been a tough year here

[twist]

Been a tough yr here from central montana east. Poor conditions along with poor cat populations has made it tough. I would sure like to see cat prices drop to a low and the population rebound. Any other areas having a tough season? Andy

[Dan McDonough]

Population here is holding but why wouldn't it? It takes on average 9-10 years to get a tag to kill one cat. The running has been junk most of this winter with very little snow. I have yet to have to plow my driveway if that tells you anything. Still been getting a fair number of runs when not chasing the kids around. Grey fox population is up a little so that's been helping the fun factor. The lurchers are 2 1/2 years old and are a big help in a lot of situations. Gotta love that collie brain...they are very good at staying on task when I start them on as many as 7 different types of game in the same day. The leopards are out of shape and so am I but huffin and puffin and sweating my way through the woods is still as fun as always. It' will be nice to be back in shape one of these days though. 35 degrees at sunrise today and a light rain. Not your typical Wi. weather in Jan. Heading out reguardless. I don't have as many days to hunt and I have to swing when the pitch is thrown these days.

How about the palins over there? There's cats the dem dar weeds...or so I hear.

[pistol]

Region 1 has been having a real healthy population I've noticed this year. Been seeing a lot more tracks than lion tracks. Not to many guys run bobs up our direction. It's a real rush the first couple weeks when it's kill season but right now its nice the pressure is off. Not to say I'm really catching many haha but they are out there to run.

[scottb]

Been good in Region 2. Seem to be good cat populations, seeing lots of family groups and different age/size cats. Finding cats in spots they haven't been years past and still have them in the spots they always seem to be. On average pretty favorable conditions to make marginal dogs look good, helps me a bunch! Lions seem down, as expected with super high quotas, and wolves are somewhat in check which just means they are not everywhere. Had 1 close call with wolves in R1. Have heard good reports from Region 1 and more difficult reports to the east. Always nice when the quotas fill in R1 and R2.

[dhostetler]

Conditions have been good in NW Montana. Bobcat population is up. Our month of deep snow and below freezing weather finally ended, snow crusted up and lions are back to traveling normally. Getting weekly couple inches of snow. Just another day in paradise.

[oneguy828]

Here in central oregon hunting has been really good. Deep snow has helped in getting even the tough cats to climb. If you can get them jumped they are caught for the most part. Getting around has been the tough part, I am used to going in the afternoons and mornings for quick hunts but conditions don't allow for much of that. It's an all day deal snowmobile, tracks, no pickup hunting here which is a bummer... Having lots of fun and getting some young dogs fired up so I am very pleased with this year so far!

[PAhoundhuntr]

Running here in PA has been really tough, our numbers seem to be up but the condtions sucked. We haven't had any snow at all and the ground is frozen and dry no moisture at all. Season went out today and we did manage to get a dusting. Best of Luck to ya'll.

[al baldwin]

Andy received some good news couple days ago, young hunter I sold a started dog to about four years ago, then later gave him a female six month old pup, named bones. out of Mic O/Brine/s Paige female, from your topper & dot cross. Mic crossed paige with an older dog he bought from me named sounder. This young hunter was having a good season, had caught 9 out of the last 11 jumps, bones not treeing, but staying at the tree with buck & doing a good job on the jump. Said she is a very good box dog, but at a little over two had started boxing coyote. Always a pleasure to hear from a young hunter who enjoys his hounds. As for here I believe Tom has caught between 10 & 12 bobcat & a fox or two, about an average year. Al;

[twist]

Good to hear western Mt is having a good season. Also glad to hear the young hunter is liking the dog you gave him. Its been warm and WINDY here. Been trying to get some going off the box here but that's about like finding a needle in a haystack but dogs are getting out is the good part. Andy