Difference between Swampers and Cottontails

[BEAGLEBLUES]

how much of a difference is there between the running styles of a cottontail and a swamper. I am wanting to try my hand at running some swampers, and don't have any idea what to expect. I have been told that I might think that the dogs have jumped a deer by the way they are running??? also does a swamper have more smell to their tracks than a hill rabbit. I have a ton of questions, but not enough room or time to ask.

I would like to find someone in western KY that likes to hunt swampers that might like to get together and run the dogs sometime.

thanks
Jamey

[cajunmeadows2]

Cottontails run a small circle and are a lot smaller in size. A swamper will run hounds out of hearing , you might think they are on a deer.

[paducahky1]

cottontails run fast for short burts the circle, swampers will take a dog out of the country and are very crafty, they will swim, back track, come sit by you, he is full of tricks, love running swampers !

john

[tickledblue]

Swampers will also climb into fallen or leaning tree tops and climb inside hollow trees. I have seen them swim with their nose, eyes and ears being the only parts above the water. Sometimes they won't circle back to the area where they were jumped. They may go out in the bottom, swamp etc and then circle. You may have to go out in the swamp to get them. I love to run them when I can. I just don't have as many places to go now especially during deer season. During the warm seasons there are lots of cottonmouths in the swamps in our area. We Also have plenty copperheads and 4-6 foot rattlers. I like to use my faster Branko/Turbo bloodline dogs to push the swampers. A dog has to have no fear of water to run a swamper. I get goose bumps just thinking about the roar of voices when they jump a swamper or come out of a check with one. As we say in the South "ain't nothin like it".