Need help getting started

[Kaycee WY]

Hey fellas, first I would like to say what an awesome forum this is. Ive been buming around it for awhile now but I just got an account a few days ago. I have learned alot so far and just want to get as much info as i can before I start. Heres the thing, I have been hunting the kaycee area my whole life, my family ownes a few ranches around here, and I really want to get into lion hunting. I have been hanging out with all the local guys that have hounds an have run lions for a long time, an Im really good friends with them all but whenever the subject come up of me getting my own dogs they kinda turn the cold shoulder, which in a way i totally understand, because we have the same problems here that everbody does with people coming in that dont know what they are doing an educating cats that dont need it. lol. these guys have a bad taste in there mouth for good reason about guys getting dogs, because there is a local guy here that got some junk dogs a few years back an has caused all kinds of ruckus. But back about 6 years ago I wanted to get into coyote hunting, an since I knew that was kinda a sore subject with them also I went to them an got one of them that in the local predator control guy for the county to help me out because he said that he knew how I was an if I put my mind to sumthin there wasnt no changing it so he wanted to teach me the right way to do things so I wasnt educating coyotes that would be trouble for him down the road. This guy took me under his wing so to say, and taught me alot about coyote hunting an all the right ways to go about it, an when he thought i was ready he told me he thought I could do it on my own without causing any problems for him. I would really like to find someone who has that same attitude about hunting lions, but it just doesnt seem to be working. I really dont want to step on anybodys toes here but I really want to get into the sport an I have made my mind up to do so, I would really like to haer any input you guys have on this subject. I know there is alot of talent on this website an thought maybe you guys could help me out. I would like to get a couple dogs as soon as possible an get them started, I live right at the base of the mountain an on the river, so Im in the perfect location to run cats an have alot of land between our family and the ranchers close by that I could hunt. I also have alot of coons around here that I could run with sum pups, I would like to hear any input on this also, does it hurt to start pups running coon and then switching to cats or should I just start off with the cats right off the bat? Im 22 years old and was born an raised in kaycee, Im looking for any advise I could get on this subject, good or bad, I also am looking at getting a couple dogs an I have a little money to put towards them because i have been saving for a couple years to get into this. If anybody has a older dog that has been on cats or a pup that you think could fit the bill I would definetely be interestd in them. I would like to thank everyone in advance for and advice they have for me, an I would just like to say again what a wonderful forum your guys have here!

[bullriver]

I am new to cathunting also, and I know exactly what you are up against. I hope you gets lots of good advise because you have a very good attitude, and seem to be going at this in exactly the right way. Seems to me, you could teach some folks a few things in that respect!
Good luck!

[Doogie]

ah good ol kaycee WY to bad the old board wasent still around you woulda loved the discusion about your neck of the woods huh Mike LOL

[Kaycee WY]

yep good ol kaycee lol, I missed sum good stuff huh?

[Doogie]

yep if you only knew lol

[Kaycee WY]

lol sound like i might be glad i dont

[liontracker]

My hat is off to you. I wish I was closer and could help.

[Kaycee WY]

thanks lionhunter, me too lol. ah Ill get er figured out just was looking for any advise you guys might be able to throw my way, as far as where to get dogs and any other tips or tricks you might have for getting started in this awesome sport.

[Big Horn Posse]

Ohhhh the good ol days!!! For a town of 256 people it sure made quite a topic in the hounds world I am just glad I left before that all happened, even though I did get dragged back into the mix unwillingly! Oh well that was years ago and since then the person that caused all the rukus with the houndsmen has moved on to other endevours!

You say you are 22? You must have went to school with my sons J.R. and Charles (the twins) before we moved away in 2003. As far as the hound guys down in your area, you are correct. The are very territorial and keep to themselves. There are a few around that might help you out. You might give Brent Switzer a call he is in Ranchester and he hunts your neck of the woods. He is a nice guy and might be of some help to you. I am not sure who else is still around down in your area...... Larry Schoonover is another that is pretty cool and so is John Long. Those are the guys I would ask and they know the country and have been at it a long time and don't have the "banty rooster symdrome" like alot of those other houndsmen do.

[Kaycee WY]

Yeah I do know your sons, they were 2 years behind me in school. Yeah I know John Long pretty well but havent hit him up yet, thanks alot for the reply though an any advise is always welcome. where are you guys at now?

[Big Horn Posse]

We are up here in Sheridan County now. Charles is going to Sheridan College and is majoring in Criminal Justice. J.R. is going to college in Mississippi and is majoring in Business. Brandon whom you probably don't remember because he is only 16, but then again maybe you do is going to be a junior. I since got out of the hound business because of an injury or I would gladly help you out.

Charles got hurt a few weeks back, and will be out of commision for awhile, but should be well by this fall. He would be a good one to help you out. He knows ALL of the good cat crossings form Kaycee to the MT border on both sides of the mountain. He is also a real good hand with hounds and can give you alot of help in starting a pack. He has been hunting hounds since he was 12 and even though he doesn't have any right now he would gladly help you out with yours. If you want to contact him his email is mtnlionhunter@hotmail.com or pm me and I will give you his phone number.

[trakntree]

Well, if I would have spent two years saving up and thinking about getting into the sport I most likely would have given up on the idea, as a matter of fact it probably would have only taken only a couple of months for me to realize the wise thing to do wich would be spending my thousands of dollars at the local pub or on my family at best. But here I am today. I have to say I admire your motivation.

Good luck with your venture. You can't win if you don't play.

[Kaycee WY]

LOL thanks trakntree, once i make my mind up to do something i usually do my best to finish it out.

[Mike Leonard]

Well it's two eggs up on whiskey toast
Home fries on the side
Wash it down with roadhouse coffee that burns up your insides.
A canyon Colorado diner and a waitress I did love
Sat in the back neath and old stuffed bear and a WORE OUT Navajo Rug\
Eye Yi Yi Yei Whatever become of that NAVAJO rug and you ooooooooooo!


LOL!

Sorry just felt like bursting out in song for some reason. LOL!

[Ike]

roflmao! But that's OK Mike cause we always like to hear your perspective......

I've been gonna go dry ground lion hunting but it keeps raining Mike? lol! So what's a guy to do--go wet ground hunting?

ike