pack size
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Running 7 is more than most people will or can do. You could have a lot of fun with a well-matched group like that. A lot of people think you want a “lead dog”, a “jump dog”, a “check dog”, a “pack anchor”, etc....a pack of specialists. But a really good pack is one who is just a bunch of GOOD hounds who can each DO IT ALL if they get the opportunity. Any of them could get the jump, any the check, any the lead when the opportunity presents itself. In a good pack, there may be a different hound leading each time you see them come around. It’s important all hounds are well-matched for speed so they don’t get strung out. And over time, maybe they can all start to look alike too, but color should not be a primary concern until the other requirements are in place first. Good luck building your pack!
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751 Posts
We run 8. A mix of older and young dogs. Hate to leave any of them in the pen. We only get the opportunity to hunt 1 or 2x a week.
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741 Posts
Yes sir same here , thought about getting 1 or 2 more and run a pack in morning and another in evening, but most of the time im whooped by 1 or 2pm lol
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475 Posts
I’ve only ran pairs for the most part. That’s due to several reasons though, work, where I live, how much time I have to invest in hunting and running, vet expenses, etc.......
I don’t run a kennel, breed dogs or trial them I rabbit hunt.
Now if I had the room, money and time I would certainly have more. However pairs have worked out really good for me for about 25 years or more.
I don’t run a kennel, breed dogs or trial them I rabbit hunt.
Now if I had the room, money and time I would certainly have more. However pairs have worked out really good for me for about 25 years or more.
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2,978 Posts
Once my pups get going I'll have 4. That will be the biggest group of running hounds I've ever had at one time. Add my buddy's 3 in the mix and we will be making some noise!
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5,667 Posts
I only keep 2 right now . I run on my property about 3 or 4 times a week . I don’t have the energy that I use to have LOL . Two is fun for me , more would be work . I can afford 2 better also . I use to have more dogs , that stayed at my nephews house . We were co owners on a few dogs . I still have one at his house . He likes a bigger pack . He was running 8 last year . This year he is down to 5 . He started listening to me a little about getting rid of dogs that are not working with the pack . I love the sound of a big pack of dogs and the sight of a big pack nose to tail running a rabbit . I just like someone else taking care of them and spending money on there needs . I guess that makes me cheap and lazy .
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3,701 Posts
I run 4 by myself. 6 when running with friends. I hunt with 4.
I hunt and run Eastern Cottontail in KS, the hair guys and swamper guys will probably run bigger packs.
I hunt and run Eastern Cottontail in KS, the hair guys and swamper guys will probably run bigger packs.
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2,705 Posts
Good question,
So this is what I think and this is what works well for me.
If the hounds you use are (Good)... which means...(Honest)…(Real)….meaning... (Nothing Fancy, Nothing Special, just a plain ole well rounded little rabbit dog...then... (ONE) is all you need.
You can kill every rabbit it jumps no matter how thick the cover if you are willing to go in their and stomp you down a little spot and when he comes back around BAM!
So with that in mind it depends on what I am doing. Like if I'm finishing out a nice young prospect one on one which is outstanding for a good young dog. They learn me and exactly what I want from them while hunting. When I put them back in a hunting pack you can see a huge difference as they have a confidence about them they did not have prior.
Sometimes I bring (one). Sometimes a brace (two). Sometimes 3 a (trio). Some times a TCP (4). Sometimes (6). Sometimes 8-15. What ever floats my boat.
So the amount of good hounds I bring depends on things like what do I want to accomplish today, what spot we hunting, terrain the cover the lay out of the land and amount of game, the number of people and the expected harvest (reward) etc.
In some spots I can kill more rabbits much quicker with one dog than I can with 3 or more so I bring one and enjoy my good little hound and my day.
Big packs sound better and the thrill and excitement they bring is very enjoyable . There are times I want that rush that thrill of the intense chase the competition. Dogs need to learn to run well in packs.
Truth is some people build a pack because most of what they have is (lacking) in some way.... so it takes a pack of them to do what..... one good dog can do.
Example: You can watch on here and you will see and hear posts like I need a good (lead dog), or I need a good (jump dog), or I'm looking for a good (anchor dog), or I need a good (line running) pack dog or I need a dog that hunts. You will also see people asking things like, " Who, what sire puts HUNT in his pups.
One honest, average, decent little rabbit dog, nothing great or fancy just honest should go dive in the briars hunt and search up under there no matter the discomfort, busy as a bee and should show an animated desire to LOVE IT and jump you rabbit while you sit on the tailgate. They should run and run and run that rabbit ….steady as a clock.... Barking every single breath until you decide to go kill it...... no matter how long that takes.
You start putting 2-3- 5- 12 of that kind on the ground...….well you get the point!
So Quality..... is the # 1 issue for me..... When I have the quality I desire then the sky is my limit.
Fun,Thrill and excitement is # 2..............It ain't fun if it ain't steady.
Run what makes you happy...Do the best you can where your at with what you got and keep reaching for better and most importantly thank GOD for it all.
So this is what I think and this is what works well for me.
If the hounds you use are (Good)... which means...(Honest)…(Real)….meaning... (Nothing Fancy, Nothing Special, just a plain ole well rounded little rabbit dog...then... (ONE) is all you need.
You can kill every rabbit it jumps no matter how thick the cover if you are willing to go in their and stomp you down a little spot and when he comes back around BAM!
So with that in mind it depends on what I am doing. Like if I'm finishing out a nice young prospect one on one which is outstanding for a good young dog. They learn me and exactly what I want from them while hunting. When I put them back in a hunting pack you can see a huge difference as they have a confidence about them they did not have prior.
Sometimes I bring (one). Sometimes a brace (two). Sometimes 3 a (trio). Some times a TCP (4). Sometimes (6). Sometimes 8-15. What ever floats my boat.
So the amount of good hounds I bring depends on things like what do I want to accomplish today, what spot we hunting, terrain the cover the lay out of the land and amount of game, the number of people and the expected harvest (reward) etc.
In some spots I can kill more rabbits much quicker with one dog than I can with 3 or more so I bring one and enjoy my good little hound and my day.
Big packs sound better and the thrill and excitement they bring is very enjoyable . There are times I want that rush that thrill of the intense chase the competition. Dogs need to learn to run well in packs.
Truth is some people build a pack because most of what they have is (lacking) in some way.... so it takes a pack of them to do what..... one good dog can do.
Example: You can watch on here and you will see and hear posts like I need a good (lead dog), or I need a good (jump dog), or I'm looking for a good (anchor dog), or I need a good (line running) pack dog or I need a dog that hunts. You will also see people asking things like, " Who, what sire puts HUNT in his pups.
One honest, average, decent little rabbit dog, nothing great or fancy just honest should go dive in the briars hunt and search up under there no matter the discomfort, busy as a bee and should show an animated desire to LOVE IT and jump you rabbit while you sit on the tailgate. They should run and run and run that rabbit ….steady as a clock.... Barking every single breath until you decide to go kill it...... no matter how long that takes.
You start putting 2-3- 5- 12 of that kind on the ground...….well you get the point!
So Quality..... is the # 1 issue for me..... When I have the quality I desire then the sky is my limit.
Fun,Thrill and excitement is # 2..............It ain't fun if it ain't steady.
Run what makes you happy...Do the best you can where your at with what you got and keep reaching for better and most importantly thank GOD for it all.
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741 Posts
good post!
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223 Posts
I’m with Spini 4 is enough for me at one time. The best running for me is with 3 or 4 dogs on the cottontail. Me and a couple buddies will always raz each other on who has the best dog and when we all run together we each bring “ the best dog we have”, and that usually turns in to the worst days of running I have all year but I do enjoy getting out with my buddies so it’s worth it!
We hunted 9 last Friday. We had some of the best runs I've had lately.( ran last one stiff) I most of the time run 4-6. while training I like to brace or trio.
My best runs usually comes from a pack that contains a lead dog. The next dog can cut him some. the next hound can cut them. and then an anchor hound that you can't pull over.
I suppose , I could always want more hunt. But my pack doesn't need more hunt. The only one that doesn't hunt good is the lead dog. And its ok . He's extremely rabbit wise. and Carries us through tough times and areas.
My best runs usually comes from a pack that contains a lead dog. The next dog can cut him some. the next hound can cut them. and then an anchor hound that you can't pull over.
I suppose , I could always want more hunt. But my pack doesn't need more hunt. The only one that doesn't hunt good is the lead dog. And its ok . He's extremely rabbit wise. and Carries us through tough times and areas.
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741 Posts
wow 16-20, bet thats a nice roar!
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3,701 Posts
Same, I only keep 4 adults. I don't like leaving anything at home either.
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418 Posts
Hunt 4 when alone and if with a buddy I take my best 3 and he takes 3 for a six pack.
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