The Old Timers May Understand

[bucks better beagles]

A buddy of mine and I were talking about hunting and hunters today. There aren't many in my area that approach it as I do. That is, running rabbits and beagles is my life. It is all I do and all I look forward to. I told him that, when I am dead, there probably will be no one who will take my place doing what I do. It got me to understanding "why" this is.

This may get a little deep so some of you may want to stop reading now...To me what I do is kind of primeval. A poetry that runs deep with in my very being. I don't really care whether I have the best dogs or the best running, It is just being out there and feeling that drug of a race going through my veins.

I can't really understand when guys tell me they don't hunt because it is too hot, or too cold, or they are deer hunting, or fishing, or going to ball games or doing any of the other myriad of things that take away from the little time I have to hunt left. I think I am like this because when I was a kid, chasing dogs through the hills was all I had to do all I wanted to do. Sitting on the mountain with a fire going and listening to the old folks tell their tales was an immeasurable joy. Now, I am the old folk but the young ones have too many other things to do.
'
I know some of you that are over 65 will understand what I am saying but I doubt if the younger guys can. Just musing here. Feel free to comment if you get the jest of my thread.

For you young guys, yes I was young once too with all the responsibilities you now have. Didn't matter, when it came time to take the dogs out, they got took out and I got my fix. My wife called it an illness. Maybe it is.

[pcable]

Buck, I am 38 and I for one understand how you feel. My favorite memories of growing up were out hunting and running dogs with my Grandfather and my Dad. To me it is like a drug , I 've had beagles ever since I can remember. I 've also had coon hounds and bird dogs over the years but I always come home to my beagles. I love the dogs and the running.
Lately I havn't been able to get out and run due to a back injury. I have almost lost my mind! My son has been feeding my dogs for me.
Just got news today that I will be having surgery on my back on July 8th! Hopefully then I will be able to get back to runing my dogs and back to work.

You are not the only one that feels this way about beagling Buck, I am right there with you.

[fasttrackpa]

Some of us younger guys really do understand, I even know of a few younger than me that feel it (I am 45). You are right though, it won't be long until it is just history. But for now, I will run my dogs as much as possible and enjoy my overnighters. Even if I am by myself.

[bucks better beagles]

Pcable: Good luck to you with the surgery. I wish you lived close to me.

It is very much like a drug or an addiction to something. I don't know whether that is good or bad. When I was a kid, I actually dreamed about running dogs.

Fasttrackpa: I know there are young people who feel the same way, just not here. I think the "part time" hunters will be around a long time but the diehards are soon becoming a thing of the past as you say. I try to reduce my kennel space to make it easier for me to handle my dogs but I fail each time I try. It is kind of funny, I reduce my space and three days later, I increase it again because I found the "perfect" dog and just had to have it.

[Jwagner]

buck, all I think or want to talk about is beagles. running my beagles is my life. I have been running dogs since before I could walk. I use to ride on my dads back. I have never meant anyone my age who runs dogs as much as I do. every chance I get i'm in the woods. I keep a calender and for the last five years i have had dogs on the ground at least 230 days out of the year. that's not a lot of days off. I have even lost dogs to running them in foolish heat. I have went out in the nastiest stuff. when you can't beg someone to go with you. heck I would run with you but we run a different style of dog. mostly I run by myself. last couple month's I have been running with rick off this board. I enjoy listening to the hounds run, I have come to the conclusion I should sell all the stuff to my other outdoor hobbies like fishing and duck hunting because i never do it anymore because it will always come second to my beagles. I'm 23 year old and I think you would be hard pressed to find many guys my age who run dogs as much as I do. heck I think a lot of people period don't run dogs as much as I do. I agree it is in my blood, when i'm out there with them dogs, i forget everything else it just clears my mind. depending on the trip maybe even a little buzzed afterward. but them silver cans have a way of making all the dogs run better lol.

[rabbitsmoker]

I totally agree i am 46 been chasing hounds since i was 6 years old from then till now i could cant on 1 hand how many saturdays i havent been but i can see alot of other things taking the place of hunting in our youngins now and running rabbits has took on alot different meaning to hunters today running and conditioning hounds and really knowing your dog has took the back seat to killing the rabbit has took the front dont take it wrong i dont care how many is killed but like you said sitting by the campfire runnin all night or all day in the winter days are gone for some some can kill 500 rabbits a year these days but when seasons over thier over and the i have showed my papa before he died some postings he said yeh but thier rabbit beagles suck for a rabbit dog I miss those days when i was a kid and we never knew when gun season started or closed we was to busy making rabbit dog or telling long tales And Mcardney he really enjoyed your viedos for one he said you was more concerned about your hounds making a hand than trying polish them with a dead rabbit hehehe

[littlewoody]

It's God way of keeping you out of trouble. I have been hooked on hunting & fishing all my life I'm 42.

[rabbitsmoker]

It's God way of keeping you out of trouble. I have been hooked on hunting & fishing all my life I'm 42.

amen i had a drug problem in my younger days i was drug to church and to the woods and the ponds and still addicted

[Bellmorekennels]

I am 38, been running dogs for 20 years, I know nothing compared to some, but it is something for me. I live in NY,close to the city, and believe me there are not many left that rabbit hunt, and my neighbors think I am a nutjob. The truth behind it is that if it wasnt for the dogs I would be a nutjob, they are a bid part of keeping me sound , and I dred the day when we have no place else to go or loose our rights, but until then The Dogs are my Life, and I will do whatever it takes and make any sacrifice to pass this sport onto my young sons, I hope they appreciate it someday, and pass it onto their children!!!
bellmorekennels

[KyBeagleGuy09]

I am 33 years old and love my dogs i quit hunting when i was 19 because i was out with my dogs when my dad passed away i had been at the hospital with him the whole weekend and came home on sunday night he passed away the next morning while i was hunting trying to keep my mind off of him so i felt like hunting took the last time i could of had with him away so i sold my guns and gave my dogs away before my mom got home. he was in a hospital over 100 miles away. when she finally realized i got rid of them she was so upset she said my dad had told her the night before he passed away to not let me get rid of my dogs cause i could never find 2 more that pleased him the way they did but i still couldnt get over i was hunting when he passed but the fire never left my stomach for my dogs so about 4 years ago i got back in dont get to run like i wish but when i do i think i finally got some more blueticks that he would be proud of and he never was much of a hunter but he new i loved it and loved him and that made him happy so now with 2 boys and a girl when i can get them to go with me i still get that big smile wishing my dad was sitting with me instead of watching over me

[bucks better beagles]

It pleases me to hear these stories. Especially the guys who find a certain peace in the action of running dogs. Some of you are a lot better at explaining it than I.

[mybeagles]

Buck,

Im 37 and I understand exactly what you are talking about. Even with a full time job, sometimes two, 4 kids, and involvement in church, I have always found time to run the dogs year around. Sometimes that meant going out at night, sleeping in the cab of the truck while the dogs were running, catch them up and head to work.

My wife has referred to it as a sickness, but the only way you understand it is by having it in your veins. I had a great grandpa who had it in him. He died at 87 years old still trying to coonhunt. He hunted almost every night for for over 60 years.

I was raised hunting and running dogs, but so were my 3 brothers. Im the only one that took to it. My brothers enjoy it, but not like me because they dont even own dogs.

I have 1 of my 4 children that way. She sends me emails every day while Im overseas talking about dogs. She runs my beagles every day and reports back with details that only someone that "has it" would bother with. I just have to laugh, and say, yep, she has it too.....

Buck, I think there will always be a few of us. I tend to believe it has always been just a few. I don't think its a learned behavior, I think it's something your born with.

Mybeagles

[bigdogpace]

its better than paying a therapist 45 yrs. 4 me

[JCM]

Thanks for a great post and to all for sharing your stories.

I started running and going to field trials with my dad when I was just big enough to get in the way. I have never had a time when I didn't run beagles and 45 years later run more than ever. I enjoy going to hunts to see friends and talk dogs but more than anything I just love to hear a pack run. I run rough and remote spots, mostly clearcuts that challenge the dogs. The spots I run make it just about the hounds and nature.

Most people can't really understand how this can be such a part of my life, but those that do understand know it doesn't need explained. It's just who I am.

[chapkosbeagles]

buck i am a addict also. for me i just love the spirit of the dog. i cant own a dog who is not competitive. to solo a dog is boring to me as like them to compete with each other. i try to get out everyday,and on the days i dont that is all i can think about

now i cant speak for all the other young bucks on here but i see there are a few that show out passion for the sport that we do.


as far as the best

what keeps me going is always trying to make one that is better than what i got now. if i keep getting better hounds than i will keep climing to the top of the ladder. will i ever get to the top that way. no BECAUSE MY BEST WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH I WILL ALWAYS WANT SOMETHING BETTER. FASTER, SMOOTHER,SMALLER LOADER EXT

GOOD POST BUCK