I finally have the time and Service to upload the Pics and Video from what may be one of the 5 all-time best Cat Races we have ever had!
In December Ted Smith from OK came down to Florida with us. We had hunted hard and had caught one and treed or put in a log pile several more. The Cats were not running for over an hour like they generally will….there just was not enough water in the woods for them to unleash their Water Tricks on the Hounds….after 20 or so Minutes it was either “Fly – Climb – or DIE”.
On Friday night we decided to make a short hunt in the Home Club as Deer Season was open and the woods would be full of Deer Runners Saturday morning. We headed East and made a road that has been good for a Strike in the past.
A mile or so down this road it makes a hard 90% turn to the North, as we made this turn Ole Rivers (God Rest his Soul) bellowed out “I Smell a Bobcat…not where he has been but the Cat himself”. We believed him and released him, Corky, Brazos and Pecos. They streaked off into the night Barking every breath.
Ted said “WOW do they always do that? Or is the Cat that Hot”.
By then I had the doors to the Box open and the Pups were leaving answering Ted’s Question with “Yes Sir…the Cat is that Hot”. These 8 Pups, along with Brazos, Pecos and the 3 Old Hounds ducked and dodged this Cat for a few minutes in the Clear-cut where he had been feeding. Then he squatted and caused a short Check….then off to the North he went. He knew where he could go to get these “Deer Dogs” off his Back. (Mr. Harold often chuckles when his Hounds get after a Cat and wonders what the Expression is like on the Bobcats face when he realizes this is an experienced Pack of Bobcat Hounds, not some hot nosed Coyote Pen reject Deer Dogs trying to pull his short tail)
700 yards to the North was a large drainage Canal which crossed the road. Into this Canal the loggers had pushed all manner of Slash, non-merchantable Logs, and chunks of Limestone.
What a mess! This is where the Cat knew he could make the Hounds life a living Hell and Escape…..he thought!
For the next hour or so he gave the Pups quite an EDUCATION.
Dad and Ted soaking the Race up!
To the road he would come….Ted or I would say here he is and try to get a Pic.
Cat Squatting in heavy cover.
Then young Cat (a 9 month old pup screamed out “Look out fellows I am running him to you….and he did. The Cat passed between Ted and I as we were standing shoulder to shoulder listening to the “Opry” at its finest. I swooped my Camera down and shot from the hip….here is the Pic:
One time Caddo Rivers, a 13 month old Pup took the Cat right through this Big Culvert (an old Railroad Tank Car) we were parked on. He was screaming as he swam…literally Running…I mean Swimming the Cat by sight.
From here on out I will let the Video “Tell the Tale”
View My Video
This water is what running a Bobcat in Florida is usually like! The Hound you hear the Most of at the beginning of this Clip is Ole Rivers who died in an Accident in January. You Hear why we will miss him so much!
View My Video
The Cat decided that the Water was not helping that much so he decided to pull out for the nearest Faraway place….by road no less. A road running through freshly bedded land – meaning absolutely NO Cover. Well he was a good running/swimming Cat, but Secretariat he weren’t!
In the next clip the Flashing Red lights you see are on the New Garmin ALPHA’s the Hounds are wearing. The two bright white lights you see coming at you is the Bobcat’s eyes as he is trying to outrun the Hounds. Brazos and Pecos run right over the top of the Cat….as he raises up to fight Caddo Rivers tackles him like Dick Butkis used to tackle opposing running Backs.
Viewer Discretion advised as this is a Catch/Kill scene. View My Video
Many times we get to see a Cat during a Race, but not this much or as many times. To get to literally have a “Full Sensory” Race; where you hear it, feel it, smell it, literally touch the Cat, and get to see the end….all recorded on Audio and some on Video…with an 83 year old who don’t have many more left in him….well like the TV Commercial says “Priceless”
Dad and Ted with the 28# Tom
Folks I hope you all enjoy this!
you mean ill have to get cat dogs? I went through that with coyote hounds went out when time and rarely have I missed a weekend for 6 years!