well u need to get a coon hound first.... nota lab.... if u know of any people that do coon hunt.... if they have an older dog.... hunt it with their dog... trap some coons and train the dog on em.... i agree with TEmbry... a trackin system is good to have.... join a local coon huntin club if there is one near u... you can get great advice and they can help.... its the greatest huntin ever!!!