170 THE AMERICAN HUNTING DOG 



And should a hound range out and hunt like a 

 bird-dog? 

 How old a trail should a hound follow, such as 



mink and skunk I 



MAEION HENBY. 



Ans. The best way to get your dog to hunt fur 

 animals is, to get hold of a 'possum, coon, or some 

 other small live animal and train the dog to track 

 ing. He is lazy at present because he has not 

 had his hunting instincts aroused, and has no 

 ardour for the chase. 



Take him along with some other man's hound, 

 going cooning it would do wonders for him. 

 After he has once been through a coon hunt, he 

 will be plenty ambitious enough to hunt on his 

 own hook every time he strikes a fresh trail. 



Answering question number two would say 

 that a hound does not range out like a bird dog, 

 but potters around until he strikes a scent that 

 interests him from that time on he is busy un 

 raveling the trail. 



Answering question number three would say 

 that in weather not too dry, an experienced hound 

 can pick up a trail two days old, although they 

 are much more likely to pick up a trail made the 

 night before in such a plentiful and good game 

 country. 



