The American Beagler Forum

i know , diet effects the flavor of wild game..just wondered if diet could effect scent? not a hare vs. rabbit scent. but scent of cottontails, in different geographical areas, with different diets...also hare in different areas with different diets? anyone have any thoughts, or opinions? just thought i would throw this out there, maybe we can get something started.

Defintely. The scent and flavor from place to place is different. Extend that thought to this; I believe that a beagle can without a shred of doubt , tell the difference between 2 rabbits that live in the same place and eat the same stuff. Other wise, they would split every time they cross another track. And how about the dogs that can work out a 100 yard double? I have seen some dogs do some pretty amazing things...quickly take a track hours old and turn it into a run..That is why I run dogs.

I don't think so, at least not the scent hounds run(oils from the glands).
I think things such as hormones may enhance or a shot from the adrenal gland may cover scent, but I don't think diet effects scent, unless they're hand mixing salad heavy on garlic onion...

I never thought about that, but I would have to say yes. Think about when you eat food with a lot of garlic in it; you sweat it out the next day. I don't think it affects the actual rabbit scent by making it stronger or weaker, but it might add another layer to to the trail. Good idea.

If a rabbit could sweat, he surely would. Then the big ears on the jacks wouldn't be so necessary.
A sweaty rabbit would surely lead to their demise...

He may not sweat, but that oil from the glands that you speak of, surely does come from somewhere... and is produced by what? The food that the animal (rabbit) eats.

I notice if ours eats anything that gives them lots of gas that they seem to try harder to run in front and switch places toward the front more often!!!