The American Beagler Forum

In February of 2003, I entered my very first field trial, everyone I knew told me to take my hounds, and try them in competition. Well I have excellent hunting dogs, I thought, until I entered them, and they all got picked up in the first series. These hounds were hunters, and I didnt know what skirting was,or mouthing off line, or hunts too much rabbit. I knew these Beagles would search and find rabbits, and chase it around back to the gun. As time went on, I learned this, and Im still Learning, some guys get frustrated, and say "I dont need it" but I am determined to get it done. My wife Kay got into field trialing as much as I am, and she loves it. We have not had a first place win, yet but we have a few second, third and fourth, and one NBQ. Our PBGA cant get our name strait ,or our hounds, so we cant even get any recognition there. This past weekend, my wife was furious, our only 13" class hound measured out, and she had one of our other ones in, braced with anouther that didnt hunt at all, our hound had the rabbit from start to finish, and they didnt bring her back, but the other hound made 2nd series, I didnt see the run and I asked her "did she produce the rabbit"? and she said "twice"!
I told her one day it will all come together for us too.

I wouldn't worry about running to much rabbit,that statement don't make scence. I also wouldn't worry about running those type trials they don't promote a true hunting hound. If you hounds can JUMP a rabbit and circle it to the gun before your hair turns gray then you have a true hunting hound. Ears pinned back running to catch. Just my opinion.

No offense intented Windy Hollow, but it seems to me that you are running the wrong format with your dogs, from my experience in field trialing you should look at all the formats before you put your dogs in one just to see where you fit in with your style of dogs. My opinion only and good luck with your field trialing it can be alot of fun.