So you think you want to get into coon hunting, huh? Before you grab a light and a dog box, let’s talk about what you’re really signing up for.

In this episode, I break down what it takes to get started the right way — from picking the right dog and gear, to understanding how a night in the woods actually goes. This one’s for the folks who are new, curious, or just trying to figure out where to start without wasting time or money.

We’ll cover:

🐾 What kind of dog to start with

🎒 Gear that’s worth buying (and what can wait)

🌙 How to read your dog and enjoy the process

💭 The mindset that’ll keep you in the game long-term

Coon hunting isn’t just a hobby — it’s a lifestyle built on patience, learning, and a deep bond between you and your dog. If you’ve ever thought about stepping into this world, this episode will help you do it the right way.

🎧 Listen now — and see if you’ve really got what it takes to be a Dog Man.

#coonhunting #houndlife #bawlinoutkennels #thoughtsofadogman #dogmanpodcast #treedogs #beginners

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I sit down with my good friend Ryan Elson to talk all things beagles — from starting young pups to the lessons we’ve learned along the way. We get into what makes a good rabbit dog, the challenges that come with training, and the mindset it takes to bring out a pup’s full potential.

Whether you’re just getting started or have been running dogs for years, this is a real, unfiltered conversation packed with practical insight, laughs, and that old-school dog man wisdom.

🐶 Topics we cover:

• How to start beagle pups the right way
• Common mistakes new handlers make
• The importance of patience and consistency
• Real field experiences and lessons learned

🎧 Tune in, learn something new, and enjoy some honest talk between two dog men who live and breathe the sport.

In this episode, I’m answering some of the most common questions I’ve been getting about hunting and training young tree dogs.

We’re talking about dogs that tree but leave, pups that won’t leave your feet, when it’s the right time to take that young dog to the woods, when to start shooting game to them, and a few more things new and beginning handlers run into.

These are real questions from real hunters — and I’m just giving my honest take on what’s going on and how I’d handle it from what I've learned, been taught, or used myself!

In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I answer real questions sent in from real hunters running beagles!

From young dogs that just want to play, to solo runners that won’t pack, I break down what’s really going on and options on how to correct the issues in my opinion! This one’s all about practical, no-fluff advice for everyday handlers trying to build better rabbit dogs.

Here’s what we cover:

🐾 How to get your dog to come when you spot a hot rabbit

🐾 Fixing two young dogs that just want to play instead of hunt

🐾 What to do with a dog that runs solo but won’t pack up

🐾 Why some dogs keep coming out of the race — and how to stop it

🐾 How many dogs you should run a young one with when they’re starting out

🐾 The best way to start using a tracking collar with a young dog

If you’ve ever asked yourself these same questions, this episode’s for you. Stevie keeps it real, sharing what’s worked in his own kennels, what mistakes to avoid, and how to help your dogs build confidence, consistency, and that pack instinct every good rabbit dog needs.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to turn frustration into progress — one hunt at a time.

And don’t forget to grab the book Producing a Future Rabbit Dog for a deeper step-by-step guide to training your next hound the right way, link below!

Book: Producing a Future Rabbit Dog

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/producing-a-future-rabbit-dog-guide-to-help-you-train-and-produce-a-future-rabbit-dog-1

Merch:

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/

We’ve all hunted with that guy — you know, the one who can’t help himself. In this episode of Thoughts of a Dog Man, I break down the “Don’t Be That Guy” list — the hunters we all love to joke about (and sometimes have been ourselves).

From the Spot-Stealer who hits your honey hole without you, to the Know-It-All who’s been hunting six months but swears he’s an expert, and the “Let Me See” Guy who’s gotta touch every new gun, scope, and handheld in camp — it’s all here.

We’re keeping it real, keeping it funny, and keeping it respectful. Because at the end of the day, this sport’s about good dogs, good hunts, and good company — and the best way to keep it that way is to not be that guy.

🐶💬 Whether you’re around the tailgate, scrolling Facebook, or in the woods with your buddies, you’re gonna know exactly who we’re talking about.

🎧 Tune in, laugh a little, and tag that one buddy who might need to hear this one.

If you would like to check out

Bawlin Out Kennel Gear

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/

Produce A Future Rabbit Dog Book

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/products/producing-a-future-rabbit-dog-guide-to-help-you-train-and-produce-a-future-rabbit-dog-1

When the hunt starts, safety has to come first — because one mistake in the field can change everything. In this episode, we’re talking real talk about hunter safety and awareness: handling your firearm the right way, keeping control when the excitement hits, and making sure everyone — dogs and people — make it home safe.

We’ll cover why every hunter should have a first aid kit and tourniquet ready in the truck, and what you can do to treat a wound until help arrives. Plus, we’ll talk dog safety and field care — from hydration to pressure dressings and how to handle cuts, punctures, or accidents when your dog gets hurt out there.

This isn’t just about hunting smart — it’s about hunting responsibly. Because before you drop the tailgate, there’s one goal that matters most: everyone goes home.

https://bawlinoutkennels.com/

On this episode, I discuss the brutal truths. Everyone loves the pictures of barking beagles, treed hounds, and bird dogs locked on point — but that’s not the full story. Behind every great hunt are hard lessons that most people don’t talk about. In this episode, I pull back the curtain and give you the brutal truths about hunting with dogs:

• Why most dogs will never make it, no matter their bloodline
• How handlers ruin more dogs than genetics ever will
• The true cost — in money, time, and relationships — that this lifestyle demands
• The heartbreak of lost dogs, tough culls, and failure in the field
• And why, after all of that, we still wouldn’t trade it for anything

This isn’t the sugarcoated version of hunting with dogs. It’s raw, unfiltered, and straight from experience. If you’ve ever felt the highs and lows of life with hunting dogs, you’ll relate. And if you’re just starting out, this episode might just save you years of frustration.

Because the truth is brutal — but it’s also what makes this life worth living.

In this episode, I discuss some of the mistakes I made as a new tree dog trainer. These are mistakes, I believe, that a new and beginning handler can avoid, which will help you speed up the process in your training. I know not everyone has a mentor to turn to to ask questions. At Bawlin Out Kennels, we aim to help new and beginning handlers with options on training and mindset that can help them on their hunting dog journey. I share seven mistakes I made in hopes that you do not make the same mistakes I did and get to the results faster!