Rolly,I agree with lots of what you said,but it ain't rocket science, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif,You just need one awesome dog,lots of cats to hunt, willingness to not sleep for three months,strong lungs,good boots ,and lots of heart.I hunt with a partner,and between us we run 2 dozen "good dogs".Out of the whole pack,only 4 will put up and hold a bobcat every time.Lion dogs are a dime a dozen,I won't feed a cowdog that can't put up a lion.But bobcats are smaller,and don't leave as much scent,also they will run like a rabbit,and rock up the first chance they get.A good bobcat dog needs brains,and they get them from huntin alot.
The best advice I can give is buy an honest dog to start with or you may spend lots of time chasing hounds and not killin any cats.Beware that honest bobcat dogs are not cheap.Our cats last year were about 400$ on the average,dogs that can catch them consistently will cost you.I would not sell my good dog for less than 3000$.I looked at a bobcat stike dog a few days ago for 6000$.Not trying to spook anyone out of the game,but 1 out of 100 hounds will be an honest bobcat dog.We have been lucky to start good pups with good finished dogs.We put over 20 bobcats in front of shooters last year with our dogs.
Silent dogs will put more bobs in front of the gun,but you need good tracking collars.Our best to dogs are silent until they "jump the cat",then all [beeep] breaks loose.We also walk in with our cat hounds on every track.Walkin out your cat tracks will teach you alot about cats and how the dogs work them.
