TRAINING AND HUNTING 49 



utilized in the preliminary lessons, at least until 

 they can learn the intoxicating delight a well- 

 bred hound experiences in scenting a fox. 



Great care should be exercised in using a 

 captive fox to keep it far enough away from 

 the pups so they may never see or smell it until 

 they run across the trail laid for them. In 

 other words, a captive fox should never be 

 kept anywhere in the vicinity of the kennels. 

 It is better to hunt puppies where a gray rather 

 than a red fox " uses." Should they strike an 

 old red it will not only take the heart out of 

 them, but his straightaway tactics will take 

 them out of your own field of observation. 

 The gray will dodge, twist, and make short 

 circles, thus enabling you to note the perform- 

 ances of the puppies and correct their faults. 



The presence of an older and better hound 

 teaches the younger hounds how to circle for a 

 loss and checks the disposition of many young 

 hounds to back track when a loss is made. A 

 slow hound is best to train them with first, but 

 he must not be a potterer or a babbler. After 

 he has the fox up and the pup has taken hold 

 of the line, if opportunity presents to take up 

 the old hound without the knowledge of the 

 pup do so. If the pup makes a loss or quits 

 for any cause replace the old hound, to assist 



