Let's talk about some fears that might bounce around in our heads, but remain unspoken out loud in the truck with the kids!
1. They're on trash!
You can have the most dialed in dog and they can still catch a whiff of something + get a wild hair and chase it one day. We've had our share of Elk races in the past as well as one fairly recently and although we had the opportunity to see a gorgeous animal in the wild, was quickly crushed with the sound of dogs learning that lesson the hard way!
2. Whatever they are chasing doesn't take them through the sketchy part of the hills
We live in Southern Utah and have had our share of dogs chasing lions through the cliffs and ledges. Dustin has had to go back the next day a time or two and retrieve a dog that got themselves hung up in some sketchy areas too close to dark to safely rescue.
Something that scares me every time is one of the dogs losing their footing and having a fatal fall.
3. Dog fights at trees
We've had a dog or two that have been grumpy at trees and it would make us nervous when we've ran into other Houndsmen coming into a tree from a different direction that they may not all get along.
You know your dogs, but you may not know someone else's and we don't want things to go south because they are unfamiliar.
4. Vet bills!
We may have had our share of these back when the dogs thought Porcupines were cool, but we understand the risk involved when turning them loose on a cat or bear that may not be as enthusiastic about the race!
5. A bear falling from a tree
Maybe it's just me that thinks of these things, but I always feel better once we have the dogs all leashed so nothing gets too Western!
We've been lucky with our chasing, but these are a few of the things that cross my mind as we set out on our adventures. I'm grateful for dogs that don't want to get whooped + keep their distance from bears as they're walking.
See ya on the mountain!
The ColdStrike Fam
