a little dog after his 11 year-old rat terrier died, then Dad got sick and asked me to take the little dog in. He has the body of a beagle, but his head looks more like a collie or something.
He runs rabbits though.
I have done fine with one, and I have done fine with three. It's ALL good, get out there and see what you prefer.
:chug:
I say that because one of my three has a questionable background - bought him (cheap) for my Dad because he wanted a little dog after his 11 year-old rat terrier died, then Dad got sick and asked me to take the little dog in. He has the body of a beagle, but his head looks more like a collie or something.
He runs rabbits though.
I have done fine with one, and I have done fine with three. It's ALL good, get out there and see what you prefer.
:chug:
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I used to rabbit hunt every other day when I was off work. I like to run 3 or 4. I started mine with an old established dog and let her train the new ones. I have had 6 month old dogs join right in with a good established pack.
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