Are we seeing a DECLINE in HOUND HUNTING

[cat and bear]

Wisconsin is full of hound hunters, as we are lucky enough to be able to hunt most anything with dogs, except deer. I wouldnt say there is a decline, seems like there is a few hounds in a lot of guys yards, and lots of dog boxes in trucks. Some of them wanting to play the part . One of the biggest future problems is the wolves, and its driving a lot of guys out of the federal forest, into papermill land, closer to private land's and more conflict in several ways. I would expect to see a decline in the next generation, from all the above, and I do know of a few good young houndmen coming up, but in general, the garmins, and lack of growing up with hunting dogs, and killing game in front of them, I believe it will be a very limited lost art, of being a true houndsmen and hunter.

[Plotts]

I agree with Glen; Idaho seems to have more and more all the time. There was a time when you could count the regional hound hunters on one hand, and everyone knew each other, might not have liked each other, but they knew who each other was....

Now days, you see dog boxes in trucks you have never seen before all the time, and not a clue as to who it is.

[Ankle Express]

Alive and well here in the south!

[CasB]

In my opinion, here in PA hound hunting is a growing sport. Running coyotes with hounds is the fastest growing outdoor pursuit and I believe we'll see an increase in those getting into bobcat hunting. Coon hunters will always be there but numbers will fluctuate with fur prices.

[STUNTMAN]

We are loosing hunting land here.

NYCH- I kind of agree with you. I've been into hounds a very short time compared to some and I've personally seen a huge permission access problem with hound hunting in the east. Saddle that with fuel cost which increases everything from your dog food to your tracking equipment it’s a tough road.

[Skillz]

Here on the north coast of Calif, The cat and bear are overpopulated. I have noticed that the Older houndsmen are droping off. I am seeing a few young new hounds in trucks but not in the woods. I would have to say in my area there declining. Also its mostly private land here. Hard for new hunters to establish hunting spots with out driving 3 hours.

[BEAR HUNTER]

Here in Northern Ca there are a ton of people with hounds. Very few houndsmen anymore. Most of the ones I run into in town/woods I wouldnt associate with. Dont really understand the part about not finding any bear. I didnt go out one time this year where didnt get a bear race going. In fact in four consecutive trips saw 4 crossing the road in front of me. Just got to find where the food is and there you go. The high country did get snowed out early but if you were willing to hunt some of the rougher country there was plent of bear.

[plottpappaw]

lol here in western nort carolina i know of a few ppl thinning down on number of dogs and one or two hanging it up but other than that each pick up comes standard with a dog box. i've even been building a few dog boxes for cars like a honda crv and such. still working on talking my wife into letting me build a dog box for her new ride.

[doghunterme.]

bob i think your right about hunters in the northern part of the state.i have talked to a couple people selling out or going to coyotes.i can see the reasoning for running coyotes with the price of everything.but in the southern part of maine i live in there is a big increase in hound hunters including myself.luckly some of us hunt together.i never imagined that i would spend what i have hunting hounds.we have some youngsters that love going with us .my daughter has a leash around her shoulder every weekend which helps justify the cost for me anyways.

[bob baldwin jr]

Actually I am having a hard time trying to figure out why Coyote hunting with hounds should be cheaper than Bear hunting with hounds .

[doghunterme.]

i dont know because i have never run coyotes on purpose anyways.but i would think you would get more bang for your buck.unlimited hunting season,no bear bait to buy,less dogs,seems like people are always giving away dogs that dont tree but will run the hell out of a coyote,no grief from bait hunters,can ussually find free coyote bait,just seems like everyones always all for running cototes but get red faced about running bear.

[livetohunt]

Yes it was feed or lack of feed for most of the guys I talked to this yr. Lots of the hots spots guys had hunted yr after yr didnt make this yr and it left them looking. Once you found the spots with the feed you were really into some numbers or thats what we seen. We also got to try some new spots that I have pasted up yr after yr and it made for some easy hunting with great bears. I didnt think the snow did much of anything to stop us from hunting this yr not as it has in yrs past. As for the Decline I think its alive and booming here in Northern Cal. I see new rigs every day. And anyone around here that thinks its not, try going up on the westside around deerlick opening weekend you will see more bear hunting rigs up there then any other spot I have ever seen.

[bare_down]

GAS,GAS,GAS need I say more.

[kk]

UT has a lot of new houndsmen and it seems to be growing, but with lion tracks getting harder to find and some big changes coming to our bear hunt. And the price of gas, I think in the years coming we will see a decline in hound hunting.