R&S 
OWNER/PRESIDENT
Post by THE GOB-FATHER on Jun 11, 2005 11:00:41 GMT -5
This time of year always reminds me of years back when I was younger and no game was really in season. What a perfect time to get the hounds in shape! Man, those summers would be hot too! We were always known for our hounds' noses and alot of that is because of the hot, dry ground we ran them in. Development is the biggest key in raising a good beagle. They require a lot of work and dedication. I wish I had the time now to be able to start a kennel back up again!
I'll never forget the first time I took my good ol' buddy "Zeus" out shortly after he broke. I worked day and night on breaking him and getting him ready for the "initiation first hunt".
We went out when there was a little bit of snow on the ground (about an inch or two) and the day seemed perfect. It was mostly overcast, with a slightly moist air breezing through. The snow was semi packy and hardly no wind at all. I unleashed Zeus and let him loose to start the morning. He immediately started for the brush, nose to the ground the whole time... man what a sight.... he was doing what we rehearsed! I just sat back for a moment and watched him work that brushline. Man, I can still remember that sight to this day, never more proud of my buddy!
Before long, I could no longer see him through the brush and let him figure out what to do next. I didn't hear anything and hadn't seen him for about 15 mins. Now, I don't normally get worried with my dogs as they are "the professionals" but he was a rookie and I had worried he may have strayed..... Howwllllllll!!!!!!
He started lining out and a sense of joy and relief overwhelmed me and I was a proud man at that very moment. I sat and listened to that beautiful sweet music only a beagle can make and just reflected on all the time spent and days worked just to get to this point... it made the taste even sweeter!
The rabbit broke and started to loop. "I'm gonna get him for ya bud" was what ran through my head. I was the one now who had to "step up to the plate" as I owed it to him in thanking him for gettin out there and running the cottontail for me. Zeus started sounding off closer and closer as I raised my 1100 into position to be ready for that bunny to reveal his line. Within a matter of about 2 minutes I catch movement to my left screaming through the brush just about ready to come out in the open. The rabbit bounced out and ran directly in front of me from left to right heading towards the next point of cover.... BLAMMMM!!!!! He never made it to his destination.
I sat back and felt so damn great about this little run that only took but a mere half hour or so and realized that this was Zeus' day! I let him continue to run the line and watched him work all the way to the dead rabbit laying in front of me. He grabbed the back end of it and I then picked it up and "teased him" a little bit hanging it over his head all the while saying to him how proud I was in that stupid voice we all have while talking to dogs.
I went back and followed the tracks of the rabbit and Zeus and he never strayed one bit off that line. I was a perfect circle back to the very spot he started on it.
In my opinion it was "textbook" and something I'll never forget. Just thought I'd share that special moment and memory with y'all!
I'll never forget the first time I took my good ol' buddy "Zeus" out shortly after he broke. I worked day and night on breaking him and getting him ready for the "initiation first hunt".
We went out when there was a little bit of snow on the ground (about an inch or two) and the day seemed perfect. It was mostly overcast, with a slightly moist air breezing through. The snow was semi packy and hardly no wind at all. I unleashed Zeus and let him loose to start the morning. He immediately started for the brush, nose to the ground the whole time... man what a sight.... he was doing what we rehearsed! I just sat back for a moment and watched him work that brushline. Man, I can still remember that sight to this day, never more proud of my buddy!
Before long, I could no longer see him through the brush and let him figure out what to do next. I didn't hear anything and hadn't seen him for about 15 mins. Now, I don't normally get worried with my dogs as they are "the professionals" but he was a rookie and I had worried he may have strayed..... Howwllllllll!!!!!!
He started lining out and a sense of joy and relief overwhelmed me and I was a proud man at that very moment. I sat and listened to that beautiful sweet music only a beagle can make and just reflected on all the time spent and days worked just to get to this point... it made the taste even sweeter!
The rabbit broke and started to loop. "I'm gonna get him for ya bud" was what ran through my head. I was the one now who had to "step up to the plate" as I owed it to him in thanking him for gettin out there and running the cottontail for me. Zeus started sounding off closer and closer as I raised my 1100 into position to be ready for that bunny to reveal his line. Within a matter of about 2 minutes I catch movement to my left screaming through the brush just about ready to come out in the open. The rabbit bounced out and ran directly in front of me from left to right heading towards the next point of cover.... BLAMMMM!!!!! He never made it to his destination.
I sat back and felt so damn great about this little run that only took but a mere half hour or so and realized that this was Zeus' day! I let him continue to run the line and watched him work all the way to the dead rabbit laying in front of me. He grabbed the back end of it and I then picked it up and "teased him" a little bit hanging it over his head all the while saying to him how proud I was in that stupid voice we all have while talking to dogs.
I went back and followed the tracks of the rabbit and Zeus and he never strayed one bit off that line. I was a perfect circle back to the very spot he started on it.
In my opinion it was "textbook" and something I'll never forget. Just thought I'd share that special moment and memory with y'all!
