What one thing do you love about running hounds?

[MasonsBeagles]

Thinking about this yesterday while hunting. I run and hunt alot by myself esp. this year with the young ones Im trying to see if they will make the grade. Probably the one thing I love is when a young dog first starts. When they go from not knowing anything about anything to getting a whiff of that rabbit and switch flips and they start doing what they were bred to do. They all dont make the cut but at that moment when the switch flips the Skys the Limit.

[Jeremy Mapes]

That's by far my favorite part as well. Although I do love to see a dog bust brush hard. I tend to have a new found respect for a hound when I see it go places no living creature should go, but when they get in there and get them hard to jump bunnies out, it sure is rewarding. Makes a guy mighty proud.

[J.C. Blair]

I guess I think about the same as you Will, I love to see a good young dog turn it on. Of course it seems like you gotta go through at least 100 before you get that one, like you are talkin about. I also like to meet new people from different parts of the country and meet new people, through running dogs. I've met A LOT of great people through beagling, and a few bad apples, but the good outweigh the bad by leaps and bounds. I guess to me there's nothin like waking up on a frosty morning, breaking out 3 or 4 dogs and meeting up with friends and layin down some rabbits. And of course hearing those famous words, "Shoot again Walter!!" LOL....you didnt think I forgot that did you? I hope my dogs are ready for this coming week, cause they got 6 days to pull of pound the ground, gun hunting.

[vongrubin]

2 things actually,having my 7yr old son taggin behind me,knowing that someday,when im gone,it will bring him good memories of me(i hope ). and the second is trying to learn something i have very little knowledge of,special thx to steve w for his patience and guiding hand.

[MasonsBeagles]

2 things actually,having my 7yr old son taggin behind me,knowing that someday,when im gone,it will bring him good memories of me(i hope ). and the second is trying to learn something i have very little knowledge of,special thx to steve w for his patience and guiding hand.

taking your son out is priceless. my daughter loves it but she still is ready to go after a few hours. she will probably hit it with me harder this spring. yesterday I was hunting on Public land and a guy pulled up with his little son and we talked for a few. His son was stoked about being out with his dad and I thought that was a cool experience for the both of them.

dont worry about the second. i have rabbit hunted with dogs the biggest part of my life and owned and ran my own hounds on and off for the last 20+ years. I realize everyday how little I know. It is good to have people that will help you out.

[mobeagle]

2 things actually,having my 7yr old son taggin behind me,knowing that someday,when im gone,it will bring him good memories of me(i hope ). and the second is trying to learn something i have very little knowledge of,special thx to steve w for his patience and guiding hand.

AMEN Having my two boys 7 and 5 along is by far the funnest part. Before they started going my favorite part about running dogs is honestly the peace and quiet other than the beautifull sounds of hounds smoking a track. As young teen before I had a drivers license I had 4 coyote hounds and I would turn them loose from my house lay on my trampoline and fall asleep outside listening to the beatifull sound of hounds running not many teenagers spending their nights listening to dogs but I loved it. I've loved hounds and the sweet music since I was a child and those nights falling asleep listening to my dogs run while my friends were playing video games are times I will never forget.

[BriarCreekBeagles]

Gotta love when a youngun starts!

[JUDE]

There's several things I love about running but having my family with me
really makes it great .

.

[jdmart]

I run alone 95% of the time except during rabbit season. It's me, my hounds, the conditions, the rabbits, I can evaluate them and determine what makes the grade and what doesn't. No excuses!

Rabbit hunting with my son, priceless!

Starting a young hound, that has potential and watching it progress!!!!

Not having to listen to some peoples excuses for hounds, just pure beagle music!

[swamp mama]

Its a great nerve pill. After a day of work, working with my hubby, dealing with the kids after school, just give me my pack of "girls" let me turn them loose and listen. I dont want no conversation, no big hunting stories, no people standing beside me talking on the cell phone(my husband!!!) just let me listen to my hounds and RELAX!!LOL

[island ridge hounds]

i like nature. when i'm out with the hounds and they strike a bunny i'll find a place to light for the duration of the race light a cigar and sat and look at all that nature has to offer all of gods wonders with the hounds running in the back ground looking up into the trees at the sky with nothing else but the sounds of nature and your hounds. i'll take that over field trialing any day. it could happen.
Buddy Wall

[Schag]

I guess my answer is similar to the other posts... I enjoy running the young hounds and evaluating their individual performance. I have been trying to find that perfect beagle for many years, but the perfect one will never be born. The anticipation of great things out of young dogs keeps me scraping kennels every day. I was running yesterday afternoon by myself and only had two dogs out. One of my favorites is due with a litter of puppies this week. I have to be honest, I can't wait to hear a few new voices in my pack.

Another aspect about owning hounds that I like is the time spent with family and friends. It seems that when I have time to go hunting everything else is put on the back burners for at least a few hours. I am not worried about the everyday stresses of life when I am afield. I can't think of a better way to enjoy life than to be out with family and friends listening to a pack of beagles driving a rabbit.

Good post.

Jason Schag

[Joeyman]

I like to hear a good sight chase you know when the dogs bark different cause they are sight chasing. Thats the best.

[chapkosbeagles]

PEACE IN MUSIC SIMPLE AS THAT

[Gabby's Beagles]

I started to say the peace and quiet.. But that wouldn't be very good running if it was quiet. LOL! Just love to listen to the music! Hearing a pup open for the first time rates high up the list.
My favorite part is probably running with my hunting buddy and listening to old stories. Lose track of time. Many times over the summer we would be out after dark. Memories that will last a long time. I'm blessed and Thankful to have my dogs and great friends to run the dogs with.