Treeing is a method ofhunting wheredogs are used to force animals that naturally climb up into trees, where they can be assessed or shot by hunters. The idiomatic phrase "Barking up the wrong tree" comes from this practice.[1]
The treeing technique usesdogs to force naturally climbing animals into trees, where they can be assessed or shot byhunters. Treeing enables hunters to see the quarry and decide if the prey should be killed, and if so with a cleaner kill, or spared.[2] For example, females with youths may be left untouched,[2] or quarry may be observed or tagged for research.
Particularly used withcoonhunting, treeing dogs are selected for the instinct to not cease barking at an animal after it has escaped into a tree.[3] This method of hunting is also used forcougar andblack bear.
The dogs are trained tobay, not directly attack the quarry; however, it is not unheard of for the quarry to kill some of the dogs or for the dogs to kill the quarry. Usually, the quarry will climb a tree to escape the dogs after a period of chase and harassment.Blackmouth Cur use this method. Traditionally, the dogs were followed on foot by hunters listening to their barks, although some hunters now useradio direction finding equipment to follow the pack.
Treeing is also sometimes performed without the intention of killing the quarry for scientific purposes (such asradio-tagging) or recreational purposes. It is especially useful forcougars, which are notoriously stealthy and difficult to capture without the aid of dogs.
Research indicates that treeing and freeing predators, a process that is somewhat similar tocatch and release fishing, can encourage them to maintain a healthy distance from humans.[4][5]
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Treeing is illegal in several US states, including Montana,[6] New Mexico,[6] Oregon,[7] and Washington.[7]
Treeing is restricted in California, but permits may be sought for treeing mountain lions (cougars), bears, andbobcats in limited times and places.[8]
