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Smoky #1
A Nose for Trouble
The big tawny dog named Smoky refused to hunt with the pack, so old Bill Tolliver gave the 'no-good hound' to Tom Rainse, the new Game Warden. Tom discovered that Smoky's keen bloodhound nose tracked men, not animals, and soon he was hot on the trail of a ring of poachers whose mysterious leader was called 'Black Elk.' These illegal hunters swore they'd kill anyone who got in their way, and now Warden Tom had a special partner who could smell trouble coming.
Would this tough mountain man and his fighting hound be able to stop the dangerous Black Elk gang? Or would the gentle elk, deer, and beaver disappear forever from this beautiful wild land?
Would this tough mountain man and his fighting hound be able to stop the dangerous Black Elk gang? Or would the gentle elk, deer, and beaver disappear forever from this beautiful wild land?
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1949
8 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Jim Kjelgaard
106 books163 followersan American author of young adult literature.
Born in New York City, New York, Jim Kjelgaard is the author of more than forty novels, the most famous of which is 1945's "Big Red." It sold 225,000 copies by 1956 and was made into a 1962 Walt Disney film with the same title, Big Red. His books were primarily about dogs and wild animals, often with animal protagonists and told from the animal's point of view.
Jim Kjelgaard committed suicide in 1959, after suffering for several years from chronic pain and depression.
- Wikipedia -
Born in New York City, New York, Jim Kjelgaard is the author of more than forty novels, the most famous of which is 1945's "Big Red." It sold 225,000 copies by 1956 and was made into a 1962 Walt Disney film with the same title, Big Red. His books were primarily about dogs and wild animals, often with animal protagonists and told from the animal's point of view.
Jim Kjelgaard committed suicide in 1959, after suffering for several years from chronic pain and depression.
- Wikipedia -
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 30, 2023
I enjoyed the book but it isn’t one of my favorites by Jim Kjelgaard. Most of the time his books make you stop and smell the flowers, or rather feel the beauty of the wild, and I didn’t feel that so much in this book. It was interesting to think of a time when ‘mountain men’ had to change their ways and abide by limits and hunting seasons enforced by a few game wardens. Also, interesting to think of that time from the game wardens perspective. The hunt for the poacher Black Elk was predictable, but the hunt to catch him and his cohorts was enjoyable.
The dog in the book had a good enough part, not too over the top, but good. The dog ‘Smoky’ was described this way:
It was a large, tawny hound, smoke-gray in color. One of its dangling ears had been ripped and was almost healed. Tom looked wonderingly at it. Its outward confirmation was similar to the Plott hounds that made up old Bill’s pack, but it was not a Plott hound. Its jowls were very heavy, and overhung the lower jaw in leathery folds. On the sad-looking face, tan relieved the hounds smoky-gray color.
The dog in the book had a good enough part, not too over the top, but good. The dog ‘Smoky’ was described this way:
It was a large, tawny hound, smoke-gray in color. One of its dangling ears had been ripped and was almost healed. Tom looked wonderingly at it. Its outward confirmation was similar to the Plott hounds that made up old Bill’s pack, but it was not a Plott hound. Its jowls were very heavy, and overhung the lower jaw in leathery folds. On the sad-looking face, tan relieved the hounds smoky-gray color.
July 31, 2025
This is a review of the 3rd printing, April 1986 edition. There's one illustration of a hound dog on the title page, but no other illustrations.
Although the cover image shows a bloodhound, Smoky is actually a half-bloodhound, half Plott hound. He's often described as tawny, but he's also described as smoke grey, hence his name. Well, it's your imagination -- make him purple if you want to.
This is more of a people story than a dog story. It's also a horse story, since the piebald Pete winds up playing a bigger part in this book than Smoky. The book is told through the point of view of Tom, who has come home again after striking a bit of gold. Just what year this is set in wasn't given, but I'm guessing it was about 1900.
This is an action-filled, quick moving story. It was also a mystery -- just who is "the Black Elk"? It wasn't who I thought it was.
I in no way support modern sport fishing or hunting. Now, back then, they were the only way to get food. Going to town for supplies was difficult enough that it was a rare event.
Although the cover image shows a bloodhound, Smoky is actually a half-bloodhound, half Plott hound. He's often described as tawny, but he's also described as smoke grey, hence his name. Well, it's your imagination -- make him purple if you want to.
This is more of a people story than a dog story. It's also a horse story, since the piebald Pete winds up playing a bigger part in this book than Smoky. The book is told through the point of view of Tom, who has come home again after striking a bit of gold. Just what year this is set in wasn't given, but I'm guessing it was about 1900.
This is an action-filled, quick moving story. It was also a mystery -- just who is "the Black Elk"? It wasn't who I thought it was.
I in no way support modern sport fishing or hunting. Now, back then, they were the only way to get food. Going to town for supplies was difficult enough that it was a rare event.
September 10, 2024
What a wild ride this was. A western mystery of a game warden, his new pals Pete and Smoky trying to figure out who this Black Elk poacher and his gang is and what friends or enemies they will come across.
This is honestly my first western read and I quite enjoyed it. Maybe I'm being a bit biased by only reading one really awesome children's western but knowing that I truly loved the setup, the characters and how Tom our main character makes friends with a game warden named Buck Brunt, which might I say that name fits his redhead personality just perfectly. I appreciated the tone, the adventure and the wildlife. It has charm and kept me up late at night trying to finish reading this.
Lucky for me there's another read after this one where it'll follow the same people. I highly recommend picking this up if you want to be transported to a world we no longer get to see physically but at least can visit anytime in a book such as this.
This is honestly my first western read and I quite enjoyed it. Maybe I'm being a bit biased by only reading one really awesome children's western but knowing that I truly loved the setup, the characters and how Tom our main character makes friends with a game warden named Buck Brunt, which might I say that name fits his redhead personality just perfectly. I appreciated the tone, the adventure and the wildlife. It has charm and kept me up late at night trying to finish reading this.
Lucky for me there's another read after this one where it'll follow the same people. I highly recommend picking this up if you want to be transported to a world we no longer get to see physically but at least can visit anytime in a book such as this.
June 11, 2009
Despite being classified as a typical 'young boy's adventure book', I think this will appeal to a much wider audience. It's a tale of mystery that has numerous twists and turns, and a satisfyingly unexpected ending. The characters are well-developed, too.
You can't really compare this novel to White Fang or Call of the Wild; this book is far from being about a dog. It really captures the lives of people living in the mountains, and the politics of hunting laws. The main character, Tom, becomes embroiled against his will in a battle against illegal poachers in order to preserve the wildlife of his homeland.
Sadly, this book is out of print, but your local library may have it.
You can't really compare this novel to White Fang or Call of the Wild; this book is far from being about a dog. It really captures the lives of people living in the mountains, and the politics of hunting laws. The main character, Tom, becomes embroiled against his will in a battle against illegal poachers in order to preserve the wildlife of his homeland.
Sadly, this book is out of print, but your local library may have it.
June 4, 2018
In the book A Nose For Trouble Tom comes back to his mountain cabin after 5 long years away, he gets a new job as a game warden to help Buck catch the poachers and their leader Black Elk. with his new man tracking dog smokey will they catch them? I love this book it reminds me of when we used to go out west elk hunting when I was little. i think this is a great book and shows the love some people have for the outdoors. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the outdoors!
October 25, 2017
A young game warden is gifted a hound who refuses to track anything but people. This habit leads both man and hound into a mess of trouble.
The only thing I would change about this fast paced adventure is the conservation babble. Please. Game warden? Why don't we just have a Social Justice Warrior and be done with it? Does anyone even know what hypocrites these people are? Who the heck cares if some hungry hillbillies poached one or maybe two elk. If they can't afford tags, how can they afford groceries all winter? And let's not forget the part where elk snitch out of people's gardens. They don't get fined. And while these game wardens and their ilk attack people for hunting and 'destroying wildlife's blah blah, they somehow have the right to decide what wildlife should live where. Like rehoming Wolves from Alaska to Montana and Idaho, where they kill off the native wolves and then start in on livestock, completely ignoring the deer infestation.
Oh, even better, where they restock streams with different fish. They pour a poison into the water which kills everything in it downstream! Somehow they feel confident that it isn't harming the rivers that the streams flow into, but do you believe that? And what about the animals who drink from the poisoned streams and get sick, or die? And all the other water species other than the fish who get killed because somebody wants to control the environment and decide what species lives where? I have even heard that there aren't any truly native fish anywhere that they are actually native to because of mismanagement. So that makes me very upset with the choice of protagonist in this story. He isn't a hero, and he isn't doing any good because of his occupation.
The only thing I would change about this fast paced adventure is the conservation babble. Please. Game warden? Why don't we just have a Social Justice Warrior and be done with it? Does anyone even know what hypocrites these people are? Who the heck cares if some hungry hillbillies poached one or maybe two elk. If they can't afford tags, how can they afford groceries all winter? And let's not forget the part where elk snitch out of people's gardens. They don't get fined. And while these game wardens and their ilk attack people for hunting and 'destroying wildlife's blah blah, they somehow have the right to decide what wildlife should live where. Like rehoming Wolves from Alaska to Montana and Idaho, where they kill off the native wolves and then start in on livestock, completely ignoring the deer infestation.
Oh, even better, where they restock streams with different fish. They pour a poison into the water which kills everything in it downstream! Somehow they feel confident that it isn't harming the rivers that the streams flow into, but do you believe that? And what about the animals who drink from the poisoned streams and get sick, or die? And all the other water species other than the fish who get killed because somebody wants to control the environment and decide what species lives where? I have even heard that there aren't any truly native fish anywhere that they are actually native to because of mismanagement. So that makes me very upset with the choice of protagonist in this story. He isn't a hero, and he isn't doing any good because of his occupation.
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November 22, 2023I picked this up at a Little Free Library because of that good boy on the cover. Turns out it’s not really a dog story, but a story about the politics of mountaineer hunting (specifically the dangers of poaching) with some adventure thrown in. Fine for what it is - a kids book from the 40s - but it doesn’t do much for me today.
September 2, 2023
I didn’t know there was a Kjelgaard book I hadn’t read till I found this one. I loved it and will be buying my own copy as soon as I can find it. Smoky is a wonderful dog. Stormy is still my favorite, but Smoky is great.
October 24, 2018
really good
September 7, 2020
Enjoyable story! I like Tom Rainse. I look forward to finding the 2nd book about him and Smoky.
July 19, 2022
Fun read. I've had this on our kid's bookshelf since 1998. First Kjelgaard book I have read. I liked it.
May 31, 2025
C+. fiction, western; game waren and dog capture bad guy; from stash; keep to give to James
March 30, 2013
“Learning To Trust His Hound”
Despite the Bantam Skylark paperback format this violent 1949 tale does not prove typical YA fare. The protagonist, likable Tom Rainse, is 19-21; the plot includes kidnapping and attempted murder; no children or teens are included in this Western type thriller which is set in the mountains of the Northeast. Still, readers of all ages will quickly grasp the author’s intention to educate the public re the critical importance of Wildlife Preservation—not just to protect endangered species, but to ensure good, legal hunting for future generations.
Tom changes his plans for a brief visit to remain permanently in his family’s old log cabin. Quickly acquiring a fast horse and a friendly hound dog named Smoky, Tom is plunged into a three-way war over the wildlife: the local mountain men who are used to hunting at will; the arrival of a game warden for the first time in the wilderness area; and the illegal activities of a vicious game of poachers, lead by the mysterious Black Elk—a ruthless killer of anything on four feet—or even two. Where will Tom stand in this deadly battle of wills and profit?
Much hinges on his faith in his new hound’s ability to track a trail; alas, the dog is not meant for hunting game, but prefers to track Man. Tom is often torn between following the trail of his eyes and logical evidence, versus the trail of the nose of his canine companion. But Smoky proves worth his keep as Tom tracks the vile poachers—alone, or with the new warden. Old loyalties will be put to the test as Tom ferrets out the leader of the gang. Meanwhile the two wardens set out to “educate” the locals about the value of hunting and trapping legally. Will Tom choose to protect the deer and beaver populations at the expense of old friendships? Whatever path he takes he comes to rely on Smoky’s keen nose, as he seeks to protect wildlife and keep peace in the mountains. An action-packed adventure story for dog lovers of all ages.
(May 29, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
Despite the Bantam Skylark paperback format this violent 1949 tale does not prove typical YA fare. The protagonist, likable Tom Rainse, is 19-21; the plot includes kidnapping and attempted murder; no children or teens are included in this Western type thriller which is set in the mountains of the Northeast. Still, readers of all ages will quickly grasp the author’s intention to educate the public re the critical importance of Wildlife Preservation—not just to protect endangered species, but to ensure good, legal hunting for future generations.
Tom changes his plans for a brief visit to remain permanently in his family’s old log cabin. Quickly acquiring a fast horse and a friendly hound dog named Smoky, Tom is plunged into a three-way war over the wildlife: the local mountain men who are used to hunting at will; the arrival of a game warden for the first time in the wilderness area; and the illegal activities of a vicious game of poachers, lead by the mysterious Black Elk—a ruthless killer of anything on four feet—or even two. Where will Tom stand in this deadly battle of wills and profit?
Much hinges on his faith in his new hound’s ability to track a trail; alas, the dog is not meant for hunting game, but prefers to track Man. Tom is often torn between following the trail of his eyes and logical evidence, versus the trail of the nose of his canine companion. But Smoky proves worth his keep as Tom tracks the vile poachers—alone, or with the new warden. Old loyalties will be put to the test as Tom ferrets out the leader of the gang. Meanwhile the two wardens set out to “educate” the locals about the value of hunting and trapping legally. Will Tom choose to protect the deer and beaver populations at the expense of old friendships? Whatever path he takes he comes to rely on Smoky’s keen nose, as he seeks to protect wildlife and keep peace in the mountains. An action-packed adventure story for dog lovers of all ages.
(May 29, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
March 27, 2016
A Nose For Trouble, by Jim Kjelgaard taught me a little about how life was during frontier times. In the book it would explain how very few people lived in the mountains and each person could walk all around the mountain without running into anybody or seeing any houses. Also, people hunted year round for their food. They did not follow the specific hunting seasons. I think that this is one of the top realistic fiction books that i have read because not very many books can keep me hooked for long, but this one can. I am always anxious to read the next page because of the action that it contains. T believe that's what made me learn more about these earlier times is the desire to keep reading.
October 3, 2007
Wonderful dog sled adventure Kjeelgaard is a fine author! Perhaps even BETTER than Jack Londen!
June 24, 2015
This book is great not only for animal lovers but also for those who enjoy a good adventure story. It's a shame these are out of print.
August 3, 2011
My favorite book growing up and I still love it
January 10, 2014
More mystery than some of his others. Tracking poachers. Good plot, but not as memorable as a couple of his others whose scenes are forever imprinted in my mind.
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February 12, 2009JAR5-Kje
October 21, 2015
This was one of the longest and my favourite Kjelgaard books when I was younger.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews