Hiking to cut tracks

[idahohunter]

I'm new here, have never hunted lions but am looking for a hound and eager to try my hand at it as I love dogs, training them and watching them do what they were bred for.

I hear around here in SE Idaho (and elsewhere) much of the sport is driving through the night hoping to find and camp out on a track until daylight and then letting the hounds go.

Do many of you guys ever find areas that you can't use motorized vehicles and try to cut a track just by hiking? I know it is possible, but are there any guys that do this often and cut tracks regularly (every couple of outings or so.) I'm young and can cover ground. I thought I'd throw this question out there and see what you guys think.

[Brianshounds]

its a good way to hunt when the snow is bad thats when i do a lot of walk hunting, it also is a good time to look for shed horns. works rilly good i have found.

[carlisle]

That used to be the only way I would hunt...it takes awhile to figure out which areas are worth hiking out but i use to hike 4 or 5 drainages a day and I would find a couple tracks a week easily and that was in utah where there arn't any lions...

[DC DOGGIN]

There are lots of lazy and out of shape hunters out there, people dont wanna walk and hunt. They would rather stay in the truck where it's warm and cut tracks, so you will probably find alot of tracks once you know the areas that you need to check. The areas with out alot of raods I would imagine JMO good luck. DC

[wwsmokeydo]

i agree with carlisle if you know you hunting area and its worth the hike then hike it and hike it regualrly. but if you got roads you can cut cut them. in my opinion if you cut a track after workin your a$$ off by hiking its alot more rewarding for you and the pup. jmo

[sheimer]

I hike to cut for tracks a lot. There are a few really good spots in my area that aren't accesible by wheels. I cut a track probably every other outing or so. Sometimes better, sometimes worse. Really tracks are just the icing on the cake. A day out in the woods and working on the handle of my hounds is probably worth more, but a good track never hurts.

Good luck

Scott

[switzie]

Hiking is 80% of my hunting its worked for me for 35 years. keeps you in shape. Doesn't help the beer gut though.

[idahohunter]

Thanks alot for the responses. This is great info. Sounds like it can be done and can be quite effective if you can find the spots. I assume deer and elk wintering areas would be good places to start. Thanks again.

[sheimer]

I assume deer and elk wintering areas would be good places to start.

Between that and lack of other hunters makes for a great mix. Good luck

Scott

[SHADOWHUNTER]

HIKING INTO AN AREA WHERE YOU KNOW CATS ARE IS VERY, VERY EFFECTIVE. JUST LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY!

[travshan]

Hell with hiking.......riding a good jazz honk (mule) is the only way to go!!

[Spokerider]

I'm new here, have never hunted lions but am looking for a hound and eager to try my hand at it as I love dogs, training them and watching them do what they were bred for.

I hear around here in SE Idaho (and elsewhere) much of the sport is driving through the night hoping to find and camp out on a track until daylight and then letting the hounds go.

Do many of you guys ever find areas that you can't use motorized vehicles and try to cut a track just by hiking? I know it is possible, but are there any guys that do this often and cut tracks regularly (every couple of outings or so.) I'm young and can cover ground. I thought I'd throw this question out there and see what you guys think.

Will you be hiking by yourself while looking for a track, or have the hounds along with you.
If you take the hounds, be aware you may put many useless miles on the boots if they are not trash broke and they take off on a trash run. You could spend the day, or even longer finding and collecting them. The terrain you have to hunt is also a consideration...........


Freecasting is my preferred method of hunting, as I too get some exercise. The terrian here is the pacific west coast, steep, rugged, thick, mossy rooty rain forest. I have to be sure that I have enough reserve left in the tank for a race and to get to tree and dogs, after putting on 15 or 20 kms just hiking around. Something you may want to consider and factor in to your hunting style.

[southpaw40]

we do that around here during the week the mountain range above my house dont have roads so we hike them when we hike them i just have the dogs heel behind me if there is snow then if we come accross a track then we put them down thats how we avoid the trash races with the pup

[liontracker]

Get after it. It will be one of the most rewarding things that you can do.

...and you will make your dogs into something far better than just tailgate dogs.

[B-N-Trees]

We have been running roads for the last 7 days and have not seen a track. So I did some walk ins and cut 4 different tracks in the same day... all of which where at least 3 days old. I should have done that from the start and next time out I will and I know where to look.