I have got the itch

[covert]

How many people run there dogs up in the mountains during the summer to keep there dogs in shape. And also do you harvest and any good tip for hunting in the dirt?

[J.T.]

I hunt year round. For me conditions dont really matter unless it is really windy because dry ground is hard especially in dry dusty conditions unless you have super star dogs like some of the others have. I have a decent dry ground red tick and a walker. The walker is fast but tends to over run his nose. The red tick is slower than a Toyota pulling a trailer but he gets there with no problems. Tip number one, keep your dogs hydrated i really think it helps them concentrate on tracking instead of thinking about water. Tip 2 I pay attention to the area I am in and usually make a plan. I plan on walking three to four individual mountains in a day size permitting but that should burn up your whole day at least until almost dark.Tip 3 do alot of homework and then do more home work, while out freecasting the dogs I am looking for the obvious sign and age like scratches, scat, old/new kills, possible dens, tracks left in mud or soft dirt. Alot of land wont show a track because it gets hard after the snow is gone and you cant see it. Tip 4 pray like hell you strike a track or jump a lion out of his bed.
Tip 5 if your finding sign, hit that area up every time you go out and eventually you will get on him. Tip 6 set up trail cams in different areas and see whats using those travelways, dont be affraid to leave a cam out for a month and along ways off a traveled road. Tip 7 have a good light pack with lots of water and good snacks and light magnum powered pistol with decent flashlight and headlight for those chases that end up in the dark.You need good comfortable hiking boots with good ankle support for steep sidehilling and jumping off rocks etc.Tip 8 if you can take a friend that your dogs trust and you can walk more moutains by having him walk one and you pick him up somewhere and then swap. So you dont have to walk back. I hunt the Rubies and they get nasty one walk could mean worn out dogs and you. Dont forget leashes to tie your dogs back if you decide to kill or even release. Good luck and keep up on the homework, I do homework at least once a week. I still have a good time even when I dont catch and try to keep kids involved to preserve the sport.

[covert]

I am just trying to get the wife into it more so. We are new to cat, it not a lot like coon. So there is a bit of a curve for me. I know the areas I elk hunt have a ton of cat it's a little eerie when you a re walking threw the woods and have more cat sign then elk. Or walking a ridge and all you can smell is cat. So I figured why not try to thin a couple out so their are a few less for us to deal with along with the ranchers sheep and calfs. I only know of one person that dry grounds around me and even then he runs coons most of the summer.

[covert]

Thank you for the tips