170 THE AMERICAN HUNTING DOG 



Aiid should a hoimd range out and hunt like a 



bird-dog? 



How old a trail should a hound follow, such as 



mink and skunk? 



Makioit Henry. 



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. 



