Van Johnson dogs on bobcats?

[Tim Pittman]

Just wondering if anybody has hunted Vans breeding on bobs.I'm located up here in western Oregon.Thanks for the help,
Tim

[Mike Leonard]

I have if you are referring to Van's grade english type hounds going back to Old Blue and LB.

Hard to beat these dogs. Van hunts hard, culls hard and his dogs have to perform. These dogs usually posess a very good nose, excellent track speed and endurance. Van prefers a dog with a lot of leg under them. Not great big bodied dogs but plenty of legs to carry them. Chaser has as many of these dogs as anybody I know and beleive me he has some outstanding game catchers. Although he doesn't concentrate on bobcat these dogs have the stuff. Several big time bobcat catchers from the area where Van lives hunt this strain and they certainly do gather the fur.

[Tim Pittman]

I talked to him the other night seemed like a genuinely nice guy.He brought up the old Blue dog quite a bit,says most of his dogs have him in their breeding along with Kamphouse Plott,Walker and some Diamond Jim.As most houndmen I'm allways looking for better[true locate and tree dogs in big western Oregon timber aren't available in big numbers}.Even in some of our dogs that have been bred for generations still don't throw out huge percentages{probably has to do with some of that running dog in there} of true locaters on bobs.As you guys know most of us here in the Pacific NW are color blind{i'm trying to be open minded}so I'm looking outside the bubble.Love to hear more input?
Tim

[Tim Pittman]

Anybody else outwest tried these dogs?

[Mr.pacojack]

I hunted with Van last summer a bunch and his dogs are the real deal. He is a man of his word and I am sure he will back up his dogs. Don't know alot of guys that hunt more than Van and his dogs handle like... well better than most curs.
Mike put it very well. I don't think you could go wrong with one of Van's dogs.
Van and I camped in a little cabin last summer hunting bear and I could have stayed up every night listing to Van's stories about hunting, breeding dogs and freinds. I hope someday he writes a book.
It is a sight to see a man ride off on his mule and about 20 dogs all single file behind him and always in controll of them.
It is an honor to be able to hunt with Van and a ledgend, anyway I rambled on alot and never did answer your question, I just thought I would tell you about my bear hunting with him and his dogs.

[nite hunter]

You see a lot of good dogs that can pound an old track and a lot of good dogs that can smoke a hot track. When you get a dog that can do both you have a great dog. Ive seen Vans dogs produce more of these than most other strains.

[WTP]

I have hunted with Van quite a little bit this last year he is a man of his word I have seen his dogs rig and catch a bear today start and catch a bob tomorrow then start and catch a lion the day after that !
Call him and ask him what you want to know then take what he said to the bank !





Cliff

[Tim Pittman]

Thanks for all the feed back.I was just trying to do alittle homework,we are limited here to bobs only otherwise I'd be having fun with the bears and the long tails tooo LOL! When you talk to somebody like him you don't get the pressure feeling or desperation to stick to ya.Just seemed like a down to earth very knowledgeable man.I love to hear such a good report about people these days.Sounds like he's flat put the time in with the dogs.
Tim

[dsodstiks]

very good post. i like hearing about vans dogs. i need to call him up one day and talk dogs if he isnt out hunting which sounds like alot.

[Travis Stirek]

good luck have always liked van's videos.

[Tim Pittman]

just curious to what most of you fellas have seen these dogs to look like[conformation,color,size]?
thanks Tim

[Mr.pacojack]

sent you a pm