How fresh does a track have to be.
How fresh does a track have to be.
I was wondering how fresh a bobcat track has to be for a dog to run it. I have two hounds that are good with coon and I have had them run barn cats just as good. When I take them to the mountain, I have came accross cat tracks that have been made overnight in the snow sometime, but they don't seem to strike on them much. I've read that some lion tracks can be 10 hrs old and the dogs run them. Any input?
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high desert hounds
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Re: How fresh does a track have to be.
A track that was made over night is considered a screaming hot track. In the snow you should run a track that is a couple of nights old. From what you said in your post it sounds like your dogs just don't know that bobcats are game for them yet. keep trying and once they tree one it will be game on. Good luck
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BULLMASTER
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Re: How fresh does a track have to be.
I don't think the dogs know that there good game. I would get them on the ground and start them there and once they realize thats what they are supposed to run they may start striking. But if the track is over night in the snow it is very catchable.As for striking from the box you might have crappy tracking conditions also.And the scent might not be rising.
GOOD LUCK KEEP TRYING
GOOD LUCK KEEP TRYING
THE HOUND IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE HUNTER, THE MORE GAME YOU SHOW IT THE MORE IT WILL CATCH!
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pat_kemp
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Re: How fresh does a track have to be.
Id have to say also an overnighter is a hot track. But i have also ran a 2 to 5 day old track and got lucky and they went over the hill and either struck him fresher one of his circles or jumped it because he was layed up in some ledges. So me if i cant find a fresh one ill run an old one lol you never know if you get him.
Pat
Pat
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liontracker
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Re: How fresh does a track have to be.
Try walking them down the track aways - I'll bet they'll fire.
Re: How fresh does a track have to be.
get with someone who has a dog that will trail them well and get yours in on a tree. if it is not too bad of ground jump the cat out and just let yours go. if that dont light them up i dont know what will. good luck
Re: How fresh does a track have to be.
I agree and also disagree. 
An overnight track in the snow is not always as easy as it sounds especially a bobber track. Snow conditions can be just as hard or harder than dry ground. ( I know I'll catch heck for that, but its true).
Wind, sun, temperature and moisture content are huge factors in all situations and snow is no exception. I've had dogs that I figured were pretty dang cold nosed not show interest in an overnight bobber track unless he was breaking through and sinking. They'd trail him real good in the dirt along the ledges, but hit where he walks on the snow, and it was like locking up the brakes. I'd keep turning em loose and don't expect them to scream down every track. That 0 to -10 snow is pretty hard for a dog to get scent out of....try running the track at about 11 or when it warms up a bit, but don't wait to long or the sun will burn that scent off. Good luck
An overnight track in the snow is not always as easy as it sounds especially a bobber track. Snow conditions can be just as hard or harder than dry ground. ( I know I'll catch heck for that, but its true).Wind, sun, temperature and moisture content are huge factors in all situations and snow is no exception. I've had dogs that I figured were pretty dang cold nosed not show interest in an overnight bobber track unless he was breaking through and sinking. They'd trail him real good in the dirt along the ledges, but hit where he walks on the snow, and it was like locking up the brakes. I'd keep turning em loose and don't expect them to scream down every track. That 0 to -10 snow is pretty hard for a dog to get scent out of....try running the track at about 11 or when it warms up a bit, but don't wait to long or the sun will burn that scent off.
Good luckRe: How fresh does a track have to be.
I'm with Catman on this one.
I've seen dogs pick away at a bobber track in fresh snow (that had a little snow in it), when it is -10. I've also seen the same dogs move a track pretty decent that I know was a day old in wetter snow that didn't freeze over night.
It's the same dogs, so the only variable that changed was conditions.
If you find a track, all you can do is put them down and hope for the best. If it doesn't fly find another track.
I'm pretty sure the case is that your dogs aren't real tuned in to the critter making it to have the desire to work it up. It might help to try and walk it up for them.
All other things aside, a good cold nosed dog should be able to work up an overnight cat track most of the time. They might even be able to pull off some miracles, but don't expect it everytime. Just be thankfull it happened that time and give it a whirl again.
I've seen dogs pick away at a bobber track in fresh snow (that had a little snow in it), when it is -10. I've also seen the same dogs move a track pretty decent that I know was a day old in wetter snow that didn't freeze over night.
It's the same dogs, so the only variable that changed was conditions.
If you find a track, all you can do is put them down and hope for the best. If it doesn't fly find another track.
I'm pretty sure the case is that your dogs aren't real tuned in to the critter making it to have the desire to work it up. It might help to try and walk it up for them.
All other things aside, a good cold nosed dog should be able to work up an overnight cat track most of the time. They might even be able to pull off some miracles, but don't expect it everytime. Just be thankfull it happened that time and give it a whirl again.