Good old Michigan.....NOT !

[RunninHard]

This winter has sucked, Trying to start 2 pups and all this snow is making it hard, Rabbits are not running and are hard to find, I got these 2 pups started in the fall and was looking forward to some good running this season but its just my luck to have a crappy winter, DEEP snow, Ice, cold, windy...ect
It has been raining here the past 3 days and was some flooding with the snow melting and temps in the 40's but as soon as things were starting to look good it went down hill...
We just got hit will rain turning in to snow yesterday and last night now we have another 4-5 "s on the ground, I was hoping running would be good today and was looking forward to a good run today, but just as soon as I got done from doing the snow removal here around the house my buddy called and said scenting was good but the rabbits are running start to holes YET again ! He jumped 5 and only 1 was a runner.....

I am going out but dont expect much as far as rabbits, But will enjoy the time out as the dogs will to ....Just had to vent ..

[dave g]

i feel for you. luckily i dont have any pups but it still sucks walking around for hours and not finding any bunnies to run. they are all using holes still. i went out yesterday in the snow, figuring with all the rain and flooding they would be out, but i didnt even find a track to look at. it looked like they stayed holed up for a whole 24 hours. we have some more above freezing days coming up and maybe some more rain so it should be getting good any time now.

good luck today. i am going grocery shopping instead

later, dave

[Cooz's Beagles]

I know what you mean! I live here in the southern part of Michigan, and we've had a few good long runs in the swamp, but pretty much anywhere else they've been holng up! I went out to the swamp this morn, and every inch of it is covered in ice... Not good scenting conditions. We've also had many days where I've had hours to watch my dog run, but the scenting conditions have been horrendous. And I too have a pup to train so I hoping this crusty snow melts and we get some warmer days!



Cooz's Beagles:
Cooz's Just Snoopin Around
Lone Pine Cooz's Nicci

[packmaster]

It has been pretty bad this year,but I actually enjoy taking them out when conditions are tough.it makes them work that much harder.and once conditions are right,they will absolutly burn the hair off a rabbit.I`ll be heading out later this afternoon to see how many holes I can find.

[wireman252]

Seems us Michigan guys are feeling the same way. I have a 15 month ,a 11 month , and a 9 month old male pups that have struggled this season. The bright side is ,I educated them on deer, with all the snow and no rabbits to find.Hoping that they are broke now.
Also , got to see what kind of hunt they had. They started looking for a rabbit to jump , instead of a track to run. Problem was there was very few rabbits that jumped and all went to holes all season. Haven't killed a single rabbit for these young dogs.But even a bad day of hunting , is still better for them than not hunting at all in my opinion.
Got to work on handling as well .Was happy with two of the three pups. The 11 month old has gotten better on his hunting with the pack and also starting to show some independence in his search , but when he finally jumped a rabbit the pack lined it out and he pulled off and came back to the point of jump.Not sure he will make the cut. Seems to lack some hunt and has not packed up since he started opening on track.
He first opened on track at just 3 months old and spent 2 weeks in a starting pen with two other pups at 7 months old.Something is just not clicking in his little head .He has been on many outings that averaged 3-4 hours since 3 months of age and has yet to pack up when a rabbit is up.Very disappointed. Especially since I paid more for this pup than I've ever paid for a pup.I'm afraid I have a cull. The breeders are good and straight too. I don't hold anything against them at all. To put it simply , pedigrees don't run rabbits. Some have it ,and unfortunately , some don't. Buying a pup at 6 weeks old is still a crap shoot , no matter what the breeding. The breeding may just better your odds.
I'll give him an honest chance to prove himself through the spring when the running gets good. Hoping it works out , but I'm doubtful from what I've seen. Litter mates to him have been doing well ,I've been told , so he better get with the program.

[Cooz's Beagles]

Wireman 252

I have a pup at six months old has went out with my hound all winter without seeming interested. She will go to a starting pen and I will work with her throughout the spring since the winter was so bad. I think she will turn around, a lot of people say time and rabbits is all they need!

[Househounds]

My season this year has been better then the last two. Most times that I have been out there has a small layer of fresh snow and the dogs seem to do pretty good on it. Last year it seemed like I was on old frozen snow every time I went out and the dogs could not run the rabbits well on it. Also the rabbit population seems to be up where I have been going. More sign and better running for me this year then in the past. Today was not good running though. We got that 4-6 inches of podery snow over night and it seems the rabbits that are out after more then a few inshes falls do not like to run far in it. We jumped three and the dogs struggled with them and they ran into big brush piles and would not come out. I suspect they have holes under them as the dogs worked em over pretty good. I should have gone out this afternoon instead of morning as it is sunny out now and I bet the rabbits are out enjoying it after this last strech of rough weather.

[Ron Conroe]

run down by jackson today and had great running. run for 5 hours and the last race was a hour and a half. had about 2 inches of snow. it really felt good.YEE HAW

[chapkosbeagles]

i dont think running has been any different this year than it is any other year. face it this is michigan and it takes a dog with a NOSE to run here in the winter.

a hot nose tight mouth dog just wont cut the cheese

[dave g]

shoot, it doesnt matter what kind of dog you have if one cant find rabbits that want to run that is my story and i am sticking to it lol.

later, dave

[chapkosbeagles]

rabbits have been running good right on top of the sheet of ICE you think they hole but they just get way out infront of them hounds,and they cant smell um

like i said BIG NOSE,FOOT AND BRAIN DONT HURT EITHER

[Jwagner]

i dont think running has been any different this year than it is any other year.

you stole my exact thoughts the first time I read this thread. I have been running young dogs all winter 17 months at the beginning of this month. I have ran every weekend. granted they do get accompanied by my old dog from time to time. Today dillinger and me had some really good running on state land. I'm glad that I didn't leave the old man home today. but as far as snow and cold goe,s it is michigan and it is like this every winter, I don't ever remember not having a cold spell and bad snow, it is just part of winter.

[dhoundman]

i feel your pain same thing here in centrale ohio one it rain like a flood and the next the sun comes out and then the next day rain and snow. people that say thier is cobal warming are crazing sure hope to get out mon a.m. no rain but freezing temp untile about 10:00 then everything will get muddy. i am taking one old dog with one pup hope they can get just an hour of running.
can't wait for april to come get warm and stay warm.
fat chance it most likely will rain every other day.
hope you get out with your pups keep us posted as to how they do

[Dillinger09]

Ron you should have given me a call! me and jake ran some state land out here in jackson and ran 3 rabbits killing 2 we only hit the ground for just over 2 hours but the running was GREAT! the three males we had really put the smack down today! best runnin all season. but up to this point

[South Woods kennel]

Wireman

If there is no rabbits to run the young hounds will get discouraged just like a young kid in in my opinion.
Fare well