DRS
Old Mossy Horns
I'm fairly sure one of my hounds got lucky 11/13. Allie is her name. She is my best (IMO). She has a good nose and is a very important part of our pack. She will even strike from the truck. Well, we were running at the N. Dismal there was a lot of water but didn't think it was that awful. While the pack was rolling I looked at the tablet and saw her drop back. I looked because I didn't hear her. I could tell see was spinning at least the direction of the collar was changing but see was not moving. Instantly, I thought she was in trouble. I knew if she was drowning I would never make it. I just hoped. I had to keep up with the pack, as my buddy was keeping up with 5 that went out on deer on the other side of the block. We were the only 2 hunting. The pack I was with crossed into a block I thought was safe enough for me to go back and check on Allie. I raced back to her with a shy of relief she had made it about 50 yards to the canal/ditch at the road. I didn't see her but I called. Finally, I heard her hit the water. When see hit the road she staggered and was breathing hard. I grabbed her up and checked her for snake bites. First thought was rattlesnake bite. No swelling, no blood. Found some raw places on her inner thigh and belly. I put her in the box and raced to catch back up to the pack. When I did I looked her over several more times. Nothing! Her breathing was getting better though. Within the next 30 mins she was biting at the dog box and water bucket, wanting out. About an hour later I recast her with the pack and all was good. I think either her collar or back legs got caught in the bushes while crossing a water filled ditch. I have seen one of mine drown on a flooded creek bottom before when the back legs got tangled in greenbriars. It happens quick. The pack ran good. They did not want to swim the canals though. Almost like they saw a gator or shark swimming in them. Now, this was with hounds that I have seen swim the canals many a time to cast. Talked to a couple other hunters that day. All told me don't feel alone. Something was up and know one knows why. Well, after around lunch, there was no running. Several other groups hunting were having the same problem. Them we had a hound get hung up in the middle of a block. Well, my kennel partner went in after him, as he had a pair of hip boots. Yelp, the waders are going back in the truck. When leaving just before dark, I look up and see the rocket and wander what the heck is that. Oh, well. Then 11/13 I hunted at home with just 4 dogs. Waited for every for a jump or even a bark. One of the four in a true trail dog. Not even a peep from her, Princess. Finally, she trails almost to the hard top they jump and in less than 5 minutes, I'm having to stop them to keep them off the creek that is swollen way past the banks. I don't want a repeat, today. One of the guys, saw a deer. We cast in that direction, they hit it and they ran that on across the same place. That place just happens to be next to the landowner's daughter's house, so not shooting there. Just if your wandering. I take them to recast in an area they haven't worked. I did something I normally don't do, I walked them in. I let them hunt out a hundred yards or so and called them to where I wanted them to hunt. I kept doing this until got them into a totally new area. I saw them get excited. I was certain they were going deeper in I started back to the truck. Half way back, maybe 400 yards to go. I hear them fire up. I run to the truck. They turn and run straight off the property. Another five minute chase and we had to break them off. It was almost 1:00 and I was done. Back to the kennels. We cleaned, watered and feed calling it a day. Ready to try again next week.