Very true Hardstalk, it is part of the hound game but my hounds are part of my family. I've put a lot into them and they give everything for me. I've lost a few dogs over the years and seen others lose dogs. Its never easy and you always have the what could I have done different going on in your head. Like with any animal though you only think your in control until they decided different. These dogs live to give chase and tree/bay quarry, if they are gonna go then hunting is the way I'm sure they want it. We've lost dogs for a week and pulled them out and they're hunting now. Like I said, every time I turn dogs loose I cringe a little cause you never know.
By the way Elko is an awesome place with tons of goodies for the hunter/outdoorsman. Hounds are fantastic but it will consume you, its a way of life to me. Dogs 365 day and night. Even the off season ya gotta keep them in shape and healthy. When the lion or bear or bobcat is in that tree looking down at you and your dogs are singing it makes every bit of it more than worth it. Do it buddy, you'll be hooked.