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My older brother has a redbone and hunts frequently with him. I really enjoy the sport, and am in it for the dogs. I am looking for advice on how to get set up, I have read both volumes of Walk with Wick, and now am just deciding on a breed and species of game to hunt. We have a lot of cottontails around here and for that reason I am leaning towards a beagle. What I do know for sure is that I would like a smaller breed, I'm open to curs,and crossbreeds as well. I am basically asking for advice on breeders of smaller bred hounds/curs. If any of you have a litter of beagles that will be ready soon I'd love to talk. I don't have a lot to spend ( as I am 12 years old) but I'd love to hear some recommendations of good quality breeders, or if anyone has knowledge of someone near or in Indiana that has a litter of beagles or smaller bred hounds. Thanks - Lily

You are really smart to focus on the game that is most plentiful for you. Also think about the most places to hunt. Do you have a lot of areas to run rabbits?

If you have some hardwoods to hunt and like looking into trees and sharp shooting with a sling shot, pellet gun or .22, maybe look into squirrel hunting with a dog that will tree. This would likely be the coonhound and cur or fiest breeds. There are many cur and fiest breeds that are small, if you want a small dog. Check out squirrel dog central, or squirrel haters.

If you want a dog that will help you with anything that wears fur or feathers, on the ground or in a tree, and have even been known to catch fish, look into the Drauhthar. Also German wire hair, or German short hair pointers. They won't give you the beautiful hound music we all love. But if you ever go hungry as a Drauhthar owner, it will be your own fault.

Beagle girl, I know another twelve year old getting into hounds in North Dakota. He is extremely smart like you. If you ever want some one your age to talk to about it I can get you in touch with him. If you ever have a question on guns, he knows as much about them as anyone I ever met.

Thanks for your reply I appreciate it. I talked to my brother and he thinks that our coon population is very high. I decided to go with a coonhound, if you know of any breeder who has good pups but aren't REALLY expensive I'd love to hear about them. Thanks for your help- Lily

Lily, Indiana is bursting at the seams with good coon dogs and I bet at this moment there are well over a hundred coon hound pups in your state. I bet there are some within an hours drive of you if not less. The trick is to find them. Go to the coon hound web sites like coondawg whatever, UKC coon hound sites etc. Let folks know you are looking. Might even check Craig's list and stuff like that. Start mowing the lawn for your neighbor, babysitting, washing windows, whatever work you can find and save up for the best bred pup you can find. You can earn enough money this summer to buy the very best.

The main thing is find one that's gonna put it on your brothers dog.

Ukc forums would be your best bet. Better make sure as best you can that the guys legit though. Nothin worse than gettin took for a ride on the first one. Trust me, done been there. If it seems too good to be true, it is.

I would look at the curs, cur crossed or maybe a laika. These breeds will do better with squirrel and birds if you ever wanted to hunt other animals and they're pretty good coon dogs too. Not being old enough to drive around all night looking for a dog, a closer hunting dog might be beneficial. Plus it might be easier to go hunting during the day instead of only at night. But whatever you want, it's definitely close to home. Indiana is full of tree dogs. Good luck

Beagle girl. Check out Hoosier tree Dog Alliance on FB. I am a cofounder of that organization post what you are looking for and why on our page and I am sure one of our members will help.


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I think we really should revisit trying to establish some sort of mentorship. I know its shaky ground for lots of reasons. But if you look at the cost of getting into hounding today where everyone expects them to have trackers and e collars and head lights for coon it is a substantial amount for a youngster. Then add the fact we are a big game focused group in many states youth must be with adults. Or perhaps can only go as watchers. Its more difficult to ad new members. But if they luck out and get a good seasonally trashy beagle I'm sure it ll keep them busy hunting in most areas.