BigGameHoundsmen.com

will high humidity cause a dog to have trouble moving a track fast?

I'd guess that barometric pressure would play a large part as well. Humidity "should" help the track but I would think the barometric pressure would dictate whether or not the track holds tight to where it was laid or drifts around. I'd guess that low pressure would allow the track to spread around allowing the dogs to drift it thus moving it quicker but I would also think the track would dissipate faster making it seem older, sooner. This is only my opinion. I couldn't say it was even a theory because a theory is an educated guess and the educated part is definately missing.

I agree I think the humidity should help the track. Also a very successful cat hunter in S. Texas has paid careful attention to the barometer. In his experience he's found that the higher the pressure the easier his dogs ran a track. This was only over the last couple years that he discovered this and he hunts every day no matter the pressure. My dogs can't catch one no matter what so I'm only passing this on.

Shorty, did he elaborate as to why he thought the track was easier to run with high pressure conditions?? It makes sense. I guess it would seem that the pressure would help hold the track where it was. Very interesting topic and I'd like to hear what others' experiences are with different BP and RH.

He thought it was just as you stated. His explanation was if you light a fire and the smoke stays low to the ground so must the scent. I don't remember but he even had a barometric number that he thought anything above was easy trailing. I'll have to get ahold of him and pick his brain on it some more. Must be something to it and I agree, very intriguing.

About 25 years ago I knew an excellent hunter (bobs and coon) who strongly believed in it. He would watch the smoke from chimneys and if it lay low he was sure to go hunting. He went many other times too, but preferred "low smoke".

briarpatch

From my experience in bear hunting in WI, hunting sucks when the humidity is up. Dogs can't cold trail nearly as good as a less humid day. Especially when it is dry and humid, that is going to be crappy day of hunting. Besides, it's so friggen miserable you need can't stand it. On those days I try to get in a quick hunt in the morning and hide in the AC for the rest of the day.

I don't know about smoke and barometric pressure, but on cool mornings where the dew hangs in the low spots, you're going to have good trailing and running.

Low smoke is always a good sign for hunting. As for BP and hunting it is better for a steady or high pressure as the game will move much better. When it's low it usually means that bad weather is around the corner and most critters will lay low so the tracks will be much older and fewer and far between. Not always exact but if you pay attention to the BP you should see some trends. The humidity plays a factor but a dog with a good nose don't have to worry though