This was not a hunt with clients but a day of fun and training for myself and my hounds. At least thats the way it started. I cut a fresh track of a young female down along a river, a real slam dunk type run for the hounds. I am thinking this will be over in a few minutes as the track was still smoking it was so hot. I let my 2 least experianced dogs out first and they went burning down the track. I then let Burger and Rudy down to join in. In about 3/4 of a mile the cat was bayed up in a thick spruce swamp, I was just making my way to them when Burgers littermate came back, I knew something had happened as Cookie had never come back to me in n over a hundred trees. I could still hear Zoey my youngest giving the lion some business as I rushed to her aid. As I went in to help Zoey I went past Burger with his skull crushed in , dead. Just then Zoey got grabbed in the face by the lion, with my gun in the truck and no time to find a stick, I waded in and let the boot leather fly. The young cat took off running with Cookie and Zoey on her tail. I called off the dogs as I wanted to check Zoey's wounds.
I went home licking my wounds as I now had to break the news to my family as Burger was everyones favorite, including my own. After a few tears a plan to settle the score with the dog killer was made. I went yesterday with a friend and snuck into where the cat had buried the dog hoping to shoot the cat without the aid of the dogs. In no time I realized this was not a normal cat as it constantly circled through the thick Spruce swamp often walking in our tracks.
Finally the cat moved out of the swamp and moved up in to somemore open country where the dogs would have more of a chance. I went back and got my dogs then released them on the hot track knowing full well the cat had set up an ambush not far from where I left her. I was right 150 yards in all hell broke loose and a ground fight started, This time the 4 dogs where to much and the open country made a difference as after getting part of her nose tore off the nasty she lion climbed. I took the cat out of the gene pool with some satisfaction that Burgers death had been somewhat revenged. The dog must have had their own score to settle as they wooled that lion over like I had never seen before. This shows me how quick life changes, a slam dunk hunt turns into a death of a great dog in a matter of seconds.
RIP Burger

the lion


Cookie on the tree and Zoey


The dogs getting a chew


Burger memories

RIP Burger, a story of what hound hunting is truly like.

I am sorry for the lose of Burger, as us dog lovers know, dogs are better than most people. Burger went out doing what he loved.

I'm sorry for your loss. I got to spend some quality time with my cousin's hounds chasing lions this winter and now realize how much of a loved team member they can become.

sorry to hear that. RIP

Hillbilly,
 Thank you for posting this painful story, I am very sorry for your families loss of Burger. Keep his photos prominately displayed and his memory will be in your family forever. I am sure glad his pack mates had the last say on that nasty bitch and I'm sure Burger appreciated it too. 

Sincerely,
Dog Man

sorry for your loss Hillbilly. From hog hunting I learned early that once the tailgate drops all plans go to hell.

troy

I understand you i lost many dogs in these last years ....Juan

Chilcotin, my condolences..

Hell of a day, but it's what keeps us comin' back for more.

RIP Burger.

Regards,
Scott

Really sorry about yuor dog. Just remember he went to the eternal hunting grounds doing what he loved most.
I had a really nasty negotiation with my wife but she said that two elphants in april where more than enough for this year. Don´t think I don´t have you and your dogs present everyday! It is a hunt I will do. Thanks once agaun for all the time you spend with my emails

RIP Burger.

Sorry for your loss.

Had a bad sow bear once. Every other year she hurt a bunch of dogs, probably was dry those years. Never did kill her, just left the training for another area.

chilcotin

i am sorry for your loss of burger, good dogs are hard to find and allways goes away to fast.

best

peter

Concolences on your loss. That was a tough thing to read. Burger went quickly and with dignity...a better death than many dogs (and people) can expect.

Dogs always break your heart.

John

Sorry about Burger Chill, but congrats on nailing that feline!

Tough way to lose a dog. My condolences.

Sorry to hear that. He was a good looking dog. What breed? Looks like a cross?

thanks.

RIP Burger.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcatcher223:
Sorry to hear that. He was a good looking dog. What breed? Looks like a cross?

thanks.

Burger was 1/2 black and tan. 1/4 border collie, 1/8 german shepard, 1/8 golden lab.

thanks for the response. What is the dark tan one with the dark muzzle?

Interesting to see you are running crosses. Do they strike harder, or have more fight?

thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcatcher223:
thanks for the response. What is the dark tan one with the dark muzzle?

Interesting to see you are running crosses. Do they strike harder, or have more fight?

thanks.

That dog is Cookie, and she is a littermate of Burgers.
These 1/2 breeds run like a hound with brains. They typically are ahead of the hounds in every race.

Thanks for the info. I have friends that run blueticks, plotts, and know of another that uses hounds and curs together. Sounds like you have a good pack.

Dogcatcher
, The 1/2 breeds also run quieter on the track which hopefully prevents wolf problems. All well trained hounds catch game, I have found this blend of hounds and dogs works the best for my style of hunting.

As a dog lover and hunter a time to remember a great dog.

Mike aka 'retreever' labs