BigGameHoundsmen.com

I start all my young dogs on gray fox. I have come to the conclusion that if a young dog can figure out how to track and trail and tree a gray they can catch anything. It really teaches them to locate in the tree. I am not a big fan of coon hunting because there isn't much of a race and I get bored. But my motives are purely selfish. I much rather sit in a chair and listen to my young dogs trail in a big one mile circle for three hours than jump a coon in a black berry thicket and watch them tree it in a few minutes. But like I said I personally don't find that fun and that is why I don't do it. I know a lot of guys that do start there young dogs on coon and they do fine. I think what it comes down too is just getting those dogs gamey. Just my opinion.

All of our dogs run bear and coon. Of course in the mountains were we hit there ain't too many coons, but really once they get older we really try to push them harder on bear. But even during the offseason we coon hunt them to keep them in shape. Idk how bad of a thing it really is bcuz one of the best dogs we have for bear is also a great coon dog. Jmo

I should have been more clear and agree with last two. I only run mine on coon enough to get them trailing and treeing on their own. I also think it helps build their confidence. Once they are proficient at that, it's bear from then on...