Full Cry Magazine: Dec '23/ Jan '24 by Full Cry Magazine

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

From the Editor’s Desk Dani Duby - Editor, Full Cry Magazine

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. The holidays are an allout sprint at our house. We start with our oldest child's birthday on the 23rd and then proceed to add the holidays, two more birthdays, and our anniversary before the end of January. This year we will be adding a trip to Grand American in also. We look forward to meeting so many of you for the �irst time! Our middle boy is one of the January birthdays. He declared to me the other day “Mom, I’m going to Roger’s to catch a lion for my birthday!” Which sounds like a great plan, except Roger lives in Nevada, and my child is turning six. So it looks like we may try and squeeze a road trip in before this next issue also. We ’ve been reading a lot of back issues and the editor's letters that they contain. What I have come to realize is that Mrs. Walker was my kind of woman. I laughed out loud at her honesty, frankness, and no-punches-pulled statements addressing the issues as they came. I have related as she talked about word count restrictions, self-promotion within the articles submitted, and complaints over content. Taking a page from her book, lets address the concerns that have come across my desk this month:

1: ‘You're limiting what clubs

say to 300 words’

Club updates have had a ‘general’ word limit placed. There are exceptions to that rule made for those that have something important to say, that is relevant to the sport. I received a call from an upset woman who claimed ‘you

can’t say hello or goodbye in 300 words.’ We are at 300 words in this column so far; if we can stay on topic, indeed, we can. Words cost space. Space costs pages. Pages cost money. Clubs are welcome to purchase column inch ads at a discount for more room. 2: ‘Where are the recipes?’

I am not opposed to having a recipe section in the magazine. In fact, it is something I am actively working to curate. However; it needs to stay on theme. Recipes will have to involve a treed game. We are a hunting dog magazine �irst and foremost. Any recipe that isn’t associated with the game our dogs hunt doesn’t belong in our pages.

3: ‘Where is the list of upcoming

hunts?’

I cannot print what hasn’t been provided. The major kennel clubs have been reached out to, those who have responded have been provided deadlines and opportunities. If you �ind yourself missing registry provided information from our pages (such as schedules and standings), I suggest you call your registry and request they submit content. I will detour from this statement to say a thank you to the AKC Coonhound Department for getting me a write up on their World Hunt so quickly after their event in order meet my publication deadlines.

4: ‘Are you only going to be publishing <insert squirrel dog, big game dog, or coonhound here> content?’

We are working hard to celebrate all things treehound and share them equally over the entirety of the magazine. Some issues may be more big game. Some Cur and Feist. Others coonhound. But the overall average will split pretty fairly. We all have something to learn from each other even if it's not your game of choice. United we stand. Divided we fall.

I don’t want to leave this conversation on complaints so let’s talk about the good: What a reception our October issue had! We are so thankful to each and every one of you that made our relaunch a success, we printed what we thought would be ample extras.... and still sold out before October 1st. This issue we are going up in print by 1,000 copies! Please continue to share with your friends, submit content, and encourage advertisers. I have had multiple people call because they heard their picture or name appeared in the last issue. For some, unfortunately, I had to say: ‘Sorry I’m sold out.’

It is our hope that each issue you will �ind yourself walking alongside a dog on a track in the story, �ind your name in an article, photo, or club news, or even most importantly �ind your passion reignited for the sport. One way or another, I hope we have created a place for you to �ind yourself in the pages of this issue.

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

ANNOUNCEMENTS M A G A Z I N E Published Bi-Monthly for the Coonhound & Treedog Enthusiast

EDITOR Dani Duby

dani@fullcrymag.com

ADVERTISING Jason Duby

jason@fullcrymag.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Jaren Hobson

publish@fullcrymag.com

PUBLISHED BY Duby Family Enterprises LLC dba Full Cry Magazine PO BOX 128 Merlin, OR 97532 CONTACT US 1-866-FULL-CRY www.FullCryMag.com

WIN AN ORIGINAL VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 FULL CRY MAGAZINE

FROM FEBRUARY 1939! We are giving away a little piece of hound history. It is through mentorship that we ‘grow up’ the next generation of hunters and ensure the longevity of our sport. We are featuring the houndsmen that shaped us in the February/ March 2024 issue. To be entered to win the original copy, we are asking for your story submissions. Here’s how to enter: 1. Write a story about a houndsmen that influenced you. 2. Keep it to 600 words or less (add a picture or two if you want!) 3. Send your submission via email to dani@fullcrymag.com or mail to Full Cry Magazine PO Box 128 Merlin OR 97532 4. Deadline for submissions is 12/31/2023

@FullCryMag

5. We will feature a few of these stories in the February/March 2024 issue and one will be selected as the winner!

@FullCryMagazine

USPS Identification Statement: Full Cry, USPS: 20802, ISSN: 00162620, is published bimonthly by Duby Family Enterprises, LLC. 1072 Plumtree Lane Grants Pass, OR 97526. Danielle Duby, Editor. Subscription $36 per year, 2 years $65. Periodicals postage paid at Grants Pass, OR and other post offices. Postmasters: Send address changes to Full Cry, PO Box 128, Merlin OR 97523. Full Cry Magazine is intended solely for informational and entertainment purposes. The opinions expressed by our contributors and within advertisements do not necessarily represent our endorsement. We hold no liability for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Safety should always be paramount, and we strongly urge readers to adhere to all applicable laws and seek guidance as needed. Reproduction of any content in this magazine is strictly prohibited without express permission from the publisher. Established February 1939 by Muriss and Estelle H. Walker © Copyright 2024

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

SUBMISSIONS FOR FEB /MARCH 2024 ISSUE ARE DUE DECEMBER 31, 2023

w w w. f ullc r y m ag . c o m

CONTENTS

VOL. 85 NO. 8 DECEMBER 2023 / JANUARY 2024

COVER STORY

06 06 A Timeless Tradition

with a Truly American Hunting Dog by Chris Ingram

10 Winter with a Purpose

Unveiling the Heartwarming Stories of Houndsmen for Heroes by Laurellynn Sewell

14 Cowboys & Coonhunters Hound Sports Embrace Cowboy Culture in the Hunt for Tradition by Corey Gruver

18 To The Masses

CaneStream Media and the Elite Handler Series by Josh Michaelis

20 Silence of the Hounds

Preserving the Legacy of Dogmen and Their Hunt for the Wild Frontier by Jason Haley

27 Champions Unleashed 2023 AKC World Hunt Championship & World Show by Lauren Lee

30 Triumph in the Trees

2023 UKC World Hunt Final Cast by Clayton Stark

32 Legends of the Past

Exploring the Legacy of ACHA in Coon Hunting History by Don Nicely

36 Strike & Stay

Interview with Eugene Walker of Pocahontas Plott Kennels by Bob Plott

42 From Birth to New Homes Nurturing Healthy Puppies for a Strong Start by Taylor Young, DVM

46 Answering the Call

Embracing Tradition and Passing on the Torch of the Hunt by Jimmy Weaver

52 Unlikely Bonds

The Cur Dog Chronicles:Part One by Larry Case

54 Canadian Tree Dog

Exploring Quebec’s Coonhunting Heritage and Unique Challenges with Marc Gauthier by Mickey Siddle

58 Tell Your Story

Turning Hunting Adventures into Timeless Tales by Chris Powell

62 Chasing Passions

Unraveling the Heartbeat of Hound Hunting

66 Thinking Outside the (Dog) Box

Game-Changing Strategies for Bear Pursuits by Barry "Bear" Siragusa

70 Youth Triumphs

Kentucky Houndsmen Association by Hannah Chapman

72 Around the Campfire with Mark Zepp

74 Kids Corner 75 Feed Him Every Night Poem

by Jack Wilkinson

76 Book Corner

"Tigrero!" Review by Danny Boppe

80 News & Views 96 Classifieds/Obits 98 The Ole Hound Dog's Song Poem

by Tara Cardinal

by Joe Yoder Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

ON THE COVER

@chris.ingram802

@featherwink.creative

A Timeless Tradition with a Truly American Hunting Dog

Squirrel hunting takes on a new life when shared with the spunky and sprightly feist

lthough I have spent most of my hunting career as an upland bird and waterfowl hunter, my curiosity for all hunting dogs has pushed me into the world of hounds and tree dogs in recent years. Every hunting season, I try to make it a point to link up with new hunters, run with different dogs, explore new-to-me covers, check off a new huntable species, or otherwise unlock a new experience in my journey as a hunter. STORY AND PHOTOS

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

BY CHRIS INGRAM

After a banner year of �irsts —most notably a pair of wild Indiana bobwhite quail—there was little that was going to be able to top off the 20212022 season. But it was early December in Vermont, and Old Man Winter was beginning to settle in with his soft blanket of white to cover the overgrown hillside farms and alder bottoms where I had spent the last two and a half months in pursuit of ruffed grouse and woodcock. When the invitation came to join a new friend for a late season squirrel hunt with his feists, I couldn’t get over there fast enough to hunt a neighboring state in a uniquely unconventional way.

Fueled by the wild anticipation of what was to come, the 90-minute drive across the bridge to the Adirondack Mountains of New York felt like mere minutes as I pulled into Vance’s place late in the afternoon. We exchanged a short string of pleasantries and promptly made our way over to a local cover owned by

a mutual friend. The darkened, sunless sky accelerated the plummeting temperature and briskly pushed this wintery day toward nightfall. Our window of opportunity to squeeze in an afternoon hunt was solemnly �leeting, but aren’t all of our days a�ield measured as such, and either way, I would get a second chance the following morning. Snow and ice popped under the weight of the truck as we crept up the frozen gravel driveway to park at a gate. We slipped into our boots and adorned our woodland attire of straps vests and briar chaps. Vance collared up two sleek, muscular, short-haired dogs, we loaded our shotguns, and the hunt was on.

We began conversing over the usual get-to-know-yous and how-has-your-season-been, when his favorite female dog, Sally, abruptly broke our banter by alerting us she had found what we were looking for. That’s right, she sounded off with a striking indication to wholly

declare this was not my familiar bird hunt. We were chasing the “chicken of the woods” not the mushy, mycologic kind, but rather the small game icon that is the gray squirrel, with a pair of feists — a truly authentic, American hunting dog breed. CHOSEN BY CHANCE

Vance Plante grew up in northern New York where he kept coonhounds, curs, and herding dogs, and grew up hunting fox, rabbit, and other small game. Just a few years ago, after retiring and wanting to get back into hunting dogs, he was faced a dif�icult decision: Pick up an American Brittany to hunt birds or a feist to follow squirrels. Fast forward a few years, and there was never a second guess in his mind as Plante is now the secretary of the United Treeing Feist Association (chartered with UKC), where he proudly owns, hunts, and competes a brace of feists and works for the betterment of the breed.

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

“I went with the feist because I wanted something a little different,” Plante declared. “They’re friendly, personable, and not a very imposing dog. It’s easy to get on a lot of land to hunt. You might get a chuckle or two when you step out of your truck with a little dog to go squirrel hunting, but most folks could care less, and you can easily cover the smaller woodlots that big game hunters overlook.”

Plante also af�irms the high IQ of these little tree dogs is second to none. “You can teach them a little bit of hand signals, and they have to use their eyes, their ears, and their nose if they’re going to be successful at treeing squirrels.”

He’s right. It’s a real thrill to watch these tenacious little dogs hunt. You’ll see them stop to scan the treetops for subtle movement, pause to listen for squirrel chatter, and sniff the air for scent. “My dogs use all of their senses,” Plante asserted. “They’re 50 percent nose, 25 percent ears, and 25 percent eyes, and they know how to stay on a squirrel and will follow one if it bails from tree to tree.” CONTROLLED CHAOS

If you enjoy the bond and dynamic of working with any other type of hunting dog, you’re bound to fancy hunting with a feist. Collar them up and cast them out to scour the timber. Let them range out to a few hundred yards; far enough to do their job, but close enough so you can regroup to do yours — and be ready, because the commotion will soon begin. Hunting squirrels is inherently nostalgic and fondly sends us

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

back to our youth, but hunting squirrels with feists can unleash comical, childlike pandemonium at the sound of a tree bark. Picture four grown men, ages 36 to 71, completely lose their composure and abandon awareness of their age as they heckle each other, fumble over logs in deep snow to surround a tree and shoot at a squirrel, only to be amusingly outwitted by a crafty critter who timbered off or slipped away into the inextricable stronghold of a den tree.

There’s something indescribable about reconnecting with my own upbringing in the small game woods along with a new sense of pride for continuing a couple of enduring American traditions.

There’s really nothing else like it. I felt like I was ten years old again with these dogs and I have missed that feeling ever since. There’s something indescribable about reconnecting with my own upbringing in the small game woods along with a new sense of pride for continuing a couple of enduring American traditions. PRESERVING A PIVOTAL PASTIME

“Squirrel hunting is a great introduction to the outdoors, it’s a non-discriminatory sport, and is something you can do as a family,” Plante added. “It’s a great way to get youth involved. I can take my grandson who gets

excited when I’m out banging on a tree trying to get a squirrel to move. My wife loves to join me too, and we’re in a little bit of a competition as she now has a pup of her own. Sometimes a bunch of us hunters will meet somewhere, and we’ll divide up and turn the dogs loose; you might change who you’re with during the hunt, so it’s a great chance to talk and visit.”

Squirrel hunting represents an easy and less intimidating entry point to recruit more hunters into the fold. Squirrels are widely abundant across North America and easily accessible on both public and private lands. Whether you bring a dog or not, I don’t think you’ll have any problem getting access to private property or locating nearby ground to hunt. You need nothing more than a sturdy pair of boots, a shotgun or .22 ri�le, and a childlike enthusiasm to enjoy squirrel hunting. With extended hunting seasons and hefty bag limits, fox and gray squirrels will keep you busy with endless hours of fun. Truth be told, you don’t need a dedicated squirrel dog, and don’t assume it’s any easier with higher kill rates behind a well-bred, properly trained feist, as squirrels have an uncanny ability to evade even the savviest of dogs and hunters. But it’s undeniable you will have a more satisfying experience hunting with a spirited, hard-working feist. These small, spunky dogs make great pets and devoted hunting companions to offer the entire family an excuse to head to the woods together; after all, aren’t most things in life just better with a dog at our side? I know that I for one, will undoubtedly be �itting a feist into my future.

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

THREE VETERANS HOSTED BY HOUNDSMEN FOR HEROES DISPLAY THEIR CATCH FROM A HUNT IN BURNS, OR

Winter with a Purpose Unveiling the Heartwarming Stories of Houndsmen for Heroes

he phone rings and startles me out of bed. My husband's voice, on the other end of the line, says: “We got one, we’re on our way back”. I make my way through the house to plug in the forty-cup-pot of coffee and enjoy the 1st cup by myself in the dim light of the house. If someone were to ask me what time it was I wouldn’t have a clue but, with a look at my watch I see that it is 4:30 in the morning. I know the crew will de�initely want breakfast or, what technically could also be their dinner from the night before. Outside the window, I see a blanket of snow with more falling, a quiet silence only winter can create.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

BY LAURELLYNN SEWELL

One by one, the trucks roll down the driveway. The dogs in the box are quiet. A clear sign that it was a good race, and they’re all tired. The vivacious and lively group of men that left two nights prior looks a little more haggard today but happy, even after such little sleep they got in the cabs of the trucks. I watch from the window while they give their dogs a well-earned and hearty meal before picking them up like a sleepy child and placing them back in the dog box, each hound too tired to jump onto the tailgate as eagerly as they did the nights before. One by one, the men come inside excited to tell the story of how the hunt went down. Some lay out wet clothes and boots by the �ire. “I don’t know where the heck you went! Tried calling you on the radio a dozen times. What road did you go down?” “I told you the lower road!”

The banter of houndsmen begins as they all chatter, �ill their cups with hot coffee and start to dish up the food in front of them. They could care less what it was. (I probably care more than they do). It’s hot, ready, and better than any of the junk food they’ve been living off of for the last 36 hours. Behind the last group of men coming into the house is an Army veteran, grinning ear to ear. The room erupts into congratulations and questions about the race. “I never knew a sniper would need to shoot three times to get a cat up a tree.” Snickers and chuckles all across the room.

“Don’t tell any of my Army buddies, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

His fellow hunting vet replies:

“If you were a Marine you would have made one shot.”

The whole room howls with laughter as they continue shoveling food into their faces. They rehash the events: which dogs cut the tracks, how far they had to go, and how long it took to get it out of the tree. Every year it changes a little bit, but the scenario is always the same. The races could be long or short. The conditions could be feet of snow, or just dry ground. But, the goal at the Houndsmen for Heroes event is always the same. We want our veteran heroes to show up and have an incredible experience, all while hopefully creating a positive avenue and outlet for them in hound hunting.

“At Houndsmen for Heroes we wanted to take it further than just saying, ‘Thank you, Vets!’ We put the rubber to the road, the dogs in the box, and the time in the mountains, to show them how grateful we are.”

Usually, the men who come on these excursions every year walk in the door a little quiet, a little shy, and fairly nervous. After just a night or two bumping around in the trucks, running the dogs, and operating on very little sleep, they become fast friends. Now comrades together in the battle of the mountain, chasing bobcats, and talking about life.

Most people don’t know how they can take their passion and use it for the greater good. We never would’ve imagined that Houndsmen for Heroes would become something that everybody believed in so much, and which had the ability to speak to so many lives. We aren’t a big operation; just a few unpaid houndsmen board members and the “camp mom” (me) keeping everyone happy and fed. Over the course of the past �ive years, we have hosted 13 veterans and will host another four again this bobcat hunting season. We start off the hunt in the high desert of eastern Oregon in the town of Burns that my husband and I call home. This vast region in the high desert allows us to navigate timber in snowy conditions. Another hunt happens later on in the season, on the western side of Oregon, in the rainy coastal mountain range. Two veterans are always selected for each of these hunts. We have tried with more than two, and decided quality is better than quantity. We want to create personal relationships and see these veterans succeed on their �irst bobcat hunting adventure. Two just seems to work. The hunt always starts the same, lots of getting to know you questions, talking about how this will operate and what to expect. As the houndsmen taking them know they should expect the unexpected We always have some sort of adventure along the way and create great lasting memories with each of our heroes before they go home. What starts off with a nervous handshake, ends with a hug and a “Can’t wait to see you again”. The hunters are Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

just a handful of the many men and women who have fought tirelessly for our country, and have to come home to a place that may not welcome them so warmly. Re-adapting from military culture to the culture of the United States is extremely dif�icult for all of them. They express this blatantly acrossthe-board, and share that in common no matter what branch of service. At Houndsmen for Heroes we wanted to take it further than just saying, “Thank you, Vets!” We put the rubber to the road, the dogs in the box, and the time in the mountains, to show them how grateful we are. The common denominator we have heard from all of our heroes is that hound hunting is very similar to being out on deployment. Both have inconsistent hours, very little sleep, lots of waiting and then getting ready to go quickly. By no means do the houndsmen replace or emulate the relationships the veterans create in these scenarios, but we’re glad that they have learned a positive outlet and and hopefully see this hunting adventure as a way to �ind their way back to civilian life.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

Houndsmen for Heroes operates solely on donations. Thanks to the amazing support of Fern Ridge Tree Hound Club in Lebanon, Oregon, Houndsmen for Heroes was able to obtain our 501(c)(3) nonpro�it status in 2017. This was an arduous process and had quite a bit of cost . We thank them for being among the founding fathers in this organization. That dedication is what this is all about really: a simple, small group of men and women �inding some way to give back, seeing the potential good, taking care of others, and just �lat out making it happen.

As the men begin to �inish their stories and coffee, their plates empty of food, the conversation begins to die down and you can see each one beginning to droop their eyelids like an old man in his easy chair. Some even begin to doze off on the couch by the �ire. In a moment of silence, the �irst voice breaks out,“Well, I guess I better head down and hit the sack.” “Me too.” “Yep, right behind ya.” “I don’t know how you could sleep anymore, you were sawing logs up there on the mountain! I

thought you were going to start an earthquake.”

A little more laughter, a little more conversation, then -one by one- they slowly walk out the door headed for the shop, making their way to a cot, a bed, or the shower.

The house is silent again. I toss around the idea of possibly going back to bed after doing the dishes but I �igure I better get started on a meal for when they decide to wake up again in a few hours, because I know they’ll be hungry. They’ve got another tag to �ill and Lord knows, they could use the energy. I’m always tired after these weekends but, by the end of the event, someone usually has me in tears: telling me “Thank you!” for doing something as simple as making food and �illing out paperwork. How can I, how can WE say you’re welcome to someone that has done so much more than we could ever repay them for? And when they are grateful, for what little you has done, how could you not return every year and do it again, and again, and again.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS A Heroes’ Perspective Post Hunt “Everything was covered for me, the license, the tag, a place to stay (even though I only got to get a quick 4-hour nap at the house through the entire weekend), some amazing meals, tons of snacks, a bunch of cool swag, and even a fuel card to cover travel expenses.” “It can be awkward going into a situation where you’re being put on a pedestal, and then getting set into a group with another veteran and trying to break the ice. But it was a very quick transition from going on a hunt provided by a non-profit, to going on a hunt with people that felt like long time buddies. Every single person on this trip had a genuine heart of gold, and I walked away with

some amazing memories, some sore muscles, but more than that a new group of people that I hope to keep in my life.” “One of the hardest things since I’ve gotten out from the military is finding people that truly have your back. You go from a situation in the military where you don’t necessarily like each other, but you love each other to the extent where you’re willing to die for each other. In the civilian world, connections like that are rare. I feel that with this crew, I found as close to that connection within the military as you can get on the outside.”

- Emerson Budreau

To donate or apply, visit: houndsmen4heroes.com

or write: Houndsmen for Heroes PO Box 1539 Hines, OR 97738 Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Cowboys & Coonhunters Hound Sports Embrace Cowboy Culture in the Hunt for Tradition BY COREY GRUVER

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

he other day, while combing through the wide reaches of the world wide web, I stumbled across an ad for a ProSport Hunt to be held in Leiter’s Ford, Indiana. While I don’t know much about ProSport or their events, the ad grabbed my attention almost immediately. There, center stage of the advertisement, was none other than the great John Wayne.

Taken aback, I examined further. I am a big John Wayne fan in my own right, but I never anticipated seeing The Duke’s likeness in an advertisement for a coon hunt. The only coonhunting I remember Wayne ever talking about in any of his movie’s was during his academy award winning performance in “True Grit”.

The hunt was titled “ProSport Shootout”. The photo used in the ad was from the 1967 motion picture “War Wagon”, starring the Duke and costar Kirk Douglas. In the photo, each actor is holding their trustworthy revolving pistols (or ‘hoglegs’ as Wayne used to call them). Presumably, shots were �ired in the name of justice, at some great villain within the story line. As amusing as the ad might have been to anyone that saw it, it illustrates an interesting dichotomy surrounding the world of competition coonhunting as we see it today. More than ever, there is a major movement to make the perception of coonhunting that it is an “extreme sport”. Maybe extreme isn’t the right way to put it. ‘Macho’ might be a better term. Scour the endless lists of competition coonhunting pages on Facebook, and you’ll turn up various terms to describe these ‘money hunts’ such as ‘shootout’, ‘one on one’ or ‘knockout’.

The idea of hunting for money is not a new one. However, the idea of prize money exceeding that of $50,000 is relatively new. Much like the people who would be known as ‘cowboys’, who seized an opportunity after the acquisition of the ‘Louisiana Purchase’ in 1803 to explore a new horizon, competition coonhunter’s now have their opportunity to do the same, by way of a multitude of large purse “money hunts”. This of course lends itself to invite only the most serious and seasoned contestants to the entry table, and most of them are locked and loaded for bear.

Interestingly enough (relating this story back to John Wayne), there seems to be a growing faction of the competition coonhunting world that are embracing a culture that re�lects that of a modern day “Wild West”. Not only is the atmosphere of the hunt itself changing, but these serious competitors are seemingly adopting personas much like those surrounding the cowboys that rode across history. I’m sure that we can all sit down and think of a few people that we have hunted with that �it the bill to play roles such as Wyatt Earp, Butch Cassidy, Billy The Kid or even Annie Oakley. After all, America was at one time enthralled with the idea of a good block-buster Western.

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

In some ways, these “cowboy coonhunters” may in�luence us that do not compete in large purse money hunts, the same way that the movie screen cowboys have in�luenced an America in the past. We as the audience can now sit back and watch the popular hunters like John Stickland, JR Gray, Scott Engle or Randy Smith, and admire their boldness as they traverse an unfamiliar and sometimes unforgiving landscape. We can imagine what it would be like to sit in the saddle for ourselves, calling the shots on hounds like Apollo, Indiana Outlaw, Electric Rodeo or Rack’Em Willy. Heck, even the names of the hounds winning these “big hunts” re�lect their owner’s desire to mimic a life forged on the “frontier”.

While this writer maintains that the connections between coonhunting and a historical wild west are no more than a coincidence of sorts, I think there exists a great deal of sage wisdom that the cowboys of yesteryear could share with all of us houndsmen today, should we begin to adopt their ways. The following is a collection of some of the best excerpts I could �ind that can be applied to the hounds sports we all enjoy: “I’ve often said that there is nothing better for a man’s insides than the outside of a horse” - Ronald Reagan

Ironically enough, even Ronald Regan, the 40th President of the United States, was a connoisseur of a Western lifestyle. Regan held an iconic nickname of the “Cowboy President”. Regan’s words can easily be applied to the sport of hound hunting, by way that we all can understand how well our hounds rejuvenate our spirits. Some people might

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

call coonhunting chicken soup for the soul, but I wouldn’t be so cliché. There is, however, something very therapeutic that comes from a night in the woods spent catching raccoons. Especially those nights that are spent amongst close friends or family members. For some, those nights are long gone, but the hounds, or even just the memories remain, to warm us down to the bone. “Tumbleweeds are best left to themselves” – Unknown

It’s no secret that this game we call coonhunting is full of its own cast of characters. Some are admirable and knowledgeable. Others just shoot from the hip and aren’t playing with a full deck of cards. Such is life I suppose, and as long as the buffalo roam,

there will always be a struggle against the good guys and the outlaws. Just like in our regular, everyday lives, these people (the tumbleweeds and outlaws) are to be avoided at all costs. Just because that hound has a big mouth, don’t mean it’ll hunt. “When a cowboy’s too old to set a bad example, he hands out good advice” – Unknown

Like the cowboys of the Wild West, there are many coonhunter’s who have been rode hard and put away wet one too many times. These individuals are what I like to call “out to pasture”. Sure, they still go coon hunting on occasion, but their long nights ‘out on the range’ and $20 lessons are behind them. Many have a lot to offer in the realm of good advice. In fact, some might be so

full of wise words because they deprived themselves of good advice over the years. They’re usually eager to share, especially with the younger folks. Whether you receive good advice or bad advice is up to you to ascertain. Just know that the old timers usually have the best stories to share, regardless. “True cowboys are the ones who aren’t afraid to get dirty” – PBR Bull Rider Lane Frost

Cowboys don’t just ride across the pages of history. The modern cowboy is alive and well and can usually be found busting’ broncs or leaping from the back of some angry bull. Professional Cowboy Lane Frost was a good example. Lane obviously must have had a sponsorship with a reputable elbow grease manufacturer at one point in time. He understood that to get results, you must get

into the thick of it. No lounging around after dark or early bedtimes for us coonhunters. If we want to ‘reap what we sow’ we best do it in the woods after dark. Our hounds won’t improve by sitting in the kennel.

“Men should be tough, fair, and courageous, never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either” – John Wayne

I would argue that there never was a better example of how a man should act than John Wayne. His iconic roles in major movie productions have captured the hearts of men and women alike for decades. Wayne paints a beautiful picture of what a cowboy, or a coonhunter, should stand for, whether by word or in deed. We should take these words to heart when we head to town with our dogs.

Regardless of the changing dynamics of the culture, coonhunting will never be an “extreme sport”. Likewise, I hope that the atmosphere and pleasantries of the old country coon clubs never comes anything close to the word. Much like the game of golf, the pleasures of coonhunting should be measured in personal achievement and positive growth. While playing “Cowboys and Indians” might be all in good fun, lets embrace less of the ‘ruff and tumble’ lifestyle of the cowboys and more of the honorable attributes that came with the profession. Integrity, determination, honesty, fairness, these are the traits that de�ined the ‘Old West’. It can just as easily de�ine this age in the sport of coonhunting if we will let it. Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

THE 1ST ELITE HANDLER SERIES HEAD TO HEAD CAST: PKC WORLD CHAMPION MONEY IN THE BANK (WITH KEVIN CABLE) VS. UKC WORLD CHAMPION SPAVINAW CREEK INSANE EMMY (WITH LANE DENNY )

To The Masses

CaneStream Media and the Elite Handler Series BY JOSH MICHAELIS

once said on a podcast that being cutting edge in the hound industry is the easiest thing in the world because hound hunters are usually �ive years behind the rest of society. Whatever new and innovative thing that we think we come up with, it has probably already been done, usually multiple times, by several different entities. CaneStream Media, and the Elite Handler Series is going to change all of that, sort of. While yes, CaneStream and the EHS are innovative in my own not so humble opinion, we did borrow some ideas, and we are going to steal some talent, and we

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

will probably look at examples of other successful promotions and media companies and try to mirror what they do, and… well maybe the business model is not that innovative after all, but one thing that is a complete revelation is the goal.

CaneStream is going to mainstream hunting with hounds, and the EHS is going to bring other working dogs into the fold to help us. I realize that those are pretty big claims, and that to date, we don’t have much to back it up, so let me start by explaining what CaneStream Media is, how the E.H.S ties in with it, and how it is going to help all houndsmen and women long term. As many folks know, a big part of my living consists of hound

media. I started off with Big Show Productions, continued on with HoundsmanXP, then to Joy Dog Food, and have subsequently landed on covering high dollar coon hunts live, as well as hosting the Fueled by Joy: Working Dog Podcast. Since I began this journey hound media as a whole has come a long way. YouTube Channels, Podcasts, FB Live, the re-birth of print media, all great things, but who consumes those things? Who is tuning in to Stark Outdoors, Double U’s Hound Podcast, and CoonHunting University? It is hound hunters, and it is 99.9% of the time, only hound hunters.

Mainstreaming the sport of hunting with hounds I feel is the most important thing that we can do to preserve our traditions, our culture, and our rights as

a free people to continue to do what we love to do. Houndsmen know the dif�iculty it takes to feed, house, and train a hunting companion. We know that the kill is not the priority, and that hounds are the best wildlife management tool for many big game species.

We know that houndsmen and women just want to be left alone to pursue one of the most storied traditions in the world, and that the folks that love the sport are also some of the most unique and entertaining individuals on the planet, but the world doesn’t know that. A vast majority of the people in this country and abroad have a very skewed view of hound hunters. They see us as hillbillies, and heathens, that descend from the hills only long enough to get whiskey and tobacco so we can return to murder more innocent animals with our vicious, malnourished death dogs, and the sad thing is, that we rarely show them otherwise. There are a myriad of reasons for our complacency when it comes to standing up for our rights, and educating the public on what we actually do. Hopelessness, fear, and the wish to be left alone are some of the common misgivings that prevent hound hunters from expressing themselves, and without a voice to bring to the masses, we have continued to fall behind in the court of public opinion. So how does CaneStream plan on remedying this situation? We plan on doing it in the most American way possible, through entertainment.

When we conceived the idea of CaneStream the visions of grandeur were something to behold. Red carpet premieres, a huge of�ice building staffed

with executives to manage the talent and the loads of cash we were bringing in, our own hound island, you name it, we dreamt it, but as the months ticked away that pesky reality thing took hold and we had to step back and evaluate the best path to bring CaneStream to fruition. That is when the EHS was devised. The Elite Handler Series is not a Kennel Club. We already have that, and they are great. The Elite Handler Series is a promotion. Much like you see in Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, and the like. We sign talented hunters, we rank them, and we put them against each other in a headto-head format. We will have a World Champion (belt and all) and that Champion will have to defend that belt to remain on top.

The E.H.S has devised a proper rule set for these hunts for eastern coonhounds, and is currently working on developing rule sets for Squirrel Dogs, Retrievers, Upland dogs, and Beagles. Each division will have hunts, champions, rankings, and both free of charge and PPV events. Yes, PPV stands for Pay Per View. It is not a new concept in dog sports, but we are hoping to take it to the next level, and with the participation of not only hounds, but all working dogs, we hope to �inally bring all these dog disciplines together in a symbiotic relationship.

We will also do this without taking away from the traditional kennel clubs, whose major events will also be covered by CaneStream Media. Yes. CaneStream is engaging in talks, all of which are positive, with the major kennel clubs to bring the masses their events as well. It is a big undertaking, but we are hoping that in 2024 CaneStream will be off and running.

CaneStream will also have dog related shows that are purely for entertainment. Behind the scenes looks at working dog competitors and their preparation, the inner workings of dog media, and the overall highlighting of the many entertaining characters that are involved in our beloved sports. That is the vision, but as you know, the vision is the easy part. The implementation is where it gets dif�icult.

As of when this piece is being written, CaneStream is still working on the best platform to bring our brand of entertainment to our customers, the EHS has yet to �ilm a single exhibition, and we are still searching for the right sponsorship, and staff members to help us along, but we are getting there. The �irst EHS exhibition is scheduled for December, the �irst tournament to be held in March, and the �irst content to be uploaded on our YouTube channel should be available as you read this (don’t forget to like and subscribe).

So, while we are coming along at what seems like a snail’s pace, we also have to remember that we only have one shot at a good �irst impression, and nearly everything worth doing takes time and a delicate hand, so please bear with us. As we grow CaneStream will do its best to bring you innovative coverage of all hound sports, original programming that will appeal to the audiences we do not currently have, all while displaying houndsmen and women for what they truly are. Great people with interesting lives and backgrounds, who have always been proper stewards of amazing animals, and wild places. Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

@jhaley1136

THE AUTHOR’S GRANDFATHER, RAYMOND HALEY, CA 1955 (AUTHOR’S PHOTO)

Silence of the Hounds Preserving the Legacy of Dogmen and Their Hunt for the Wild Frontier

he ground was wet with patchy snow and steep. We were hustling to stay within earshot of the dogs, without electronics. I kept falling and getting up, careful to keep my ri�le clean. I was �ilthy and soaked with sweat. During the pre-dawn drive, the men coached me on what to expect and I’d been raised around it. Still, my dad, Wayne had to encourage me to “stay up with ‘em!” during the chase.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

BY JASON HALEY

I already had a houndman’s stride but was still a pre-growthspurt 7th-grader with little experience. Part of me was wondering if the chase would ever end. The other part would never quit around this bunch. This was my hunt.

The hounds sounded distant at times. When we arrived, my twoand-a-half-year-old bear was WAY up a large-diameter tree with nothing but ears showing. Our crew tied the dogs back as I got my breath and dad talked me through the shot. Mom’s cutdown, Remington Mohawk .243 did the rest. It was chaotic. What an adventure! Routine for the men who lived and loved it, but epic for me. I couldn’t wait to �lex back at school.

This was western Siskiyou County, California. The hounds belonged to Paul Black. Paul was related to the famous child actress, Shirley Temple Black and married to one of grandpa’s sisters. The crew included dad’s Uncle Waldo Haley, a buddy of Danny Peterson’s named Rocky Bland, and another man I don’t recall.

We skinned the bear on the spot, packed him out and took a Polaroid. Paul’s pack treed a bobcat earlier that morning, but it was too high to get a shot. We pulled-off. We examined several large, older bear tracks and decided not to “put-in” after them. The small, but fresh, track in the snow was my choice, but I was all-in by then. Danny was dabbling in taxidermy and made me a rug with black and red felt trim. Danny’s dad and brothers had an ultra-talented, traveling fast-pitch softball team, “Peterson’s Logging.” I remember watching them hit screaming lasers out of the park in the old days. One brother played pro baseball and may not have been their best player.

I turned 52 in July and don’t see or hear hounds anymore. I could have never imagined where we’re at now.

My grandpa, Raymond Haley was a houndsman most of his life, hunting in Northern California and Southern Oregon, but also Nevada and Utah, before retiring in the 80s to cowboy. There was hound talk whenever we got together, but especially Christmas Eve. The names Boomer, Sut, Troubles, Nuisance, Kate, and Lady still come to mind. Queen, Lead, Smokey, and Rusty were some other names, although some were friends’ dogs.

“I turned 52 in July and don’t see or hear hounds anymore. I could have never imagined where we’re at now”

Uncle Harvey, Great Uncle Art Reed, dad, and gramps would brag about this dog or that one or run-down another for being “trashy” while discussing the young dogs and their respective tendencies. Ray’s “pen” was in the backyard against Burney Creek. I’ll bet the neighbors loved the inevitable bawling, but gramps was �irst on the street before the neighborhood built out. He was also likeable, comical, and generous to a fault, but somewhat �ierce if you crossed him. Nobody dared complain.

I remember the garage, full of homemade hide stretchers, wooden skis and snowshoes and snowmobiles, one of which had

a bobcat seat cover. Grandma’s (Wanda Reed) ride was purple. They were married 72 years. Ray spent winters in Lassen County working the fur sales and bounty system in between logging and truck driving duties. Later, he drove for grandma’s successful Haley Trucking operation in Redding. California voters passed Proposition 117 in 1990, banning lion hunting, with or without dogs, and reclassifying them as protected. Ballot-box laws became too easy as a means for special interests to circumvent the legislature and biologists. What a far cry from the Fabulous 50s when Siskiyou County paid Ray $50 for a “Panther Bounty.”

This period and the years following corresponded with the “golden age” of deer hunting, in California, which I was able to observe the tail end of in the 80s and early 90s, before the full effects kicked in. Many of these hunts were with gramps. As a young County planner and environmental consultant, I debated bosses and mentors about the steep decline in deer numbers and tags, blaming everything on habitat loss, mainly winter range development. They, like many of my friends who made their living in the woods, blamed predators. They were right. I was wrong. Now we add introduced wolves to the equation. I personally observed a bachelor group of 23 mature velvet bucks on their summer range and routinely stalked groups of 10 or 12 with my bow as a teenager. As a kid, dad would sit on Main Street bridge Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

(Highway 299) and watch parades of pickups travel town with their head-and-horns proudly displayed in the backs. During his hunting prime, he and his hunting buds would �ill Dave Greer’s McColl’s Dairy refrigerator trailer with amazing bucks. Fast-forward to 10 years ago: we made a scouting trip to Hat Creek rim, below Lassen National Park. After 30 miles of great habitat, we saw one fawnless doe and one cougar. The cat hopped up on a large rock and looked at us as we drove by. Last weekend, I took Dad for another spin in Northeast California. We observed three fawn-less does in about 40 miles and literally zero deer tracks. I guided him on archery elk and ri�le antelope hunts last fall in places he used to operate an archery guide service in the 80s. We were amazed at the lack of deer. Even tracks are hard to �ind.

There’s an African proverb that says when an old man dies a library burns to the ground. Neuropathy has taken dad’s legs at 77 and those were undoubtedly his last hunts. But I need to keep dragging him out in the woods to jog his memory. I pointed out a giant yellow pine with a scorched bottom, revealing a cave at the base.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

He recalled a day “before or after work,” when he turned his dogs out on a fresh bear track and they “treed it in minutes.” The bear backed itself against a similar tree. He “rarely shot bears but decided to take this one.” I wondered how he got a clear shot. He said his dogs were “smart and stayed back. Easy shot.”

“There’s an African proverb that says when an old man dies a library burns to the ground”

Grandpa only shared a couple hound stories with me. He would have shared more, but I never asked. When I knew him, he was a fat, jolly old man who liked to camp and play with his cows and horses, but he’d put a death grip on your hand if you shook it. At deer camp, he’d hunt some, but enjoyed hanging around drinking coffee and socializing just as much. He loved bringing his horses in case anyone needed help packing. But if you got him talking about hounds, he’d get animated. That was his thing.

One year I took a bear with my ri�le. We skinned it on the meat pole in deer camp and grandpa never left the spot. He got super happy and chatty. I popped into his Churn Creek ranchette before his death in 2017. He wasn’t doing great in those days due to a fall from his roof while trying to �ix the air conditioner. He may have lived forever if not for that. He was normally quiet then, but I asked him about a photo on the wall. Talk about a transformation.

He sat bolt upright and slid to the edge of his bed and held court, as he often did as a younger man. He took the 145-pound tom with a .22 revolver and a single hound named Lead. His �lashlight batteries went out and his snowmobile broke down. Luckily, there was a full moon when he got to the juniper tree. He packed the lion over 20 miles to McArthur. The newspaper took a photo in the morning. The sportswriter’s account included tidbits about Lead, the �ifth hound gramps tried on this big tom in three separate runs that winter, and the pile of dead deer the cat left behind on trails. He’d been after that cat for at least two years.

RAY’S BLUETICK, LEAD WAS ALREADY FAMOUS WHEN THE NEWSPAPER FEATURED HIM FOR CATCHING A DEERKILLING 145POUND COUGAR THAT OTHERS COULDN’T (AUTHOR’S PHOTO 1952)

THE AUTHOR’S FATHER, WAYNE HALEY WITH BOBCATS TREED BY HOUNDS KATE AND LADY, 1970'S (AUTHOR’S PHOTO)

WAYNE HALEY WITH BOOMER, JOE, AND COLEY (AUTHOR’S PHOTO)

RAYMOND HALEY, CA 1955

Another time, dad and I got him talking after I read a story in Outdoor Life about a Redtick female. Ray was hunting with our late friend, Wayne Harris of Burney, and maybe Kenny Wells. It was usually those guys. I had the privilege of deer hunting/ camping with Wayne several times. Wayne’s best dog was Crook. Kenny Wells had Roe. Grandpa’s best tree dog was Boomer, a dark Blue Tick that caught every bobcat he started. Boomer would hunt with two other guys and six dogs and always be �irst to locate and start treeing. Boomer was in on dad’s Nevada cougar in 1975. Gramps also had Sut, and a great female named Lady that dad inherited.

Grandpa said they “treed a big bear, but it tore its claws off on the way down a big yellow pine and wouldn’t tree again. It just backed up to the tree and sat down. Sut ran up on it and got too close, so he (the bear) charged and jerked him up and wrapped both legs around the dog, like a hot dog, and started chewing on him.” It was summer and they “didn’t want to kill it, just run the younger dogs, but Wayne had to kill it with a .22 magnum pistol at 10 feet.” Wayne stayed with the bear and dogs and gramps “snatched-up Sut and took him back to the truck and sewed him up.” The dog lived, but never was the same.

Ray hunted with other characters, including Page Montgomery of Burney and later Alturas. He said they bayed a big bear and it “made a run at ‘em.” Page ran for a small pine and climbed it, but it bent-over and he was hanging 4-feet off the ground. It was hilarious hearing grandpa tell it. He took Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Carl Switzer, the child actor of Little Rascals fame who also appeared in the 1946 Christmas �ilm It’s a Wonderful Life. Much is written about that man’s involvement with hounds and his unfortunate death. Dad added that he “skipped school in the 5th grade to kill a bear with Harris and Wells. They told me not to tell anybody, but of course I did. Harris still ribs me about it,” dad said. We laughed. I did the same thing in 7th grade.

Now hunting, farming and anything traditional is under siege, but particularly hounds. Even mainstream hunting/ conservation organizations won’t go to bat for the hound guys like they should. Just like that, new cultures and lifestyles are acceptable and traditional ones are not. Good is bad and bad is good. Creation is worshiped instead of the Creator.

WAYNE HALEY 1950'S

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

The former rodeo grounds (turned softball park) I grew up with went slow-pitch, then coed, then unkept dry grass. They want to make the place where the Petersons launched majestic homers into a city-style “dog park” now, where a pup can’t do what it’s bred for, but it can navigate an obstacle course.

In 2013, California joined other states in banning bear hunting with dogs. Many of our friends moved to Idaho or Montana, including Danny who had trouble running hounds because of wolves.

Suddenly, there are oodles of bears. Every elk wallow was crawling with them last fall. They visit every 15 minutes. Nearly every dusty road is covered in tracks. Burney has bears walking town. That was never the case. Trail cams capture packs of lions on them like the Serengeti. Traditional wisdom says cats are solitary hunters. Of course, we didn’t have trail cams then.

Taxpayers remove problem cougars instead of letting hunters pay for tags. There was a “celebration of life” for an old cougar that lived in LA’s Grif�ith Park where my mom rode horses as a girl. Turnout was large and the comments on social media were beyond description. It’s not just the hounds that are silenced now. It’s the people, too. Science and the North American Model of Conservation, the best the world has ever known, is ignored. Luckily, legends never really die. They only get bigger through oral tradition and the pages of outdoor magazines like this one. My dad and gramps weren’t the �irst or the last of the dogmen. Others followed and are promoting and protecting our outdoor heritage from coast to coast. The goal isn’t just to prevent future losses, it’s to get back what’s been taken and break the silence. I can almost hear it now.

Champions Unleashed

2023 AKC World Hunt Championship & World Show BY LAUREN LEE

KC Coonhounds is pleased to have another outstanding World Championship in the history books. The 18th annual AKC World Hunt Championship took place on October 18th through the 21st in Bainbridge, Ohio. There was a great turnout of talented handlers and impressive hounds which made for some tough competition. We’d like to extend a big congratulations to the 2023 World Hunt Champion Tim Waters and WNC Handsome Ruby D!! Ruby is a female Walker owned by Bryan Whitted and Michael Thomas.

Tim has successfully competed at the AKC World Hunt in previous years, but this is his �irst time taking the top spot as the overall Hunt Champion. Hunting with Bad to The Bones Black Hawk, a male Black and Tan, he placed 3rd in the �inal cast in 2013 and was

the reserve Hunt Champion with Hawk in 2015. He also came close again with Handsome Ruby D in 2021. This just goes to show that persistence pays off and the third time is always a charm!

Congratulations as well to this year’s Reserve Hunt Champion, Scott Bates, with Bates Hard Time Dixie Chic, an English female. Dixie is owned by Scott Bates and Ed Bates. Placing third of the �inal four cast was Eric Piatt and Little Lacy, a female Walker. Lacy is owned by Jack Maggard II.

In fourth place was Micah Marcum and Rent Money, a female Walker. Rent Money is owned by Micah Marcum and Jamie Hundley.

In addition to the World Hunt, the AKC World Championship also includes our World Show. We were excited to have a strong turnout of handsome hounds of all breeds, judged by Mrs. Abby McCorkle.

A big congratulations to the 2023 World Overall Show Champion and Best World Champion Redbone, CH CCH CWSG Skyline’s Push My Luck, owned and handled by Beth Jenkins.

Congratulations as well to the 2023 Reserve World Champion and Best World Champion Treeing Walker All American Western Justice, handled by Jordyn Brooks and owned by Megan & Danny Perez.

Thank you to our sponsors, GT’s Feed & Hunting Supply, Outlaw Light Company, Dan’s Hunting Gear, Cajun Lights, Kelley’s K-Light Supply, Valu Pak and Hound Dog Country. Last but not least, we would like to give our sincere appreciation to the great folks at the Paint Creek Coonhunters club for hosting this event. It would not have been possible without all their hard work! Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

2023 HUNT CHAMPION TIM WATERS WITH HANDSOME RUBY D

THIRD PLACE HUNT CHAMPION ERIC PIATT AND LITTLE LACY

2023 WORLD OVERALL SHOW CHAMPION CH CCH CWSG SKYLINE’S PUSH MY LUCK O/H BETH JENKINS

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

RESERVE HUNT CHAMPION SCOTT BATES WITH BATES HARD TIME DIXIE CHIC

FOURTH PLACE HUNT CHAMPION MICAH MARCUM & RENT MONEY

2023 RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION ALL AMERICAN WESTERN JUSTICE HANDLED BY JORDYN BROOKS

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

SEMIFINAL CAST 3 MAD MAX, O/H  JUSTIN SHARON PITMAN CREEK JOY, H  RYAN JONES/OVAUGHN AND PETTY WNC HANDSOME RUBY D, H  TIM WATERS/OWHITTED & THOMAS (CW)

SEMI FINAL CAST 1 BATES HARD TIME DIXIE CHIC, HSCOTT BATES/OSCOTT BATES & ED BATES (CW) GREASY CREEK ROCKY, H  SHAWN FORE/ODOUG MILLER HIMES SPLIT TREEING TRIGGER, O/H  JASON HIMES

SEMIFINAL CAST 4 BLACK ROAD BETSY, O/H  CHARLES WALLACE NASHABA VALLEY LUCY, H KENNETH HUNT/O MARK RANUCCI HEATHER ISLAND B GOOD COWBOY, H  DUALL MURPHY/OIKE RAINEY LITTLE LACY, HERIC PIATT/O JACK MAGGARD II (CW)

SEMIFINAL CAST 2 HESTER’S CORONA, O/H LOGAN HESTER CRACKER, H LEONARD YOUNG/O  YOUNG & FORE BIG BLOCK CHEVY, H  LOGAN DILLON/O  JAYDEN HANNAH RENT MONEY, O  MICAH MARCUM/HJAMIE HUNDLEY (CW)

@stark_outdoors

Triumph in the Trees 2023 UKC World Hunt Final Cast

ello Everybody! I hope life has been treating you well. The weather has been great here lately and so has the coon movement. I am currently hunting a couple of really nice pups that are peaking at the right time of year. I hope to share their story with you in future articles, but today I would like to share a little bit on my experience at the 2023 UKC World Hunt.

BY CLAYTON STARK

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

In September I was lucky enough to be asked to cover the �inal cast of the World Hunt held in Mt. Gilead Ohio. I always enjoy going along on casts for these major events because I get to witness history �irsthand. Videotaping, I also get to preserve lifelong memories for the handlers that they can show their kids and grandkids many years from now.

Up until recently the most you would have to share with your family about winning a major hunt would be stories or a picture with a trophy. Now with technology and people like me putting time into the thing we all love anyone can see history being made at the click of a button. It really means a lot to me when the people in these hunts tell me that they are happy it was �ilmed because they get to show their spouse and kids. This event was one of those times. It was a great evening with perfect weather.

THE THREE DOGS IN THE FINAL CAST WERE:

GRNITECHHOF Bad Habits Preacher Man handled by Caleb Grif�in

GRNITECH(3) ‘PR’ Snooki's Cookie handled by Cody Carter NITECH ‘PR’ The Bush Bandit handled by Jeremiah Nissley

At dark we all loaded up and headed to the woods. It was a very competitive cast. At �irst it took quite a bit to strike a track and get a dog treed. Apparently in that area they had a youth deer hunt going on that could have contributed to later coon movement. It wasn’t too much later until all dogs were split treed.

All the handlers were very professional and courteous towards one another �inding each other’s coon.

Snooki's Cookie ended up treeing a coon with just a few minutes left to secure her victory and World title. Bandit ended up �inishing 2nd, and Preacher Man ended up �inishing third. All three handlers did a great job getting to that point and obviously have some consistent, accurate coon dogs.

If you are interested in watching this hunt, be sure to go to my YouTube channel and check It out. Just go to YouTube and search Clayton Stark 2023 UKC World Hunt and you will get to see it all in 4k. It was a great cast, with great people and great dogs. I look forward to covering more events like this and writing more articles for you. I hope you have a great day and get to enjoy some quality family time this holiday season. 2023 UKC WORLD HUNT CHAMPION GRNITECH(3) ‘PR’ SNOOKI’S COOKIE

CODY CARTER'S SON, REID, CELEBRATES HIS WIN AFTER WATCHING THE LIVE BROADCAST OF THE HUNT

NITECH ‘PR’ THE BUSH BANDIT THE FINAL CAST

GRNITECHHOF BAD HABITS PREACHER MAN

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

1949 ACHA WORLD CHAMPION WHITE RIVER BOONE 1949 ACHA WORLD HUNT (2ND PLACE) WHITE RIVER ROWDY BOTH OWNED BY LESTER NANCE

Legends of the Past Exploring the Legacy of ACHA in Coon Hunting History

t is so great to see that Full Cry has been bought by the Duby’s. There has been so much history made and saved with the Full Cry Magazine and now it will continue. One of the things that had such an impact on our sport of coon hunting was the ACHA World Championship.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

BY DON NICELY

In its prime it had a very powerful impact on our sport. The �irst World Championship Coon Hunt and for many years the most important. It hasn’t been in existence for a few years but its importance deserves to be shared with anyone interested in our sport of coon hunting. The American Coon Hunters Association was formed in a time when communication was so much harder than it is today. In a time when a National Organization formation would at the best be very dif�icult.

It would be very different today trying to start a new organization to try and compare people's hounds in ability and looks. There are many registries that register hounds and license hunts and shows. Back in the 40's that wasn't the case. Field Trials and Water Races were the big things people used to compete. There was some showing going on at some of the larger Trials such as Leafy Oak but for the most part if you wanted to compete or compare it was Field Trials and Water Races. In the mid 1940's a group of dedicated hunters who loved the sport of coon hunting but wanted to �ind a way to compare the hounds and their ability in the woods met in Tupelo, Mississippi and formed the American Coon Hunters Association. Many know of the impact that Association had on our sport with its World Championship but even that had to start somewhere. Imagine if you knew nothing about the hunt system of today but you wanted to create a system. You had nothing to go by and what you created would have to come from ideas that hadn't been tried yet. How hard would that have been?

No communication as we have today. No pagers, computers, emails, cell phone or anything to help make communicating as easy as it is today. Back in that time there were phones but not everyone had a phone and some people lived in areas where there was no phone service. Remember a few years ago when you would get into an area where you couldn't get cell service? That has become less of a problem but still today there are areas where maybe another cell tower would help.

So how did people communicate? They wrote letters. Maybe the ones that had phones would talk some and they might meet at some of the �ield trials. For sure communicating back then wasn't anything like it is today. The roads weren't as good as today or as plentiful. The vehicles weren't as fast as today's models and guess what, if it was hot you rolled your window down.

If we love this sport we owe a big thank you to the people who worked long and hard to come up with a game we could play with our hounds. What they did wasn't an easy job but their hard work gave us something we have shared with a lot of good and not so good friends made. The ACHA had a big part of this and it is just another part of its rich history.

One of the original members of the group who met to form ACHA was Brooks Magill who lived in Blue Springs, Mississippi. He was also one of the �irst presidents of the American Coon Hunters Association.

He wrote a Redbone column for many years. He was one of the guys in our sport who had

the respect of most anyone who knew him or of him. You Redbone people if you go back far enough in your hounds pedigree there is a good chance you will see one of Magill's dogs name. Magill's Jungle Jim. He was one of the famous dogs of his day and whether you liked Redbones or not you knew the name Jungle Jim.

I believe because of the respect he had and the way he treated people that he was one of the main reasons along with a few others that ACHA became successful so quickly. He was the right person at the right time.

I think some writings from the past might be good to show in their own words what the intention and purpose of the American Coon Hunters Association was. From Gene Kemp secretary of ACHA January, 1954. "The �irst thing I would like to be made clear is the ACHA was not organized against any group, individual or club. We believe in the other organizations and groups and clubs, and certainly appreciate the great work and accomplishments which they have made and are making, and we stand ready at all times to help and cooperate with any and all in the advancement of our sport and our hounds. Our members are proud to attend the events of other associations, individuals and groups, and stand ready to help make their activities a success. We think this is as should be, and we always extend a cordial invitation to the membership of other groups to meet with us, attend our events and join us in membership." From the mouth of one of the founders of ACHA. Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

ACHA held the First World Championship in 1948 in Wyckliff, Kentucky. Other organizations were trying to come up with hunt rules etc. Trying to �igure out what would become the thing known as competition coon hunts.

To better understand Brooks Magill I think some of his thoughts he wrote down would be interesting to read. From November, 1954.

"I will not say A.C.H.A. was the �irst to ever put on a wild coon hunt at Wyckliff, Kentucky in 1948, but will say this, I have never heard of one before that date. We hardly knew how to go about getting it over. Our rules were not too good, but we have kept working on them until they are pretty good. There were not very many of us at the beginning but we have grown into a large family now. You will �ind some of the greatest sportsmen at one of our hunts living. Would like to call their names, but would take too much space, but you can ask the ones that have attended. Yes some have attended every one from the �irst, and I bet they will every one tell you that they got a great joy, lots of help and have learned lots by attending. I wouldn't take a million dollars for the men, dogs and things I have learned."

BROOKS MAGILL AND JUNGLE JIM

SOME OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF ACHA: ROBERT GRAVES, GENE KEMP, BROOKS MAGILL, R.W. NICHOLS, AND BUS THOMPSON

BROOKS MAGILL AND NELSON SHIELDS AT THE 1955 ACHA WORLD HUNT IN BLOOMFIELD, IOWA

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

As you can tell from the writings it just wasn't about competition but always about the family it was becoming.

More from Brooks Magill: "To me, this meeting (ACHA World Hunt) is like a homecoming. I told some of the boys that A.C.H.A. is my family and I tell you it is really getting to be a big one, but here is one glad thing. I can say I have some of the nicest children you will �ind anywhere. Just ask anyone who was there. People from all over the U.S.A. from Monday until Sunday morning, and nothing but pleasure. No drinking, no bad language, lots of ladies, and we sure widh you all would come and help absorb the pleasure that is there."

"Will see some of you at Jackson, Tennessee, and hope to be there. Haven't felt too well lately, but the Lord willing, will try to be on hand part of the time anyway. It will be great just to take some of you by the hand again. Wouldn't miss it for anything, if at all possible, as it is one of the greatest days in my life. If I was a great writer I would tell you just what A.C.H.A. mean to me, but can not. It's a dream come true is all I can say, and one of my happiest. I hope everyone there enjoys it half as much as I do." Maybe we should try to put back into our sport the attitude that was present at the beginning and many years after.

GRNITECH(2) GRCH ‘PR’ CASEYS MISSOURI BLUE PETE HTX

GRNTCH GRCH ‘PR’ HAMMERDOWN BLUE MISTER T

2020 Wins: BBCHA FALL CLASSIC, 1st Place & HIGH SCORING BLUETICK Missouri Coonhunters Federation Invatational Winner Split $1500

OUT OF HURRICANE FROZEN SEMEN

2021 Wins: TOC QUALIFIED RQE 2nd Place Black and Tan Sectional Cast Winner BBOA ZONE 1 Hunt Dog of the Year BBOA BLUETICK DAYS Grnitech Cast Winner Zone 1 World Championship Cast Winner BBCHA SECTIONAL High Scoring Bluetick & King of Hunt BBOA MAD DOG MEMORIAL HUNT Cast Winner & High Scoring Dog BBCHA FALL CLASSIC CAST WINNER BBOA RICHARD CASEY HUNT 2nd Place & King of Hunt 2022 Wins: RQE 2nd Place BBOA RICHARD CASEY HUNT 1st Place & King of Hunt BBOA MAD DOG MEMORIAL HUNT 4th Place Cast Win Missouri Coonhunters Federation Invatational Overall Champion ...GRCH GRNITECH ‘PR’ BLUE CREK GAUGE ..NITECH ‘PR’ WELLERS BLUE STONE ...GRNITECH ‘PR’ CROSBYS BLUE SNOOTER GRNITECH GRCH ‘PR’ CASEYS MISSOURI BLUE BUD HTX ...GRNITECH ‘PR’ CROSBYS SMOKING JOE ..CH ‘PR’ WHITE OAK MOUNTIANS STYLISH BELL ...’PR’ CROSBYS ROCKIN ROXIE GRNITECH(2) GRCH ‘PR’ CASEYS MISSOURI B LUE PETE HTX ...GRNITECH ‘PR’ SMOKEY RIVER MAD DOG JOHN II ..GRCH GRNITECH ‘PR’ MAD DOG MO BLUE SMOKE ...’PR’ MAD DOG NOODLES GRNITECH GRCH ‘PR’ MONITEAU CREEK BLUE CHARLIE HTX ...GRNITECH ‘PR’ MANNS WILD-N-Blue Pounder ..GRCH GRNITECH ‘PR’ BIG TIME SPANKIN BLUE WENDY ...NITECH ‘PR’ INDIANA BLUE SPANKY JANE

Richard Casey (816) 739-2486 Charles Wyatt (573) 864-0597 Tim Manning • Foster Caryl

NTCH ‘PR’ Casey’s Missouri Hammer GRCH GRNTCH ‘PR’ Casey’s MO. BL. Hammer II ‘PR’ Foster’s Blue Pepper CH GRNTCH ‘PR’ Goodtime Jackhammer NTCH GRCH ‘PR’ Casey’s MO. BL. Shiloh ‘PR’ Caseys MO. BL. Fly II ‘PR’ Crosgrove’s Blue Fly GRNTCH ‘PR’ Casey’s Missouri Blue Hurricane GRCH GRNTCH ‘PR’ Casey’s MO. BL. Hammer II GRNTCH CH ‘PR’ Casey’s MO. BL. Hammer III ‘PR’ Casey’s MO. Blue Waszy ‘PR’ Casey’s Missouri Blue Annie IV GRCH GRNTCH ‘PR’ Casey’s MO. BL. Hammer II ‘PR’ Casey’s MO. BL. Annie III CH ‘PR’ Casey’s MO. Blue Annie II GRNTCH GRCH ‘PR’ HAMMERDOWN BLUE MISTER T GRNTCH GRCH ‘PR’ Smokey River John GRNTCH ‘PR’ Smokey River Mad Dog John II GRNTCH ‘PR’ Mad Dog Two Gun Billy GRCH GRNTCH ‘PR’ Mad-Dog MO Blue Smoke ‘PR’ Mad-Dogs Blue Rooster II ‘PR’ Mad Dog Noodles ‘PR’ Johnson’s Blue Charge GRCH GRNTCH ‘PR’ Moniteau Creek Blue Charlie HTX GRNTCH ‘PR’ Manns’ Wild-N-Blue Spanky GRNTCH ‘PR’ Manns’ Wild-N-Blue Pounder ‘PR’ Lingo’s Blue Jill GRCH GRNTCH ‘PR’ Big Time Spankin Blue Wendy GRNTCH ‘PR’ Manns’ Wild-N-Blue Spanky NTCH ‘PR’ Indiana Blue Spanky Jane GRNTCH ‘PR’ Skyes The Limit

FOR SALE - PUPPIES AVAILABLE NOW (OUT OF PETE & MISTER T) FOR SALE - YOUNG HOUNDS AVAILABLE NOW BRED FOR COON, CAT & BEAR BEAR & CAT DOGS FOR SALE FROM TIME TO TIME Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

NT. CH. WALKER'S POCAHONTAS JILL NPHA BIG GAME FEMALE OF THE YEAR 2009

@AuthorBobPlott

Strike & Stay Interview with Eugene Walker of Pocahontas Plott Kennels

ello friends! Hope you and yours are well and that your seasons are off to a great start! This month we will deviate a bit from our usual Strike and Stay format. The entire article this month will be an interview and story on Plott breed icon Eugene Walker. Keep those calls, letters and messages coming as we will be back to our regular format next issue, but stay tuned for more pro�iles and interviews with breed legends in the future

I have had the pleasure of knowing many renowned Plott breeders and hunters, all with compelling arguments that their respective strain of Plott hounds are or were the best all around dogs in the game today – or in the past. I will leave it to experts with far greater knowledge than me, to resolve that debate.

BY BOB PLOTT

The story of the Walker family is in some ways similar to the Plott family in that both clans have roots deep in the Appalachian

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

However, when you consider the well-documented achievements of Eugene Walker and his Pocahontas Plott line, no one can deny that these dogs are at or near the top of any short list consisting of alltime great Plott hound lines. And the Walker family – particularly Eugene and Ann Walker and their son Sam, along with Gene’s brothers, Curtis, Norman and Vernon Walker – rank among the most distinguished and wellrespected families in breed history.

Mountains and they both were and are renowned for their superb breeding and hunting skills. Both families have also gained fame for the all-around talents and versatility of their dogs. Of course, the Plott family was originators of the breed and has been involved with Plott hounds for 273 years, while the Walker family is relatively “new” to the game as they didn’t enter the Plott hound arena until the late 1960s. But the Walkers were quick to make up for lost time. In a little more than half a century, Eugene Walker has re�ined his Pocahontas Plott line to become some of the best Plott hounds in the world today. Moreover, his Plott line has the all-around record to back up this claim. Walker’s dogs have won countless coon and big game events, as well as bench and �ield competitions. They are widely recognized as one of the most coveted blood lines in the modern Plott hound world and have been for many years.

No one has more Hall of Fame Plott hounds than Eugene Walker. At last count at least NINE of his storied line are included in the NPHA HOF, including most recently Missy, in 2023. We caught up with Walker recently to interview the old warrior. Here are some highlights from that interview— Gene’s comments are in italics: What do you attribute the versatility of your line? “People often ask me if my dogs are coon bred or big game bred Plotts? My response is simple – they are PLOTT bred. By that I mean they are good on small or big game – bear, coons or hogs, most anything – a real Plott bred dog can do it all, they can hunt either big or small game equally well. They are truly multi-purpose hunting dogs. And I consider my dogs to be PLOTT bred.”

“Yes, my daddy and mama— her name was Madeline carved out a large farm here together and raised eleven children together – seven boys and four girls. They worked hard but lived well as they grew various crops, made maple sugar and syrup and raised beef cattle and sheep. The farm remains in the Walker family today. Four of the Walker brothers – Eugene, Curtis, Vernon and Norman – would later make significant contributions to perpetuating the legacy of the Plott breed as outstanding Plott breeders and hunters in their own right.”

“I started hunting when I was eight years old and was barely big enough to carry a gun, we hunted for food not sport—and I loved it” - Eugene Walker

Your family has been in the mountains of West Virginia a long time. Can you tell us about that? “My daddy, Ed Walker, moved to Pocahontas County West Virginia in the early 1900s to make his fortune as a logger, teamster and farmer. He was a man as tough as these mountains. It was hard living on your own hook. Even today, we remain the least populated, but second biggest county in West Virginia, Pocahontas County is famous for their rugged mountains, good hunting and harsh winters.” BOB: “You come from a big family, most of them fine hunters and dog breeders too, correct?

When did you first start hunting and when did you see your first Plott hound? “I started hunting when I was eight years old and was barely big enough to carry a gun, we hunted for food not sport—and I loved it. I saw my first Plott hound in 1955 when I was ten. I’ll never forget it. My uncle Riffe, from Ohio, had a Plott dog that was a Timberline bred Plott from Wayne Jeffries. My Uncle used him to hunt squirrels. He was one of the best squirrel dogs that I ever saw. I knew then that I liked them and I made my mind up to one day get me some Plotts”

But it took you awhile before you achieved that goal, right? But in the meantime, you were hunting hard with local veteran bear hunters—correct? “Oh yeah, I learned from the best. Men like Argile Arbogast who died a few years ago at the age of 96 and hunted bears until shortly before his death. Arbogast favored the Black and Tan breed and I gained valuable experience handling his hounds. June Galford was another great one and killed his last bear at the age of 99. He lived to be over a 100, and had great success with Blue Ticks and Red Bones.” “But none were better than K.K. Wymer. Wymer was onehalf Cherokee Indian and he was the best tracker that I ever saw. Wymer could track a bear on dry ground, across rocks, better than most men could in a deep snow. He was really talented and he taught me a lot.” “This was an era long before tracking collars, radios and four wheelers. It was a time when a hunter was measured by how close he could follow his dogs – and it was imperative that they did in order to not lose dogs. Not many hunters today would be willing to do that.” So, when did you get your own Plott dogs? “Well, I ran into West Virginia Plott legends like Isaiah Kidd and Homan Fielder in the bear woods. I admired both men and I especially liked their Plott

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

dogs. But it was not until the late 1960s until I got my own Plotts. My youngest brother, Curtis Walker,was the first Walker family member to obtain a Plott hound.” “I think Curtis got his first Plott dog about six months before me in either 1968 or 1969. I believe Curtis got the foundation stock for his renowned West Virgina Plott line – a gyp named Rusty – from Charlie Osbourne.” (Today Curtis Walker owns at least twenty Plott hounds and his West Virginia Plott Kennel is highly regarded across the nation. Hopefully we can feature Curtis Walker in a future article.) Where did you get your Plotts? “I got my first three Plott hounds shortly after that—I guess about 1969. These three dogs would be the foundation stock for the Pocahontas Plott hound line. The pups – Belle, a female, and Rattler and Lead, both males – originated from two renowned Plott breeders, Dale Brandenberger and Kermit Allison. On the Pioneer Kennel Brandenberger side they descend from Pioneer Jake and Drum. On the Bear Creek Allison side, they come from Tony and Tip.”

and often too slow for the steep and thickly wooded West Virginia mountains.” “I began to study breeding closely and like the old timers before me. I was determined to breed the best to the best, and I would accept nothing less. I wanted to get ALL of the qualities I needed desired in a Plott hound—not just some of them.” What was the turning point for your breeding program? “I would have to say that it came in the late 1970s when I bred Belle to Gib Thompson’s Mack dog. Out of that cross came three of my finest Plott hounds – Hacksaw, Charlie Brown and Lucy. Hacksaw would later be the first of NINE NPHA Hall of Fame Plott Hounds. I’m not bragging, but no one has more HOF dogs than me.” These dogs were good on coons too? “Yes. In 1978 Charlie Brown became a national champion coon dog. Charlie Brown’s 1978 record setting threenight score of 1,700 plus points at Plott Days has never been broken. Since then, I’ve had the highest scoring Plott hound of the year with at least five different dogs.”

But as good as these dogs were, you still were not satisfied with them, is that a fair statement?

By 1980 you were selling dogs all over the country, but you still were not 100% satisfied, can you elaborate on that?

“Yes, they were good dogs. I loved their grit and tenacity and I especially appreciated their exceptionally keen cold nose. But they were too big

“I was heading in the right direction. But something still wasn’t quite right. I wanted a smaller, faster Plott, that still had the other desirable qualities of my early stock. I

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

brought a dog named Gator into the program. I purchased Gator from Virginian Jack Farley in about 1981. Gator, had strong Hack Smithdeal and Gola Ferguson bloodlines. Gator became a Hall of Fame winner in 1985.” So that got you close to where you wanted to be? “Yes. Gator was probably the key and I stayed with that formula and always stayed true to my line. I bred back and forth, using strict line breeding. I culled as needed and continually worked to improve and refine our already great bloodlines. The end result was the true Pocahontas Plott.” But the truth is, you still were not 100% satisfied? “No, I wasn’t through yet, not by a long shot. I became actively involved in the NPHA and later the APA. I met breed icons like Mack Stewart, Lawrence Porterfield, Taylor Crockett, Von Plott and many others and learned from them. I really liked the grit of Lawrence Porterfield’s Crockett Plott dogs. I became close friends with Porterfield and I later introduced some Taylor Crockett and Isaiah Kidd bloodlines to the Pocahontas line. I was exceptionally pleased with these results. My Thunder dog came from Porterfield lineage, and Buffy – a dog nominated several times for the Hall of Fame is out of Thunder. More Hall of Fame dogs – like Gator II, Joy, Sting II – were soon to follow.”

GR. CH. NT. CH. STING II HALL OF FAME RECIPIENT

GR. NT. CH. GR. CH. WALKER'S POCAHONTAS GUS  N.P.H.A HIGH SCORING DOG OF THE YEAR 2003

GR. NT. CH. GR. CH. JOY HALL OF FAME RECIPIENT

CH. GR. NT. CH. WALKER'S POCAHONTAS JEWELL  2001 NPHA HIGH SCORING DOG OF THE YEAR

GR. NT. CH. PEGGY

GR. NT. CH. GR. CH. GATOR HALL OF FAME RECIPIENT

GR. CH. GR. NT. CH. GATOR II HALL OF FAME RECIPIENT

GR. CH. NT. CH. CHARLIE BROWN NATIONAL PLOTT DAYS WINNER

SAM, EUGENE, AND JOSH WITH A BEAR TAKEN IN THE WV 2014 SEASON Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

You and your dogs have won about every prestigious award in the Plott breed and big game hunting world. And you are rightfully proud of that. They say a good woman is behind or beside every successful man, and that is true in your case too? “Oh hell yes! I could not have done anything without the love and support of my beloved wife, Ann. She is the perfect wife, mother and smart as whip! She was a registered nurse, and she knows these dogs and their pedigrees better than me! We have been married almost sixty years—the best years of my life! And our son, Sam has been a big help too.” Now at age 82, you remain a force in the Plott dog world. You have kept your dogs affordable to the common man. Despite a lengthy waiting list for your pups, you nevertheless have not succumbed to the greed of many breeders. I admire how you have stayed true to your dogs and customers. You guarantee your pups and have only had a handful returned in more than half a century of business. But before we close, let’s get back to your breeding secrets, can you talk a bit about that? “I won’t tell you everything, but I believe the secret is in having outstanding females. I have always preferred female dogs. I have found females easier to handle and most have a better disposition. 15 of the 22 dogs I own today are females. I believe that it takes several generations to refine a strain and get it dialed in to what you want.” “What you end up with, depends on what you start with. Breed the best to the best, line breed, 40

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

stay true to that and you should be okay. Watch the personality of your dogs closely. There is a thin line between grit and being overly or dangerously aggressive. A dog that is too aggressive is more likely to get killed by bear, or in a fight with another dog. I won’t put up with that.” “If you look at my dogs today you will find a fast, cold nosed, intelligent, easy handling Plott with a great disposition and outstanding stamina. They have a great mouth—I think the best in the breed. My dogs aren’t real big; I bred the big size out of them for this rough terrain. I only have had a couple of dogs that weighed close to 70 pounds. Most of mine are in the fifty to fifty-five pound range.”

“Watch the personality of your dogs closely. There is a thin line between grit and being overly or dangerously aggressive”

“As for color, I prefer a brindle Plott. The biggest problem was taking the buckskin out of the UKC standard back in 59. Thank God they put it back in. We ended up with too many solid black Plotts as a result of taking it out.. And as for the buckskin, I believe that it is a legitimate color and that it should be an acceptable part of ANY breed standard – but only if the breeder is honest and is willing to provide a proper DNA test. I have had some good buckskin Plotts.”

Well said, I could not agree more. What are some problems you see with the breed today? And the hunting dog world in general? “I think show dog people are hurting the breed. Breeding just for looks and show is no good—it will ruin the breed. They are the cause of the solid black dog. I also think these two-hour coon hunts, hunting off buckets, is taking a lot of the hunt out of our dogs. There is no challenge to that and to me, these things take away from the reputation of the old-time Plott. Hunters can be our own worst enemies too, with all the back biting and jealousy and that plays right into the hands of the anti-hunters.” What about your all-time favorite dogs? Can you name them? “That would be impossible. But my 12 Hall of Fame Dogs would all make the list, as would my best strike dog – Jill – who was also a night champion coon dog. And I can’t forget the great Poncho and Cody II. It’s really hard to narrow it down to just a few.” As he reflects on his illustrious career as one of the foremost breeders of the modern day Plott hound, Gene is proud of his accomplishments, yet humble. He takes pride in the fact that three of his brothers have remained an integral part of the perpetuation of the Plott breed. And Gene is quick to credit the early pioneers of Plott breed history as well as the many old-timers who took the time to mentor him as a youngster. Without them there would be no Plott breed and indeed no Pocahontas Kennels. Walker will never forget that and just as importantly, he has instilled that belief into many future generations of Plott enthusiasts.

The legend of the Pocahontas Plotts is guaranteed to endure for years to come – and what better legacy can a man leave than that? We concluded our interview by asking Gene’s wife Ann, for her insightful perspective of the Walker legacy. Here is her reply: “The greatest highlight for the Walker family and the Pocahontas Plotts are the great friends that we have made as a result of the dogs. Some of our dearest and truest friends have been made due to our association with the dogs. And we definitely would not have visited many parts of this beautiful country had we not been traveling with the dogs.” The Walker family are perfect examples of the mountain families that helped make the Plott hound famous. No one will ever forget the Plott family as originators of the breed – and they should not forget them. But we all owe a debt of gratitude to people like Eugene Walker and other esteemed Plott owners who aren’t Plott family members that have helped carry the torch of the Plott clan and other early breed pioneers deep into the twenty-first century.

Blue Ridge Section of the American Leopard Cur & Yadkin River Coon Club Present

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All hounds should have current Rabies shots Contact

Directions to the club: North or South Exit 86 off of I85. Turn on Belmont Rd, at top of Ramp, turn to left. Go to stop sign, turn right on Old Salisbury Road. Then two miles and turn left onto Michael Road. Go to stop sign, turn right onto Hwy 150, then left onto Giles Rd., left on Haywood Rd. Go to end of road, left on dirt drive. Watch for signs. This club is located off Highway 150 south in the Tyro Community of Davidson County.

Henry Harris

336-998-5389 • Cell 336-970-3511

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

@treedogdoc

From Birth to New Homes Nurturing Healthy Puppies for a Strong Start BY TAYLOR YOUNG, DVM

puppy’s �irst few months are a critical time that sets it up for the rest of its life. Making sure it is physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared to go to its new home is essential to having it reach its full potential. Let’s look at the most important things you need to do to get that new litter of pups off to a great start.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

First, let’s talk about physical health. If you’ve been following my series, you’ve hopefully got a healthy dam that is up to date on vaccines, has been dewormed, and has whelped without assistance and has puppies nursing. If that has all happened, your pups are off to a great start! Their �irst day of nursing is critical, as this is when they receive colostrum. Colostrum is a unique type of milk made by the dam only during the �irst couple days after whelping. It is high in energy, but even more importantly, contains high levels of antibodies, which are the backbone of the puppies’ initial immune system. These antibodies are essential to �ighting off diseases until they develop their own at a few months of age. Deworming was important beforehand as worms, such as hookworms and roundworms, can pass to the puppies through the mother’s milk. Even with deworming the dam, though, you will never eliminate the chances of passing along worms. As a standard treatment, many vets recommend deworming with pyrantel pamoate (known by the brand name Nemex and in may combo dewormers) every 2 weeks starting at 2 weeks of age and continuing until they start routine parasite control, usually at 8 weeks (just remember 2, 4, 6, 8, pyrantel pamoate!). This will take care of the major intestinal worms of concern for puppies, hookworms, and roundworms. Coccidia are another beast entirely. Not actually worms, coccidia are much harder to �ight off and get rid of in puppies. The most important thing is that coccidia are primarily a management problem. Coccidia like wet, dirty places, and keeping a clean, dry environment will greatly reduce the chances that coccidia are around to infect your puppies. If you start having puppies with diarrhea, it’s important to have a fecal �loat done at your vet to rule these out, as over-the-counter dewormers will not �ight off coccidia.

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Vaccines for puppies are hotly debated in the dog world. The deadliest killer of puppies, parvovirus, is only able to be prevented with vaccines, and they are absolutely essential. Though you will see all kinds of advice and brands marketing vaccines for very early life, most vets, including me, do not recommend giving a vaccine until 6 weeks of age. This is due to the fact that puppy immune systems are not able to respond to a vaccine until close to that age. An even bigger problem is known as maternal antibody interference (MAI). Those antibodies from mom I talked about earlier can actually “attack” the vaccine, preventing the puppy from responding to it, and is why puppies require multiple parvo vaccines throughout their �irst few months of life. A vaccine given any younger than 6 weeks is wasted money and adds a risk of a vaccine reaction for no bene�it. If someone tries to tell you otherwise, ask to see the research proving it helps (and no, personal experience, testimonials and customer reviews don’t count).

Having a veterinarian perform your 6-week vaccines during a “litter check” is a great way to ensure you or your puppy buyers are getting as healthy an animal as they can. Having your vet check them will allow them to look for common congenital abnormalities, such as murmurs, hernias, and undescended testicles. This can lead to early intervention for some problems, or at the very least, prevent an upset new owner who takes home an unhealthy puppy. A fecal check is also commonly performed to make sure your deworming is working as it should.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

If you take care of parasites and vaccines, you’ll cover the major contributors to disease in puppies. The other major player is nutrition. Puppies will be entirely dependent on mom’s milk for the �irst few weeks of life. It can be nerve-wracking trying to tell if puppies are nursing and growing properly. An easy way to know is by taking their weight at birth.

“If you’ve covered the basics of nutrition, deworming, vaccines and socialization, you will have puppies that are well prepared to go to their new homes”

Every 24 hours, a puppy should be gaining roughly 10% of their body weight. For example, if a puppy was born weighing 4 ounces (¼ lb.), multiply that by 1.1 to get their target weight for 24 hours old (4.4 oz), and then multiply the last day’s weight by 1.1 to get the next day’s weight (i.e. next weights should be 4.84 oz, 5.3 oz, and so on). If a puppy is not gaining as it should, have your litter checked by a vet. Certain anatomical problems, such as a cleft palate, may be contributing, and things such as tube feeding can be done to help a struggling littermate.

Starting around three weeks, you can begin the process of introducing puppies to solid food. You want to start with very soft, almost liquid feed. You can use watered down canned puppy food, or dry puppy food soaked in water and run through a blender to make a gruel (don’t use your wife’s good one, though!). Make and feed small amounts to start. Small amounts fed multiple times throughout the day are better for the puppies and for keeping things clean. Oh yeah, about the clean: they’re gonna make a mess! You’ll have to put the gruel in a shallow pan they can get into to try the food, as they’re not very mobile at this point. Make sure either you or mom get them cleaned up well. You can also offer plain water in another pan at this point to get them used to drinking. As they begin to eat more, you can stop grinding up the food and switch to soaking, then to just plain dry food as they get some teeth and begin to chew. Puppies should be fully weaned by 8 weeks, if not sooner.

Mental and emotional health are also extremely important. You’ve probably heard plenty about socializing puppies, and it can’t be overstated how important it is for their development. Getting puppies exposed to different smells, sights, sounds, textures, and environments will help them in many ways. Most often, we think of this as starting after the pup goes to its new home, but it is essential to get this started before they leave your house.

While we often think of the socialization period starting at 3 weeks of age, you can actually begin some of this at a few days of age! If you search the web for “early neurological stimulation puppy,” you will see

variations on the “Super Dog” program developed by the US Military. The summary is that you put the puppies through various stimulation, such as turning them on their backs for a few seconds. Good research has shown that puppies that go through the program are less stressed, have better heart function, and are more resistant to disease as adults. Well worth a few seconds a day per pup! As they get older and more mobile, you can start getting them out of the whelping box and allowing them to explore. Building a “puppy play area” (search that in Google for ideas) may seem a bit silly, but allowing puppies to crawl around different surfaces, up and down ramps, through tunnels, and over noisy objects will allow them to develop

con�idence and boldness that will help them be well adjusted, less fearful dogs. Early positive reinforcement with the scent and sight of game, such as a coon or squirrel hide, may or may not help, but it won’t hurt and it sure is fun!

The last base to cover in our brief primer is age to go home. For some reason, sending puppies home at 6 weeks is still commonplace in the treedog world. This is outdated practice, and is actually illegal in many states, such as my home state of Virginia. The problem is that puppies need the time with their dam and littermates for proper development. Puppies that leave too soon are more likely to show fear, aggression, anxiety, and improper behaviors with other dogs as they age. The minimum age a puppy should

leave is considered to be 8 weeks, but several weeks older, up to 12 or 14, is considered even better by many.

If you’ve covered the basics of nutrition, deworming, vaccines and socialization, you will have puppies that are well prepared to go to their new homes. Raising puppies is a lot of work! Seeing them develop, make new owners happy, and become hunting dogs of their own makes it all worth it. As always, this article can’t cover every question or topic that may come up, so when in doubt, ask your veterinarian! Most of us love puppies and are happy to help you head off so many of the issues we see. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Answering the Call Embracing Tradition and Passing on the Torch of the Hunt

ver 50 years ago, a young boy lay in his bed and listened out the open window to the sound of foxhounds running through the Moss’s Creek Bottoms of McNairy County, Tennessee. My mind raced as my imagination took me out that window, I thought about what the camp�ires of the hunting group might look like. I tried to imagine what they were saying and doing on that outing. I thought about how many dogs there must have been in that pack of hounds, and as to how that ole fox was trying to lose them behind. Though I never saw these hunters or dogs in person, I felt that I had been along as a member of the hunting party many nights.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

BY JIMMY WEAVER

From those early years I had a passion for hounds and hunting dogs, and just like Billy Coleman of Where the Redfern Grows, I ached to own my own hound. Every time that I saw a dog box in the back of a pickup truck, I made it a point to try to see the hunter or the dogs. On my way to school, my bus passed a local man’s home that owned hounds, I just prayed each day that one of his hounds would be outside of their house for me to see. I had the fever and had it bad, I wanted my own hound. A few years later that dream �inally came true, when I got me a dog and the adventure of chasing hounds hasn’t ended since. Through these many years I have been blessed to have many men go out of their way to teach me the ways of the woods; training hunting dogs, reading a compass, marking my way in the outdoors, building a �ire, and other outdoor survival skills. I was truly blessed to be part of a large network of houndsmen in West Tennessee.

“I saw the same fire kindled in some of those kids’ eyes that I had had in my own eyes some 50 years ago. I could tell that some would visit this night in their minds, until they too got their own hunting dog”

Recently, I began to think about how it seems that we are losing our youth in hunting with dogs. I started conversations with several local parents about taking kids out into nature, to show them what I have been blessed to witness for so many years. It was obvious that this was something that many parents were interested in. So, I started the groundwork to make

the event a reality and set the date. I reached out to local land leases and right away they were willing to allow the group onto their hunting property.

As the time grew closer the small group of kids, grew into a large group of kids, parents, and even grandparents. The days leading up to our outing was blasted with much rain and �looding, which narrowed down the areas we had to host our event on. On the evening of the hunt everyone met at a local church, where I had arranged for an old-fashioned tractor hayride to get everyone to the Hatchie River Bottoms. Before pulling out I spoke to the group about staying together, listening to my directions, and general safety information. As you can imagine, the group was really excited and some were even concerned about being out in the dark. A few had never been into the

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

woods before at all. Let alone at night. My heart was �illed as I listened to the laughter of the kids as we climbed onto the hay wagon and continued along our journey. As we arrived at our destination in the river bottoms, I set up tables and displayed many coonhunting items for them to look at. We had an old carbide light, kerosene lanterns, wheat lights, hunting horns, and antique compasses. We also looked at the modern equipment that I currently use and compared it to the antiques of the olden days. Since the backwater was out throughout the area, I decided to lay a scent drag for my young leopard hound Preacher. The kids watched anxiously as I turned Preacher loose. They all yelled in support of his efforts. He did a great job �inding it and letting the world know that he had the coon hide up the tree. The group was able to walk into the tree and see a treeing hound for the �irst time. I saw the same �ire kindled in some of

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

those kids' eyes that I had had in my own eyes some 50 years ago. I could tell that some would visit this night in their minds, until they too got their own hunting dog. Most of the kids could not wait to put their hands on the hounds and they asked many questions about hunting with dogs and how to care for them. After putting the hounds in their kennels, I spent time with the group showing them how to read a compass and use a compass. They each received their own to keep. I spoke about how awesome being out in the woods was, but also of the many possible dangers that they may encounter out in the hunting woods at night. In case they ever were lost in the woods, I taught them how to mark their direction using a stick and how to leave messages for those searching for them. We practiced calling for help in the dark. Then we all grouped together and I taught them how to gather wood and build a �ire.

Last but not least, we had a hotdog roast. They cooked their own meal over the �ire. Oh my, what a time that they had; eating, drinking, warming by the �ire, and petting on coondogs. As the �ire died down, I talked to them about what coonhunting has meant to me for over 40 years. Many asked to come back and hunt with me again, and some have. Every time I see some of the kids they ask about Preacher and want to do another youth event. The effort that I put into this was in no way a comparison to what I owe this sport of hunting with hounds. I love to take kids squirrel hunting with my hounds as well, and they really learn a lot each time out in the woods. As I get older, I see the need more and more each day to get out youth involved in the outdoors. So, my challenge to all my hunting friends, is to take a child hunting, they may very well be the person taking you back hunting one day.

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

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Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Unlikely Bonds The Cur Dog Chronicles: Part One BY LARRY CASE

ey boy, that there is a Cur dog,” Raymond Taylor said when they stepped into his shed. Under the work bench, on a pile of old rags and newspapers lay a canine visitor he had never seen before. It was a little female and she slowly got to her feet and took two steps from under the bench. She looked up at them, but with head down like she had been caught doing something wrong. 52

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

“Don’t look like much to me”, Joey said, hands in his ragged overall pockets and his usual de�iant mode. Raymond studied the dog for a moment; she was dirty and half-starved no doubt, but this dog was not just any mongrel. This dog was from Mountain Cur stock, maybe even papered. Where could she have come from? He didn’t know anyone within forty miles of here that had dogs like this.

Raymond eased forward and offered his hand to the brindle and white dog to smell. She cowered a little more but very carefully raised her head and gave his �ingers a cautious sniff. “We’ll get her a bite to eat and see how she acts then”, Raymond said, half to himself. Joey had already lost interest in the dog, and as usual was digging through some junk in the corner

of the shed. “You gonna keep her?” Joey said suspiciously, he had two old knife blades in his hands that Raymond had never �inished. Now Raymond paused and inspected the young man before him. Twelve and a half years old, towed headed and almost handsome if you could see past the dirt and grime that usually obscured his face. He was the son of the Wilson girl that lived a mile down the road. Raymond had never asked about the boy’s father. He thought of the night that the state trooper knocked on his door, two o’clock in the morning. “Got this Wilson boy here,” the trooper said under the porch light, “He was with some older boys that got in a little bind, I don’t think he did much, but it was probably close.” “I can’t �ind his mom and her daddy said he don’t want him.” The trooper’s words hung

in the night air, half question, half declaration. Raymond glanced at the boy on the porch, he saw the kid sometimes walking the road, always dirty, always that piercing look. Raymond gave the trooper a look that said, “So why’d you bring him here?” the young policeman glanced down for a moment and said, “You’re the closest neighbor.”

So Joey stayed here with him when his mother didn’t seem to be around, Raymond had heard all the talk about Joey’s mother and the pills that he thought of as a plague that was rotting this county from the inside out. He fed the sometimes-ravenous kid, bought him a few clothes, got him to take a bath occasionally, and tried to teach him some manners, it was strained at times. He and his wife of forty years never had any kids of their own. A week later he was walking from the shed and the Cur dog followed him two steps back. Joey confronted them at the big white oak in the yard, hands on his hips and that hawk like stare. “Old man

Johnson down at the store told me you used to have the best dogs in the county, maybe the state.” Joey let that one hang for a minute then said, “How come you don’t keep dogs no more?”

Taken back, he stammered for a second then said, “Well boy, I just didn’t care about that no more after Eva died.” He felt the stab just to say her name, “I sold off the young dogs and when my old Poacher dog died, I just didn’t want no more.” He felt the boy had made him fess up to a thing long hidden, a thing he did not want to unearth. Joey considered his answer for a moment then stalked away, giving no hint of his judgment. Several days later he was in the shop and he heard a sound that startled him and brought him running into the yard. It was a sound that he never thought he would hear again. It was the laughter of a child; he walked around the barn to see if it could be true. The boy was throwing an old half de�lated basketball he had found somewhere. The Cur dog

LARRY CASE

would race over, grab the ball, and �ly back towards the boy. When she got to the kid she would juke to the side and race away, this brought squeals of delight from the boy. Raymond was enthralled, but he backed away unnoticed so as not to break the spell. He glanced one more time at the dog and boy, then at the clouds above the white oak, could it be?

One morning at daylight he was dreaming about a dog treeing. The dog was barking good, but he couldn’t seem to reach the tree. As the sleep left him, he realized the barking was in his yard. He walked out on the porch and saw the Cur dog, feet on the white oak, telling the world like Poacher used to do. Joey stood behind the dog, eyes scanning the branches. When he saw Raymond he yelled, “She’s got a big fox squirrel treed, bring us a gun!” Raymond looked down upon the two youngsters for a moment and thought he just might take Joey and show up at church this Sunday.

Larry Case has been a devoted shooter and outdoorsman since he was a child. He will admit to an addiction to turkey hunting (spring and fall) but refuses any treatment. He enjoys the company of turkeys and Cur dogs that are loud and people who speak the truth softly. He does not consider himself an expert on anything but has some strong opinions on most everything. Larry has a long-suffering wife that has endured his hunting and fishing escapades for 35 years and two grown children who hope Dad will stop embarrassing them by wearing camo year round. He owns too many dogs, not enough shotguns and is usually scheming on a new hunting or fishing spot. Larry served 36 years as a DNR Law Enforcement Officer in West Virginia and retired with the rank of Captain.

SQUIRRELHUNTING AUTHOR LARRY CASE WITH SQUIRRELS AND RACCON TREED BY HIS MOUNTAIN CUR DOG DOTZIE

Larry writes a weekly outdoor, hunting, fishing and gun related column that currently appears in 8 newspapers in 5 states. Larry has magazine articles published in Outdoor Life, American Shooting Journal, Fish and Game, NRA American Hunter, Gun Digest, and Shoot-On.com. His blog website is www.gunsandcornbread.com Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Canadian Tree Dog Exploring Quebec’s Coonhunting Heritage and Unique Challenges with Marc Gauthier

n this series, I'll be talking with some of Canada's most devoted tree-dog enthusiasts, taking a look at hound-life north of the border. This article takes us over to southern Quebec, talking with Mr. Marc Gauthier, about his life spent training and competing with his Treeing Walker coonhounds. Enjoy…

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

BY MICKEY SIDDLE

Hello/Bonjour, my name is Marc Gauthier of Quebec, Canada. I have been retired since 2019, after working as a banker for 30 years. I am married to my wonderful wife, Éloïse Girardot, and we have two very beautiful daughters, Laurie and Chloé.

My interest in coonhunting began when I was still living with my parents on the family dairy farm, in a very small municipality called Saint-Nazaire d'Acton, in Quebec, Canada. Since we were very young, we hunted hares with Beagles. Then at the age of 14, I met a person who hunted raccoons with dogs, and my curiosity was piqued, so much so, that I bought myself a Walker/foxhound cross, and this hound never gave up the tree. Subsequently, I bought myself a Treeing Walker puppy (his grandfather was a House’s Cheif), I called him Summer Soldier.

I trained him, and at the age of 16, I crossed the border to go for my �irst competition

hunt in Lyndonville, VT. You should know that in Quebec we only speak French, so when I went to my �irst competition, I only knew how to say ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘strike my dog’ and ‘tree my dog’. Over the years I have learned my English as best as I could from coonhunters! My �irst competition went very well, and it started a healthy addiction lasting over 45 years now.

I've always preferred Treeing Walkers for their speed, and ability on the tree. Over the years I have trained 32 Treeing Walker puppies. What I particularly like about competition coonhunting, is traveling across the United States, from the Northeast, through the Midwest, and into some of the western states, meeting all kinds of people with whom I build friendships. It was a great experience. I often slept in a tent, washing myself in streams. People were drawn to me, with my small Renault 5 car, and my French accent. People had never seen such a small car before!

“I’ve always preferred Treeing Walkers for their speed, and ability on the tree. Over the years I have trained 32 Treeing Walker puppies” One of these �ine folks became my best friend, Mr Jody Manor of New York state.. Jody and I have competed together all over the United States. We have been friends for over 30 years, and have been on competitive trips together. We see a lot of beautiful places, and we meet people as passionate as we are, which is what makes this sport so extraordinary. Among the dogs I have trained over the years, my favorite has always been GrNiteCh'PR'Stylish Tuff Man's Chief. Chief was a calm hound, an accurate locator, with a drifting track style and an above average nose. He had a winning ability of over 65%. On several occasions he treed coons in places where the other dogs had just passed by without doing anything. His nose and his accuracy made him superior to the others. When he barked, we were sure we were going to see a coon. Enough so, that some competitors told me no need to shine the tree, we know that the coon is there!

THE RENAULT 5 Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

“What is really different in Quebec compared to the United States is the size of our coons. A kitten of the year can easily weigh 20 pounds by late fall, and an adult coon weighs an average of 30 to 35 pounds”

It was truly a pleasure to compete with Chief. My current dogs are different. GrNiteCh'PR'Gauthier's Snow Face, comes from the best cross of Randy Smith (Bone Collector x Lone Pine Fran). Snow Face is the type of hedge woods drifter, with a very great ability to �ind the tree very quickly. My female, GrNiteCh'PR'Gauthier's Easy Crazy Paris is of the ambush and layup coon-dog style, it comes from the sister of Apollo and Mojo Crazy.

I am of the opinion that the crossing of two totally different dogs can produce exceptional dogs. Besides, we are expecting their �irst puppies in mid-October. The crossing of Snow Face and Paris gives us Bone Collector + Lone Pine Fran + Carolina Easy (Power Pack) + Mojo's Crazy (Hollow Mojo). I haven't found this type of crossbreeding anywhere else, I hope these puppies will make a difference. 56

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

MARC WITH HIS FIRST WINNING DOG AT THE UKC HUNTS, SUMMER SOLDIER

Our local hunting grounds here in southern Quebec, are mainly made up of maple groves, corn �ields and soybean �ields. Considering that in our maple groves there are a lot of quad trails, I chose to use the side-by-side Pioneer 500 from Honda, given that it has the same width as a normal 4-wheeler, I can go everywhere without problem. I simply put two metal cages in the back. I can put 4 dogs in there, but normally two. I love my Pioneer, I drive up to almost every tree!

I have been using Garmin GPS for several years, at the moment I have a 300i and a 200i as a backup with two T5s, two TT15s, a mini TT15 and a T20 as well as a TT25. I’m really happy with the latest models. Recently I was approached by Dogtra, to try the new Path�inder2. It has multiple bene�its. Firstly it is legal in Canada, secondly

the connection time with the satellite is just 2 seconds, thirdly it uses Google Maps, and fourthly it reaches a distance of 2.5 miles. I haven’t used it enough yet to recommend above Garmin, but I �ind that these advantages are great for Canadians. Coonhunting has greatly improved over the years with the technological advancement of GPS and ATV’s. Today it’s much easier to have fun practicing our sport. The fact remains that with or without equipment, enthusiasts will always be passionate.

What is really different in Quebec compared to the United States is the size of our coons. A kitten of the year can easily weigh 20 pounds by late fall, and an adult coon weighs an average of 30 to 35 pounds.

SNOW FACE

PARIS

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Tell Your Story Turning Hunting Adventures into Timeless Tales BY CHRIS POWELL

e all know that guy that can take an ordinary day of hunting and turn it into a story for the ages. Those epic story tellers can draw a crowd at the local club and generate roaring laughter and hold the attention of even the most skeptical and straightlaced audience. They mix minute details with colorful details and well-placed humor and have crowds hanging on every word.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

We all know that guy that can take an ordinary day of hunting and turn it into a story for the ages. Those epic story tellers can draw a crowd at the local club and generate roaring laughter and hold the attention of even the most skeptical and straightlaced audience. They mix minute details with colorful details and well-placed humor and have crowds hanging on every word. The art of the story is truly a skill and a craft that is mastered by few but enjoyed by many.

Story telling is an old, old tradition. Since the dawn of time and before written language, men have gathered after the hunt to tell stories. A buﬀalo rib roast cooking over a �ire, the grease seeping out of the succulent hunk of fresh meat, the juices sizzling in the coals with each drop brought comfort and security. The world was a dangerous place and survival was a full-time job. The council �ire was the gathering place to relax and unwind. The meat had been secured, the elements and predators and enemies had been overcome. It was time to unwind in the palisades of safety and security. As bellies were �illed with the reward of a successful hunt, the stories �lowed freely. Great stories would be told over and over as if to etch them in the memories of all so they were never forgotten and passed on to others; even into the future. I am admittedly a poor story teller. I am a facts type person. At the risk of dating myself, I am by nature a Joe Friday, “just the facts ma’am” type of guy. Some of this is probably due to a lifetime of military service and law enforcement duties. I have let my professional tendencies spill over into my recreational pleasures. My views, all too often, are shaded in tones of black and white with a little gray here and there. When I hunt, I look at cause and eﬀect. I evaluate results. We caught a bear, why? We lost a track, why? We got outrun, why? I fail to see the nuances of the hunt. I’ll be charging ahead when I hear laughter behind me. I turn to �ind that in my narrow focus to achieve my goal I missed someone doing something crazy; a stumble that led to someone landing in a pile of bear poo. Maybe a beautiful view or cool arrow head or a unique �lower or rock. When I am too wrapped up in the task, I miss the opportunity to see the things that lead to a great story. Ultimately, I miss the things that make hunting rewarding and fun.

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

There are some things that I have noticed that are common to great story tellers. They possess certain personality traits that allow them to see the whole picture, take a mental photo and relive it later. They focus more on the “how” than the “why”. They approach situations with the intent of having fun rather than accomplishing a task. They are cheerful people that others enjoy spending time with. The art of the story; let’s break it down.

I recently spent a week in a back country camp, bear hunting with friends in New Mexico. Seth Hall, Tanner Herr, Ed Barnes, Cody Jenkins and I, all met on a pin drop location from hundreds of miles away in mostly diﬀerent directions. The camp could have only been improved by adding a natural spring or clear running stream for camp water. Everything else was perfect. Tall ponderosa pines shaded a spacious camp that was large enough for tents, cooking, access, and dogs. The �ire ring was centralized and provided a place to cook and loaf. The story telling and conversation was both philosophical and entertaining. As I fed dogs or cared for gear or being “task oriented” laughter could be heard. One particular

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

laugh would come from Ed. I could hear conversation and then the distinct identifying laugh of Ed. It caused me to hurry up and get back to the fun to see what I was missing. The ring leader was nearly always Cody. The southern, good-old-boy accent reminded me more of friends I have from Alabama rather than Oklahoma. We are all witness to the same events of the week but Cody could describe it in a way that added humor and color to the story. There were creative uses of the English language. He didn’t see a steep mountain; he saw an incline “as steep as a cows face”. He didn’t see a cliﬀ, he saw a place where one wrong step and “you were sure enough gonna die”. He didn’t describe walks as diﬃcult, they were “death marches” only to be navigated with not trekking poles but “hippie sticks”. There was a brilliant description of situations using adjectives and humor that would weave together a clear mental picture for the listener. The listener could be transported to the moment and relive it.

Seth Hall is quite the story teller, but uses a little diﬀerent style. He is very detail oriented but also perceptive in a way that draws you in. He doesn’t just walk

through the woods. As he travels the high mountain desert, he sees the forest, not just the trees. He will geek out with scienti�ic names of plants and animals. At one point, he gave me the scienti�ic name for a speci�ic type of agave. I laughed and said the common name was good enough for an Indiana hillbilly. He laughed but his addition of scienti�ic terms only abated, slightly. The dude walked miles through brush and cactus in sandals. Of course, someone, probably Cody, called them “Jesus Cruisers.” Seth would spin up a story that surprised us too. His ability to break from the biology nerd to New Mexican “good ol’ boy” would catch us oﬀ guard and have us holding our bellies. He talked about his adventures hunting the New Mexico landscape in a way that added color, nuance, and humor. He added odd details that made the tales unforgettable. Master story tellers use words creatively and colorfully to describe events. They don’t just tell you how a man was dressed, they describe his clothes; from a weathered silver belly hat to the scuﬀed up boots that have seen many miles in stirrups and encounters with prickly pear.

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Hounds aren’t just dogs. They become brave warriors that pursue game relentlessly. They don’t just bark; they open on track with such enthusiasm it is surely generated from deep within their souls.

Story telling is an art and the master learns to use humor wisely and not overdo it with corny adjectives and an overabundance of hillbilly quips or an overdose of technical language. The master knows his audience and how to keep them hanging onto every word. He uses suspense and makes takes the listener to the moment. Listeners are drawn into the whole adventure instead of just the end result.

Story telling has served mankind very well in the course of history. From the ancient �ires to cave drawings. The ancient Israelites were judicious story tellers. Their genealogy and historical events were passed down through multiple generations. Written historical documents were not availed to a population that would not read anyway. The Navajo and other native tribes also kept history alive through story telling. There is a massive canyon on the Navajo Nation in the southwest called Canyon De Chelly (pronounced da shay) that

has drawing of historical events; battles, hunts and a ‘written history of the Navajo and other peoples that used the valley.

History was passed down and preserved by eﬀective story telling.

Story telling is still important today. In spite of a world with social media and one-minute videos, we still need stories. Stories tell the world who we are, as houndsmen, and what we do. When we don’t tell our story eﬀectively, as a community, we allow others who want to strip us of our freedoms to tell the story for us. They misrepresent who we are, why we do what we do and how we do it. Mis-telling our story is a huge risk to our survival. As a hound hunting community, we must pivot and adjust to current to trends. Instead of just posting on social media with grip and grins and dead critters we would do well to tell the story of what it is like to plan a breeding, the pups being whelped, the raising and training of the hound and ultimately the hound ful�illing its genetic purpose. We need to pull in some Cody tactics and add color and humor. We need to develop our skills and knowledge of a Seth to speak to the value of hunting. As nerdy as it may seem, we are hunters who have

been given a trust to conserve our wildlife. We need to not only talk about the entertainment value of hunting but also the scienti�ic validity of hunting.

Develop your skills to become an eﬀective story tellers. See the color in the world and paint a picture with your words. Subscribe to magazines like Full Cry and other well written publications. Read books, keep journals, and verbally tell your stories at the tailgates and around the camp�ires. Listen to podcasts. It’s time for us to tell our own story…again. In a modern world with social media platforms and video shorts or “reels”, it would seem that we are losing the ability to tell a good story. I grew up reading Full Cry magazine and the thing that kept me coming back were the great stories that transported me. I was riding behind Dale Lee and inspecting every lion track. Del Cameron took me to the Bitterroot, North Fork of the Salmon, and Utah to hunt with Fly, Nell and Savage Sam. Dick Bear always wrote a good yarn about his elkhounds. I’m glad to see this publication back up and running. Houndsmen need a place to tell their story. Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

@houndsmen_heritage

Chasing Passions Unraveling the Heartbeat of Hound Hunting 62

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

BY JOE YODER

nder a full moon in the middle of a cool October night, two guys and a young lad sat on an old decaying log all silently gazing into a �laring bon�ire while the slight aroma of brewing coffee reached their nostrils. Yet they weren't out here for the coffee or the blazing camp�ire. For about a half-mile away on the ridge, above this cozy setting, the mesmerizing sound of baying hounds rang across the countryside echoing down the valley, delivering pure rhythmic beauty.

The sound of the hounds came closer at exceptional speed, occasionally falling silent for a few seconds before one of the four hounds would break the silence in his loud, deep voice and the rest of the pack would hark in, and the chase would continue. Although these hounds were not uniform in size or color and came from various bloodlines, all shared the same qualities, speed, heart, and the stamina to run a red fox from dusk till dawn!!! Scenes like this are �irmly branded into my memory, for those were some of my fondest childhood memories!

At a very young age, I could be found roaming the

rolling farm country of East Central Ohio, where the fertile �ields are surrounded by small woodlots and small clear streams are found around every corner! With a pellet gun in hand, I'd roam these woods in search of chipmunks, crawdads and any other mammal that I could stumble upon. It didn't take long till I discovered that squirrels could be treed with dogs and by my early teens. No squirrel within a 5-mile radius of my back porch could be considered safe! As I gained a little more knowledge from the old faithful cur that had

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

shown me everything I knew about tree dogs, I was soon spending most autumn nights in the timber pursuing the wily ringtail. Night after night I'd walk through those hills, chasing a couple English Coonhounds and �illing my fur shed with pelts!

After a couple years, the desire to harvest as many coon as I could subsided and the glamor of the competition coonhunting soon had me traveling from Mississippi to Michigan and everywhere in between, delivering myself the gut wrenching feeling of failure with every mistake I made as an inexperienced handler with limited mentorship in the competition world. Many lonely windshield hours wondering how I could increase my terrifying low win percentage! 64

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

But despite all the handler miscues and the embarrassing performances by my hound, there is always the sweet taste of victory that once in a lifetime cast, where for 2 hours hound and handler come into perfect sync and perform �lawlessly like a perfect display of a ballet!! Giving you that indescribable high that couldn't come from the strongest drug, it's that same feeling you get from watching a young pup's �ire ignite when he happens to be at right place at the right time and that prey drive, that is deeply rooted in its DNA is sparked to life! While spending night after night under the wide-open sky, listening to a hound unravel a cold trail, trying to perfect the craft, my mind has often wondered how did I end up here. Why has my desire to

run hounds trumped most all facets of life?

Is it the free-spirited romance of roaming the wilderness with a pack of hounds? Is it the great people that are in this awesome sport? Maybe it is the adrenaline that boils through your veins as your hound performs an incredible feat in the last seconds of a competition event?

But after many hours of pondering, my conclusion is that deeply ingrained in our DNA is that same desire for the chase that lies deep within our hounds. And some years ago in those hills of east central Ohio, beside that blazing camp�ire, a spark fell on dry kindling igniting that love for the chase that is still burning stronger than ever.

Finley River “The Strain”

So great to see Full Cry has been saved and will continue to be a part of the great history of our sport of coon hunting. Finley River Cash Out

The Finley River Strain of Treeing Walkers has also been a part of that history. The success of this strain is not because of one person, but many, many people who contributed to the formation of it and the popularity of it. We have tried to preserve the Legendary Finley River Strain by keeping the old blood as close to the front as possible and most importantly coon dog to coon dog. Finley River White Out may be available to a few females if their breeding fits into to what we are trying to produce. Finley River Cash Out is a son of White Out and from a great proven cross. Roger has allowed me to buy 1/2 in him also. He will be available to a few females. Roger will also be having some pups for sale from both these coon hounds this winter and next spring. For information about breeding to these hounds or pups out of them please contact: ROGER PRATER Concord, GA 770-468-2078 DON NICELY P.O. Box 179 Gradyville, PA 19039 realdonnicely@gmail.com 610-745-0356 please visit www.finleyriverchief.com

Finley River Cash Out

Finley River White Out

GEORGE LAMBERT'S SECRET WEAPON "SCRUFFY" THE TREEING FEIST

Thinking Outside the (Dog) Box Game-Changing Strategies for Bear Pursuits

he bear is winning the day. The hounds have been on him for miles. They close the distance again and again but—just when it seems that they will succeed in making him climb— the bear turns and �ights. When the �ighting is done and the hounds are cowed, he turns and runs again. Some bears just seem to be built for speed, while some are built like the author (for donuts).

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

BY BARRY “BEAR” SIRAGUSA

The bear crosses the road 100 yards in front of the hounds. By the next road crossing, he is 250 yards ahead of the pack. The hounds are game. They push on, with tongues slapping them in the eyes and sides covered with slobber, all while baying the song of their people. A concerto that would bring a tear to the eye of dear old Saint Hubertus. The next road crossing will be the decider. If the bear keeps his current pace, he will shake the hounds. The houndsman wracks his brain like Bill Belichick (sorry, my New England is showing) for a strategy that could turn the tide and bring home the W for his team (pack).

The options are few: shoot the bear at the road crossing? Not really a win for the hounds, and like “de�lategate” (google it), not really all that sporting. Another option is letting that bear go, to run another day. Not really a bad option, but wouldn’t it be nice to have something to show for the hounds’ efforts? The third option is putting more dogs on the bear at the

“The world blurs, equilibrium slips his grasp, and the bear tumbles out of the tree to the ground. Goliath, taken down by a 15-pound David”

next road crossing. In this case, it has already been done. The box is practically echoing from lack of hound-�lesh. It has become a deep, cavernously empty blob, on the back of the truck. In the cab, however, sits the pack mascot; a 15-pound feist that is currently alternating between stealing packed lunches and farting in the back seat. The options are few so the feist gets a GPS collar and the stinky little terror takes up the hunt as the bear crosses the road with a look of disbelief, as if to say: “THAT’S your play? You must be truly desperate!”

The feist leads the charge after the bruin. Barking maniacally. The bear runs a few hundred feet into the laurel and, abruptly changing direction, spins around to rid himself of this mosquitosized irritation, only to �ind that his pursuer isn’t there.

Suddenly, the feist appears behind him barking frantically. He spins again and swings his mighty paw, expecting to meet fur and bone, only to �ind his paw and deadly claws whistling through thin air. Irritation begins to turn to confusion.

He wuffs as if to say “Get it together. Your mamma didn’t raise no wimp.” He begins to move again, running through the laurel and scrub, gaining con�idence with each stride as he �inds his long-distance rhythm again.

Just as he starts to feel positively optimistic, a small �igure appears --seemingly out of thin air-- in front of him and practically trips him (hurling

SCRUFFY AT A BEAR TREE

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

GEORGE LAMBERT'S FEIST UP FRONT AND IN THE ACTION

canine profanities all the while). The bear skids to a halt and turns to face his assailant only to �ind, once again, that the little monster is gone.

Bewildered panic begins to grip his mighty heart. Hounds he could deal with. Waves of slab-sides warriors baying for his blood he had faced before. But THIS. This isn’t a hound. This is some unholy demon-spawn from the very depths of hell (or perhaps New York City).

The bear spins in anger. The laurel rustles and the underbrush moves, but nothing appears upon which he can vent his rage. He pauses and listens. Apart from the rustling in the underbrush, his war-scarred and tattered ears can hear the approach of the pack? He has wasted time on what should have been a mere annoyance, and the pack has seized the opportunity to gain some ground. A sharp pain radiates suddenly from his heel, he whirls and �inds nothing but a tiny bloodied clump of his own hair, torn out by an invisible attacker. A

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

locating bawl explodes directly behind him. The full weight of the situation comes crashing down on him. He has made a fatal error.

The hounds have arrived, and the demon from hell (or possibly New York City) suddenly appears in his face again. He swerves in panic and comes face to face with not an animal, but a huge, towering pine. His rage gives way to sheer linear panic and up the tree he runs as the hounds burst through the undergrowth and encircle the tree he has just barely managed to climb.

THE HUNTING HOUND PODCAST

He is caught, and can only watch as the hounds settle in beneath him, barking treed. All the while, catching only brief glimpses of the small terror that brought him to this: the culmination of his day of reckoning.

The houndsmen emerge from the forest and begin to leash dogs and tie them off to nearby trees. The hunters gather a distance from the tree as the bear watches. Suddenly a loud ri�le report echoes through the holler, followed by a sharp pain. The world blurs, equilibrium slips his grasp, and the bear tumbles out of the tree to the ground. Goliath, taken down by a 15-pound David. Disbelief fades to black... ...Or something like that.

There is a long and rich history of houndsmen using different breeds of dogs to ‘catch’ game after their hounds have located and run it. Montague Stevens, a one-armed grizzly bear hunter who wrote the book Meet Mr. Grizzly, writes about his fox terrier ‘Twist’ who not only led him and his horse to the tree by following the trail taken by the pack but was also responsible for surprising more than one bear up a tree.

“There was, however, one dog, other than a hound, that was of real use, and that was my fox terrier Twist. Of course, he couldn’t �ight a bear, but he did what he could, which was to bark in his face.” -Montague Stevens

The legendary Von Plott was known to keep an Airedale terrier.

Modern-day houndsman Jesse Medina runs Airedales together with his hounds and maintains that they help shut the bear down, especially with so-called ‘walking bears’ that refuse to tree but are content to stay on the ground and go to war with the hounds.

Frequent guest on The Hunting Hound Podcast, YouTuber (Mountain Music and Mules), eminent houndsman, and muleskinner, George Lambert, uses his feist ‘Scruffy’ to assist the hounds at the tail end of a long chase. Scruffy will jump the bear at a road crossing and put the pressure on the bear necessary for it to climb. George has pondered out loud whether he would have caught as many bears as he has, if it wasn’t for Scruffy giving the bear such an irritatingly hard time that the bear chose to climb rather than deal with the little hellion. He suspects not.

JESSE MEDINA'S AIREDALE

A good pack of hounds will get the job done with little or no help absolutely most of the time. Still, every hunter has stories about ‘the one that got away.’ Usually told with a mixture of admiration and frustration. ‘Yeah, he beat us, but we almost had him.’

I wonder whether an ace up the sleeve would have made that fractional difference. Do some of these old-school houndsmen know something that the rest of us don’t? Pig hunters frequently have catch dogs. Can we big-game guys bene�it from having a ‘curve ball’ in our arsenal? Not the a-bomb big �ighting breeds, but an annoying mosquito-ish pest? I’m not sure. It’s an interesting thought though...

I shall tell you a story. I shall tell you of your father.

available at

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW CHAMPION JORDYN BROOKS W/ CH SIDESHOW SHOULDA BEEN A COWBOY

Youth Triumphs Kentucky Houndsmen Association BY HANNAH CHAPMAN

n September, the Kentucky Houndsmen held our 2 biggest events of the year; the Kentucky State Youth Championship on Sept 9th and the Kentucky State Championship on Sept 29th and 30th. Both events were held at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Winchester, Kentucky and had great turnouts. In this column, I am going to focus on our youth event and next month's column, I’ll tell you all the results of the State Championship. 70

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

The youth championship is a favorite for the directors. It’s a lot of fun to see the kids out there with the dogs from the show, to the treeing contest, to the coon squalling contest, and of course the hunt. From little ones all the way to 17-year-olds and it’s so nice to see the future of the houndsmen developing. This year we would like to extend congratulations to our winners: 2023 Kentucky State Show Champion

Jordyn Brooks handling Ch Sideshow Shoulda Been a Cowboy

2023 Kentucky State Hunt Champion Scarlett Singer Handling Nt Ch First and Ten We’ve included photos of both these young ladies with the hounds, as well as additional photos from our event. If you would like to see more photos from this event or any other, please visit our facebook page or our website at www. kyhoundsmen.com. Please be sure to check back next month and we will �ill you in on our state championship results. Until then, happy hunting!

YOUTH HUNT CHAMPION SCARLETT SINGER W/ NT CH FIRST AND TEN

2ND PLACE HUNT ROLLER’S CAMP AKA BIG MAN W/ CHLOE RENFRO

3RD PLACE HUNT BYERS BOOGAR HOLLOW W/JAKOB WHITELOCK

4TH PLACE HUNT BAKER’S PRIMETIME POLLY W/ COLTON BAKER

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

www.markzepp.com

WITH

MARK ZEPP Short Stories of a Coyote Gypsy, from A to Zepp

s a kid I loved visiting my grandparents on their 40 acre farm off Whitney Road in Wellington, OH. It is where I learned to hunt, �ish and trap at an early age. My grandfather bought my brother Charley and I old �ishing lures, used traps from a fur buyer in Oberlin, Ohio and many, many of those yellow and black tubes full of BB's for our Daisy ri�les which allowed us to terrorize unsuspecting sparrows and turtles in the pond just south of the apple orchard. What a life! 72

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

He also subscribed to Outdoor Life magazine and it is there I spied my �irst glance at an ad for Full Cry Magazine. The ads from Cas Walker, Fred Moran "The Redbone Man", Dorman Clouse and particularly the training articles from John Wick kept me dreaming as I turned the pages and read the articles under the multi color lights of the Christmas tree. Those were magical days that shaped my childhood and steered me towards the man I would grow into. There was a nice older lady who was the owner of Full Cry when I was a kid and Seth Gault purchased the magazine from her. I remember meeting Seth for the �irst time shortly after going to work for Wick Outdoor Works

at Plott Days on the fairgrounds in Flora, Ilinois. He was a nice fella and would eventually sell the magazine to Terry Walker. I really liked Terry when I �irst met him and our friendship grew as I got to know him better over the next twenty or more years. For those who don't know Terry he's a great guy who fought the good �ight to keep both American Cooner and Full Cry in going as the publishing world has changed over the past �ifteen years. There were great years in the magazine business initially for Terry but the truth is the last several have been terrible for the publishing business in general as newspapers and magazines have gone out of business. I

love getting the monthly or bi-monthly subscriptions to the half dozen magazines that I subscribe to, but the truth is a heck of a lot of people spend the day staring at their phone for their news and entertainment.

Jason Duby and his wife Dani are the new owners of Full Cry. I have known Jason for several years and he is a hunter, houndsman, and good guy. He and Dani and their four children will need you to help them as they try to grow their new adventure and keep the tradition of this magazine and our great sport going. It will be a tough �ight and everyone and even YOU will need to pitch in and help.

MEET THE NEW FULL CRY OWNERS AT THE UKC GRAND AMERICAN IN ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA, JANUARY 5TH, AND 6TH, 2024. IF YOU ARE A HOUNDSMAN THIS HUNT SHOULD BE ON YOUR “BUCKET LIST.”

I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHOT THIS PHOTO ON THE WAY TO AUTUMN OAKS IN 2011. GOOD ADVICE FOR HUNTERS THEN, AND EVERYONE NOW.

You will need to subscribe and encourage your friends to subscribe and advertise to this magazine. If you think about the past several months without American Cooner or Full Cry it has almost been like the passing of an old friend. All of us must help. All of us must give a little extra effort and help spread the word that Full Cry is back up and running. It will take all of us and I believe it is a �ight worth �ighting.

I will write some articles for Full Cry from time to time as I did in American Cooner. The great Steve Fielder and others will help with articles. I look forward to sharing some of my life's adventures with you in the coming months and hope to see you at the Grand American Coon Hunt in Orangeburg, South Carolina in January. Good Hunting! - Big Mark

FROM SALEM, IL IN 2014: JOHN WICK (CENTER) WAS INDUCTED INTO THE PKC HALL OF FAME. FORMER FULL CRY OWNER TERRY WALKER (LEFT) AND ALLAROUND GREAT GUY EDDIE SIMMONS (RIGHT). Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Kids Corner To submit your child's hunt photos, short stories, poems, or artwork for Kids Corner send them to publish@fullcrymag.com One child each issue will be selected to receive a $25 gift card.

NOTHING CUTER THAN KIDS AND PUPPIES... AND LAKEN IS PRETTY CUTE!

BOONE, 7, FROM TN WITH HIS MT. CUR BIRDY. HE LOVES TO SQUIRREL AND COON HUNT WITH DOGS.

CALEB, 11 , WITH HIS SECOND BEAR IN EAST TENNESSEE

BLAKELY WITH A PUP SHE CALLS YELLER!

BRODY WITH HIS FEIST PUP BREEZY. HE LOVES TEACHING THE PUPS TO LISTEN TO COMMANDS.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

FEED HIM EVERY NIGHT by Jack Wilkinson A boy is born and soon he starts walking

Work can be tough; the bills keep coming in

Next thing you know he’s running around talking

So he longs for the evening with his dog in the pen

The boy comes home from school one day and his Dad has a puppy

One night the man goes out to feed his dog but it isn't �ine

All he can think about is how he’s so lucky

The dog is old now and he's at the end of the line

He picks up the puppy and holds him so tight

He sits there longer than normal and thanks of good times

Dad says he's yours now, feed him every night

Not the days in the woods with the dog, cruising through the pines

The boy says yes dad and runs out to play

He thinks of the nights in the pen When he needed that old friend

He has no idea what those words will mean to him someday

Sadly the dog passes in his sleep

As the boy grows up he feeds his dog every night

The man wakes up, �inds him, and weeps

Pats him on the head and says sleep tight

It’s the circle of life and it can be hard

The man has that moment every single day

But the man thanks the Lord for his nights in the yard

Then he starts to take that time to pray

It's all gonna be okay because the Good Lord is real

The boy turns into a man and days start to get hard

The man's got a son on the way and it helps him heal

But every night he prays with the dog in the yard

He knows one day he’ll get his son a dog

The dog continues to wag his tail and eat his food

The boy will hug the dog tight

Having no idea how it helps the man's mood

The man will tell the boy feed him every night

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Book Corner

ithin the tree dog world there is a plethora of books recounting the knowledge and experience of those who have spent many years following the cry of their hounds. In this section those books will be highlighted so anyone interested may learn from the dog men of the past. For those who might think they have not the time to read, in a book you can learn in hours what another learned in a lifetime.

Tigrero is the autobiography of a man who was born in Latvia but while on the path to freedom and adventure discovered jaguar hunting. During his travels in South America, he was sent on a quest to �ind and learn from an old Indian hunter that killed the big cats with a spear. He ultimately made a livelihood hunting cattle killing jaguars in the Mato Grasso region of Brazil. This part of Brazil has some of the largest jaguars to be found and Sasha Siemel mastered the art of hunting them with just a few dogs and a spear. While much of this book is not directly about hunting with hounds, the author’s journey to becoming a houndsman is quite fascinating.

Title: Tigrero! Author: Sasha Siemel Original Publication Date: 1953 Availability: Readily Purchased New or Used Hunting Location: Brazil Game Pursued: Jaguar and Mountain Lion Type of Dogs: American Foxhounds and native Brazilian dogs 76

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

These tales of hunting one of the most dangerous game animals ever pursued with hounds will lure you into the marsh grass as he entices the jaguar to charge. This form of hunting may very well be the most challenging task a man and his hounds can undertake, and it is well worth the read. If you know a book on hunting with dogs that deserves recognition, please email boppe. hunting@gmail.com

Danny Boppe

GONE to the DOGS Steve Fielder traveled the United States and Canada pursuing a thirty-three year career involving coonhounds and hound hunting. He worked for all three major coonhound registries; UKC, PKC and AKC. His work on behalf of hound hunters has been recognized on many fronts; Kentucky Colonel, Honorary Texan and Michigan Bear Hunter’s Association Sparky Hale Award winner are some of Steve’s numerous awards. Steve’s professional and private life have been deeply devoted to tree dogs. Ater retirement, he wrote the highly acclaimed GONE TO THE DOGS – A COON HUNTER’S JOURNEY from which the popular GONE TO THE DOGS PODCAST was derived.

THE BOOK THE PODCAST 200 pages, 22 chapters that capture Steve’s interesting and entertaining experiences with hounds and hunters Books are available for $25.00 (Free Shipping) at: STEVEFIELDERBOOKS.COM

A weekly program covering all aspects of the tree dog sports with interesting and informative guests discussing a wide range of hound-related topics each week.

You may also order with check or money order in the amount of $25.00 (includes shipping) at: Steve Fielder Books 11235 Rollingwood Drive, Port Richey, FL 34668.

The podcast airs weekly on the Hound Podcast: Double U Hunting Supply network or anywhere you get your podcasts online.

DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES COMPLETE KENNEL DISPERSAL GRNTCH, PKC CH PR

FCH GRNTCH PR

BAD WHISKEY BUZZ

LENDHART MOJOS HAMMER H TX

FOR SALE

CHGRNTCH PR Noctural Style GRCH GRNTCH PR All Grand Track Man GRNTCH GRCH PR Rock River Lady GRNTCH PR Tri Color Bad Company NTCH PR Hub’s Homer GRNTCHPR4E TriColor Nowhere’s Baby GRNTCH PR Looken Up Stylish Nowhere’s GRNTCH, PKC CHPR BAD WHISKEY BUZZ GRNTCH PR Davis’ Stylish Harry’s Hammer GRCH GRNTCH PR Thomas’ Only Reezen GRNTCH PR Scar’s Open Spotted Jule GRNTCH GRCH PR Insane Wenty II HTX GRNTCH PR Turpin’s Insane Cain GRCH GRNTCHPR Insane Wenty GRNTCH PR Nailor’s Hurricane Jane

GRNTCH PR Nocturnal Nailor GRNTCH PR Schmersal’s Stylish Anna CH GRNTCH PR Rock River Sackett Jr GRNTCH PR Night Heat Dixie NTCH PR Skuna River Fred NTCH PR Raccoon Valley Queen GRNTCH PR Fletcher’s Stylish Jake CH GRNTCH PR Backwater Pearl GRNTCH PR Ball’s Stylish Hickory Nut Harry GRCH GRNTCH PR Night Heat Abby WLONTCH GRNTCH PR Little Woods Scar GRNTCH GRCH PR Little Sadie WLDNTCH GRNTCH GRCH PRX Jr WLONTCH GRNTCH PR Bolden & Turpin’s Insane Jane GRNTCH PR Nocturnal Nailor GRCH GRNTCH PR Waltz’ Hurricane Jane

FOR SALE GRNTCHPR Nocturnal Nailor CH GRNTCH PR Nocturnal Style GRNTCHPR Schmersal’s Stylish Anne GRCH GRNTCH PR All Grand Track Man CH GRNTCH PR Rock River Sackett, Jr GRNTCH GRCH PR Rock River Lady GRNTCH PR Night-Heat Dide PRTRACKMAN’S LIPPER LOU GRNTCH PR House’s Clint GRNTCH GRCH PR House’s Lipper PR House’s Queen Lou GRNTCH PROldahoma Lipper’s Lady GRCH GRNTCH PR Night Life Pay Dirt GRNTCHPR Waltz & Risings Drama-Queen GRNTCH PCHPR Stylish Penny

GRNTCH PR Yadkin Tar Rattler GRNTCH GRCH PR Lockdown Lassie GRNTCH CH PR Logan’s Wild Clover GRNTCH PR Korte’s Stylish Chirpee GRNTCH PR Rock River Sackett GRNTCH PR Skean’s Dolly GRNTCH CH PR Hicountry’s Nite Heat GRNTCH PR Lone Pine Patches GRNTCH PR House’s Tom Tom NTCH PR Kentucky Judy GRNTCH Shives Goldhill Tom NTCH Shives Goldhill Lou GRNTCH PR KMK Night Heat Eagle GRNTCH PR Waltz Nite Train GRCH GRNTCH PR Ball’s Sty. Hick. Nut Gold GRNTCH PR Hollander’s Magnificent Meggie

GRNTCH PR Ball’s Stylish Hickory Nut Harry GRNTCH PR Hard Knockin Stylish Hayes GRNTCH PR Schmersal’s Stylish Anna GRNTCH PR Davis’ Stylish Harry’s Hammer CH GRNTCH PR Rock River Sackett Jr GRCH GRNTCH PR Night Heat Abby GRNTCH PR Night-Heat Dixie CH GRNTCH PR Boogar Hollow Mojo CH GRNTCH PR Rock River Sackett Jr GRCH GRNTCH PRRat Attack GRNTCH PR Night-Heat Dixie GRNTCHPR Horse Range Stylish J Lo GRNTCH PR Ball’s Stylish Hickory Nut Harry GRNTCH PR Still’s Stylish Trixie GRNTCH PR Crooked Creek Misty FCH GRNTCH LENHART MOJDS HAMMER HTX CH GRNTCH PR Nocturnal Style GRCH GRNTCH PR All Grand Track Man GRNTCH GRCH PR Rock River Lady CH GRNTCH PR Hardwood Cornell GRCH GRNTCHPR Jacob’s Hrdwd Wishbone GRCH GRNTCH PR Rat Attack NTCH CH PR Jacob’s Hardwood Sashu GRNTCH PR Bama’s Late Round Hype GRNTCH GRCH PR Sorrells Mill Ck Sackett CH GRNTCH PR Rock River Sackett Jr GRNTCH PR Fosters Cindy GRNTCH GRCH PR Boone Valley Sadie GRNTCH PR Nocturnal Nailor GRNTCH PR Nocturnal Sadie GRNTCH PR Rusty’s Fancy

FOR SALE GRNTCH PR Wagers’ Stylish Lipper GRNTCHPR Hard Knockin Stylish Hayes GRNTCH PR Taylor’s Hardwood Dixie GRNTCH PR Ball’s Stylish Hickory Nut Harry GRNTCH CH PR Logan’s Wild Clover GRNTCHPR Schmersal’s Stylish Anna GRNTCH PR Korte’s Stylish Chirpee GANTCH PR Turpin’s Stylish Rube GRNTCH PR Rock River Sackett CH GRNTCH PR Rock River Sackett, Jr GRNTCH PR Skean’s Dolly GRCH GRNTCH PR Night Heat Abby GRNTCH CH PR Hicountry’s Nite Heat GRNTCHPR Night-Heat Diode GRNTCH PR Lone Pine Patches PRTIMBERVIEW’S STYLISH RUBY GRNTCH PR Wagers’ Stylish Lipper GRNTCH PR Hard Knockin Stylish Hayes GRNTCH PR Taylor’s Hardwood Dixie GRNTCH PR Ball’s Stylish Hickory Nut Harry GRNTCH CH PR Logan’s Wild Clover GRNTCHPR Schmersal’s Stylish Anna GRNTCH PR Korte’s Stylish Chirpee GRNTCH GRCH PR Harry’s Stylish Raven WLDNTCH GRNTCH PR GRCH PRX Jr. GRNTCH PR Turpin’s Insane Cain WLD NTCH GRNTCH PR Bolden And Turpin’s Insane Jane GRCH GRNTCH PR Insane Wenty GRNTCH PR Nocturnal Nailor GRNTCH PR Nailor’s Hurricane Jane GRCH GRNTCH PR Waltz’ Hurricane Jane

For More Information Call Rick Travis 801-916-6161 American Fork, UT

Give the Gift of a Subscription This Season! While you await the next issues mailing, a card is shipped to your recipient, letting them know you've ordered a subscription for them that will begin soon! With this gift, your recipient can enjoy the anticipation of the exciting issues to come - the perfect present for the houndsman in your life!

SUBSCRIPTION FORM 1-year subscription 2-year subscription United States $36 USD $65 USD Canada $72 CAD $138 CAD

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Price includes delivery No refunds or partial refunds are provided on subcriptions Checks or money orders should be made out to: Full Cry Magazine

SUBSCRIPTION FORM 1-year subscription 2-year subscription United States $36 USD $65 USD Canada $72 CAD $138 CAD

Gift Subscription (check box)

I would like to subscribe to Full Cry for______________year(s)

To pay with credit card: call 1-866-FULL-CRY or visit www.FullCryMag.com

Price includes delivery No refunds or partial refunds are provided on subcriptions Checks or money orders should be made out to: Full Cry Magazine

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

News & Views American Black & Tan Association

Have not heard anything from the association. But your dues will be running out in December. So don't forget to renew them. My old Hunzicker female was bred today hope she has at least one or two pups. She is ai’d off of Gripper. Well guess that's about it for now. Remember Pack It In Pack It Out.

Your western B&T Hunter, Tim Sizemore

American Leopard Cur Blue Ridge Section Henry Harris 111 Hunters Trail Advance NC 27006 336-998-5389

Here it is the last of September. The weather has been hot here but it has been cool for a few days now. I hope the 100 degree days are behind us. When you read this, I hope to be getting better. I am going to have back surgery next week. I have been dealing with it for about eight months now. Hope to get some relief soon. Not much going on for the last four months. Now that Full Cry is starting back up maybe things will pick back up. Hello from the west. Our weather has been warm but my wood pile looks for this time of year. Received bad news saturday morning. My good friend and fellow Black & Tan man, Mr. Buck Brown from Weston Wv. , passed friday night. He had a dog named Smoke out of my Dolly and Alan Whites Cadillac dog. Everyone of those dogs were above average.

I want to thank the Duby family for buying Full Cry. Full Cry Magazine is the life for the small clubs that are trying to let the coon world know what is going on in the state. If it was not for Full Cry publishing, the small club would be extinct today. So let’s support the Full Cry where we can. I talked to the Duby’s and they are going to work with the club where they can.

The March hunt will be the 8th and 9th of March at the Yadkin River Coon Club at 870 Wind Chime Ct. in Lexington NC 27295. The Yadkin River Club started about 1973 at the same place! The people that have attended hunts for the Blue Ridge Club really like the

Buck would always say those nightrider dogs were the best kept secret in the Black and Tan world. He was full of knowledge on the old strain of black dogs. We hunted two years at Black and Tan days and treed coons every night. He sure taught me a lot on line-breeding and keeping this old stock of hounds. I will sure miss talking to him, he would always say you have a good one at the end of our conversation. He was 84. Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

Now on to the Blue Ridge Club. We are going to support Full Cry with an article and an ad in Full Cry. The magazine article will be future publishing’s with our ads.

place. The Blue Ridge Club is the third club that has been in North Carolina for the Lepard dogs, the �irst club started in the fall of 1961.

Now if you want to go in the Blue Ridge Club for 2024, send me $20 for the dues to the club. We have members at the Blue Ridge Club that were members from the �irst club. If you want more information about the club call me Until next time, Henry

American Plott Association News and Views John R. Jackson 1103 Tom Jackson Road Boone, NC 28607

"Gary Bowen and Coco: Winner of the one-dog coon treeing contest at the APA hog bay at Hickory Crossings

Good day Plott enthusiasts everywhere! Here's hoping you and yours and the Plotts, too, are doing well. Hunting season has opened here in western North Carolina, and based on last year's record bear har-

vest, the future looks very promising. Bears seem to be appearing everywhere. In fact, my son-in-law's deer bait has been hit a time or two. They don't seem to be steadily coming, which tells me different bears are arriving at different times to check things out. There seems to be a host of other game, too. Bobcats, coyotes, deer-of course raccoons, all sorts of squirrels, and even a red fox have been photographed by his cameras. Indications such as these speak of a healthy wildlife population. Honestly, I never dreamed that the day would arrive that we'd be seeing bears so frequently in my community. I am sure you have enjoyed your newest edition of the re-vamped Full Cry.

Thank Jason and Dani Duby for undertaking the Herculean task of keeping this �ine houndsmen's magazine going. Full Cry has been such an integral part of our lives as hound enthusiasts and hunters, it would be downright depressing to see it go by the wayside. For the American Plott Association, it has been a much welcomed mode of communication, and from an organizational standpoint, it has been greatly relied upon to keep our members up to date concerning deadlines and upcoming events. Again, I thank the Duby’s for their efforts in meeting the needs of those who hunt with hounds and providing a wealth of interesting material to read and enjoy.

For those who are concerned about the delay in our yearbook, simply allow me to say that things are beginning to fall into place. As you may already know, due to an unexpected lapse in time, APA is going to combine both the 2022 and 2023 yearbooks together into one publication. I am told that the 2022 materials are already in the hands of the publisher, and from what I gather, things are going well for the '23 edition as well. I thank Tricia Butler, Sara Meinert, and Lisa Johnson for stepping up and getting things started. Lisa has recently texted me saying that the ballots for our upcoming of�icer, board members, and special awards election will soon be on the way. Here's hoping that everyone will take part in determining who will be our upcoming of�icers and board members, as well as those dogs and individuals who might be honored at Breed Days. With a new season up and going, I, of course, look forward to what may lie ahead, but I also look back with a thankful eye for what I have experienced in the past. I thank God for these good and precious memories. Indian Hills Lucky is one Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

of those memories. Lucky was a truly outstanding dog owned by my hunting friend and partner, Alen Smith. Lucky died unexpectedly. He wasn't all that old, really just entering in his hunting prime-cancer brought him down, and, after diagnosis, euthanizing him was the only recourse. He was what I call hightan in color, an energetic, talented tree dog that always ran at the head of the pack and was �irst at the tree. Why the truly good ones always die too soon, I don't know. During this last season, I saw Lucky was doing something I hadn't noticed before. He was claiming the bear; actually, he was "telegraphing" that the bear, once harvested, belonged to him. He did this rather subtly, standing close to the bear, even lying down beside it and resting his head upon it. Then on other occasions, when other pack members came too close, he growled lowly as if to forewarn they were trespassing. There was never a �ight, just a warning, and pack mates seemed to oblige Lucky's claim to the bear.

Lucky's claim to the bear reminds me much of a truly great dog of the past owned by Vaughn Plott, Plott's Blackie. Blackie, too, claimed the bear. C.E. "Bud" Lyon wrote an outstanding article about Blackie appearing in the 2009 NPHA yearbook which spoke highly of the qualities of this famed beardog. He described her as "coal black with only a trace of brindle on her legs and underbody" with a coat that was "heavy and coarse." She was "well built ... with long legs, good feet, [and] a deep chest," weighing "�ifty-�ive pounds in running shape." She always made for the front of the pack and on long races when other dogs had dropped out, she was the last dog remaining. Lyon relates that Blackie was bred yearly, producing eight litters. The sires of these litters read like a Plotts' hall of fame-Plott's Hobo, Haywood Red, Plott's Link, and Plott's Big John. Interestingly, Haywood Red was a buckskin; color wasn't a problem for Plott. In fact, he was angered with NPHA's and UKC's decision to omit buckskins from registration and opted for NCA recognition instead. Lyon states that out of 51 pups, only seven were UKC registered.

Blackie was out of Plott's Trail X Plott's Rush, and reading her pedigree was even more impressive-Dan, Fanny, Hazelwood Jap and Betty, Buck and Lady Plott, Plott's Rock and Pistol Packing Mama, among impressive others. She even went farther back to Gola Ferguson's "Two Five Star Generals," Boss and Tige, carried the Blevins cross, and had not too-distant ancestors who participated in the famed Branch Ricky hunt of 1935. 82

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

I'm perhaps going the long way around, but Blackie liked her bear and often claimed it. As I understand, she frequently climbed atop it, and not everyone could remove her. What I am getting at is this: Plotts once carried a well founded reputation for being aggressive and mean. I recently talked with a young man whom I had taught a few years back. He, too, was interested in Plotts. He described the baying actions of some of his dogs when facing a coon. They were dancing around, barking loudly and frequently, he told me, apparently not actually catching the raccoon. I didn't say anything but thought, now those Plotts should have made quick work of that coon. If they didn't, they would not be eating my dog food!

Actually, the hallmark of early Plotts was their aggressiveness and almost relentless pressure on game. They were mean as some old-timers would say. Taylor Crockett and "Cheyenne" Hill visited Vaughn Plott, and, while talking, "Cheyenne" simply turned and, somewhat behind his back, petted a black Plott that was tethered nearby. When Vaughn went to get his jacket (the trio was going to pay Herbert Plott a visit) Crockett grabbed Hill's arm telling him never to do that again. "What," Hill asked? Crockett said, ''That's Blackie, Vaughn's mean dog, and he doesn't want anyone doing that." Plott was contemplating breeding his bitches to a dog named Cu Joe owned by Clyde Neader. "Is he mean, 'Needum,"' Plott queried Neader? "Why, Uncle Vaughn, he's meaner than a snake!" Incidentally, the cross was made only once, and Plott passed a few hours before the litter arrived.

Howard Bolick once described witnessing a bear tree after Plott's dogs had put the bruin up. One member of the pack uttered an errant growl, and the result was not totally unexpected. Bolick related that was the "awfullest dog �ight he had ever seen in his life!"

Lastly, I'll say this: I know of two instances where entire litters were destroyed, and the cross was never made again-every pup in the litter turned out to be mean and entirely too aggressive. Raccoon hunters have "toned down" our breed in many respects. One can't have a growly dog while competing in a nite hunt. Unfortunately, in many instances, grit and intelligence have been sacri�iced. If there are those who like "a little gunpowder" in their dogs, then the big gamers who prefer such dogs are to be thanked.

Years have rolled by, and I am an old man now. But, when a youngster, I remember grouse hunters talking around an oil-burning stove at the local Gulf station. Not a single person owned a Plott, but they had heard of the breed's prowess, saying, "Those bear dogs are not the usual run of hounds we have around here!" You can imagine a young tenyear old's eyes lighting up as he listened attentively, catching every word those around him were saying about this strange breed of dog.

I have rambled far too long. I must stop. Before doing so, I thank "The Old Cat�ish," Mr. Brice Umstead for his many letters-what a good and wonderful person. I thank Jim Schwinefus and Alen Smith for their phone calls. I thank Tim Burch�ield for his calls and texts-he is of the "old school." I thank Chad and Tracy Woodruff for their texts and friendship. Thanks go to Bernie Walker for his calls and gift of photocopied materials. Proverbs 3:5-"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding." Until next time, good luck, good Plotting, and may God richly bless.

American Redbone Coonhound Association DAVE PELZER 8646 245th ST ST CLOUD MN 56301 pelzpuppypalace@gmail.com or 320-250-5499

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone. Hope you, as they say, “Never forget the reason for the season.”

This past month I got another call from a gentleman, Orland Shonen(sp), wanting to know what happened to “his magazine?” He’s 91 and was enjoying the column in the Cooner and I hope I was able to help out with the contract info for the Coonhound Bloodlines and Full Cry magazines. We had a nice visit and he told me a few years back he sold all his skinning and tanning equipment and just enjoys the stories now. He had hunted most of the breeds and had good and bad in them all. Said he wouldn’t hunt what’s winning the hunts today and he doesn’t call them real coonhounds. He named a few of the big-time breeders he got to hunt with years ago and meeting Mrs. Walker of Full Cry. It

sure was a nice visit and history lesson. Thanks for the call. Talk this month on the message board was with the TOC being run on Easter weekend next year and that some will not be giving up their family time to attend. As of this writing I have not seen if there will be any changes to that date?

My friend told me a little story of one of his hunts this fall. He gets permission from a farmer to hunt on his land and his son lives on a farm across from one of the �ields so he always stops to let the wife know that he’s going to be hunting. The �irst time he stopped, their little son answered the door. Maybe 4 or 5 and the little guy has a bit of a speech problem, but my friend took his time with him and asked if his mom was home to which he said she was upstairs. Friend was nervous not talking to mom but he told him that he was going to be in the corn�ield across the road. The next night when he stopped the little boy saw him out the window and ran and got his mom and when the door opened, she said that he was all excited because “the hunter” was back. She told my friend that he was her son's hero and that’s all he talked about. Well, my friend took a video of his hound treeing a raccoon up in the tree and stopped on his way home and played it for the young boy to see. All I know is that when the young boy closed the door, my friend said he had the biggest smile on his face he had ever seen. Did hear from the Utah and Missouri hunters this past month and it sounds like the Reds have gotten under a few with more in the future.

Also have been in contract with Bruce Conkey talking hounds and hunting. Lot's of great suppliers out there for us hound people, but don't overlook his web site and the support he and many of the others do for us all.

As I write this the end of October, been hitting the woods with our new hound, Chance. Been having fun hunting a Redbone that knows what he was bred to do. He’s still learning but at least he has heart and drive. The two things I know in 68 years of following hounds you CANNOT train.

I also just got off the phone with a guy who just came back from elk hunting out west. Fresh snow out there with few elk tracks but lots of wolves. Didn’t �ire a shot and had a tough drive back to MN with lots of ice. With the forecast for snow and cold I’m heading out to freshen up the bedding and turn on the hot water to the outside faucet for feeding milk replacer for the winter.

Don't forget your Redbook ads and Lindsay is here to help. Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Until next month remember what Mae West said, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ARCA Days June 5th-8th, 2024 Cole Camp MO

Please check your memberships and your last book to be sure that your address and phone numbers are correct. Thank you.

Send your dues to Secretary/Treasurer Sheila Lewis, 58 Lewis Road, Gates TN 38037 or if you have questions, her number is 731-413-9484 OR you can pay on line by going to American Redbone Coonhound Association on FaceBook or the web site www.archa. us

Dues for the American Redbone Coonhound Association are: $20/ 1 year single or family $50/ 3 years

$500/ Lifetime membership. $10 per year credit will be given for previously paid dues.

Redbook Editor: Lindsay Morrow 7030 N Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71107 Phone 919-414-1034 Email ARCA.Redbook@gmail.com Hunt Chairman: Jeff Young 11567 Farmhill Dr, Fenton, MI 48430

If your club wants to put on a hunt for the association, please give Jeff Young a call at 248-207-6430 or e-mail Jeffrey-young@sbcglobal.net

American Treeing Feist Association Nicolas Gipson

Since the last time that I had the privilege to speak to you the American Treeing Feist Association has started their competitive season. The �irst hunt was initiated on September 30th , in Missouri with a total of 19 dogs showing up and a tense competitive drive. I can only speak for my own cast, but it did seem that these dogs were anticipating the �irst hunt just like we all were. Now every time that this group of guys… and gals, get together we have to be fed. So, I would like to personally thank the Pine Bardley Fire Department where we met for hosting and feeding all of us. Now for the hunt results. 84

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

Morning Hunt 1st place Pine Belt Peanut Butter with Lee Balliet & Billy Yawn

1st

2nd 3rd 4th 5th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Morning Hunt Dog Handler Plus Points Pine Belt Lee Balliet/ Peanut Butter Bill Yawn 737.5 Coles Dixie Chad West 625 Clint’s Max Joe Melancon 625 Coles Fiddle Ryan Coles 600 Hub City Rufus Keith Mitchell 525 Evening Hunt Dog Handler Plus Points Coles Toby Todd Coles 1000 Caubble’s Jeff Caubble 775 Blazn Bandit Pine Belt Lee Balliet 725 Peanut Butter JBC’s Scalded Nicolas 625 Copper Gipson Coles Dixie Chad West 550

Evening Hunt 1st Place Coles Toby with Todd Coles

Now with the weather reaching in the upper 90’s for the evening hunt I am highly surprised that these dogs were able to tree anything, but that just goes to show the shear caliber of breeding and training that goes into these animals. These breeders take a lot of pride in the dogs that they hunt and by what I heard from the entire group, each person was fairly happy with their cast, the event, the food, and the company. We are looking forward now to the upcoming hunts. By the time that you read this we will have already had the Tennessee Regional hunt held in Whitwell, TN, on November the 18th. I hope you readers if you are interested in coming out to join us on our next hunts you will have multiple opportunities to on these dates.

California Houndsmen for Conservation Lori Jacobs President

Well I guess I will try my hand at this article thing because I feel that CHC should be represented in one of the best hound magazines there is. I haven't subscribed to Full Cry for many years and was so glad to see who the new editor was going to be. I know that Dani will do amazing and I will be waiting for every issue.

December 2nd Arkansas Regional - Searcy, Arkansas

January 20th Herschel Coxwell Winter Classic - Gray, Georgia February 3rd Winter Rally Hunt Montrose, Mississippi

March 8th Kentucky Regional - Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky March 9th Bob Wallace Memorial Rally - Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky

We hope to see you at one of these hunts but until then “Hunt Hard and Stay Treed!”

President Lori Jacobs with Vice President Michael Ewing and Board member Eddie Patterson

Hudson Barron and Jim Dandy Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

We recently put on a dinner in Tulare, CA., this is the furthest south we have ever gone and the �irst time we have ever had three dinners in one year. The crowd wasn't huge but it was a very successful dinner, I was very pleased with the outcome. The three main people who were a huge part of this success and made sure it went off without a hitch were, Randy Marquez, Eddie Patterson and Michael Ewing. They did an amazing job making sure everything was in order.

Idaho Houndsmen Association Greetings from Idaho!

Our 2023 Bear season has come to an end and some of us are gearing up and looking forward to cat season! This year seems as if it �lew by! IHA held our annual Water trials in August, which was as usual, a great time. Congratulations to all our winners. 2023 IDAHO HOUNDSMEN WATER TRIAL RESULTS

IRON DOG HANDLER DREW WHITNEY LEVI BACHMANN

1 PLACE 2ND PLACE ST

DOG KATY MONEY

TREE CONTEST HANDLER DOG ST 1 PLACE JOHN EDMONDSON BO (49 BARKS) 2ND PLACE STEVE JOHNSON RAMBO (41 BARKS)

PUPPY TREE CONTEST HANDLER DOG ST 1 PLACE LEVI BACHMANN ESTELLE (56 BARKS) 2ND PLACE CHARLOTTE POPPZ RUBY (38 BARKS) (YOUTH) HANDLERS RACE HANDLER TREVOR TODD

I have been the President for California Houndsmen for quite a few years now. There are times when it gets very frustrating and people ask why I keep doing what I do, so let me tell you. I have some of the greatest people working with me right now with of�icers and Board members, they really want to try to help make a difference. We all know that it is an uphill battle in this State but someone has to keep �ighting and I am not one to give up. I don't do what I do for the older generations but I would love for the younger generations to be able to legally appreciate our sport someday, therefore I will continue to �ight for the youth and our four-legged friends. Keep those kids and dogs in the woods! Lori 86

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

DOG FERN

YOUTH HANDLERS RACE HANDLER DOG LUKE KIDD OAKLEY OLD DOG RACE

1 LINE/2 TREE 2ND LINE/1ST TREE ST

SENIOR FINAL

1 LINE/1 TREE 2ND LINE/1ST TREE ST

JR FINAL

1 LINE/1 TREE 2ND LINE/1ST TREE ST

HANDLER DOG BLAKE (YOUTH) CASH JOHN EDMONDSON PEPPER HANDLER DREW WHITNEY KATELYNN KIDD (YOUTH)

DOG GRIZ HANK

HANDLER DOG JOHN EDMONDSON RUSTY CURTIS KIDD STICH

YOUTH FINAL 1 LINE/1 TREE 2ND LINE/1ST TREE ST

3 DOG PACK RACE 1.23.08 HANDLER KATELYNN KIDD WOODROW HANDLER CURTIS KIDD

HANDLER WESTEN HAINES KINSLY

BENCH SHOW BEST IN SHOW HANDLER CAMERON MARK PUPPY HANDLER KINSLY MCCLAMONT KINSLY MCCLAMONT

DOG NITRO TRAPPER

DOG HANK

DOG STICH DOG CHOPPER (BLUETICK) PUPPY PUPPY #1 PUPPY #2

We are looking forward to next year. On that note, please know that we will be having our annual banquet in March and our annual spring �ield trials in April and would love to have you join us. Please watch for announcements or contact us as we near those months for exact dates.

In October, Idaho Department of Fish and Game initiated negotiated rulemaking to comply with Governor Little’s Executive Order for Zero-Based Regulation. IDFG proposed changes to sections of the rule governing the use of dogs. The idea behind it was to “simplify” the wording. Despite their attempt to simplify it, the new write up only caused more confusion and created a lot of concern throughout the hound and bird dog community. We immediately contacted IDFG and voiced our concern, sharing with them how the new proposal would ultimately and inevitably change our future use of dogs in Idaho and requested changes to be made to the new proposed rules. They reassured us that there was no intention of changing our use of dogs and that the current use of dogs is to remain intact. With that they accommodated us and rewrote the proposal as being very close to the original. It will be presented to the Fish and Game Commission in November. I know the last time I wrote to you guys it was before bear season and I stated that perhaps in my next article I would have a big bad bear story for you all. Although we had a great season and many mem-

orable hunts, I’m sorry I don’t have any really thrilling hunts to share, most of the bears this fall were very docile. That being said I do have a story that I feel is worth sharing with you all.

My son Luke is 15 years old and lives and breathes hounds. He is the real deal of our future Houndsmen and of course he has his own dogs. This fall he was over the top excited that a friend of ours had a brand-new Can-Am. Luke didn’t waste any time in talking our friend into putting a dog box in it to haul him and his hounds. The gentlemen, being a lover of hounds himself, happily agreed and when the weekend came around, they hit the road loaded down with Lukes three dogs – Blitz, Oakely and Gern. We planned to split up and cover more roads, so our friend and Luke took a sperate road that would eventually join up with my husband and I. Not long after we started rigging dogs, Luke called us on the radio and said that he had just turned his two dogs, Blitz and Oakley, loose on a bear and they were headed our way. We zipped up the canyon to see if we could hear them. Meanwhile Luke was back on the radio hollering at his dad and I to hurry up because he had, and I quote, “a heck of a race going!”. We pulled up on a point and shut our trucks off. Sure enough, he did have one heck of a race going.

Driving that bear down canyon across from us was Blitz and Oakely cackling as hard as they could, both in their short high pitched running dog chops. Part of me wanted to turn more dogs into them, but part of me also wanted to hold back, because I knew his dogs had it handled and they could tree it without any help from Dad and Moms dogs. Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

(I did turn my pup in behind them though) Lukes dogs ran that bear all out, every breath for about 45 minutes until they �inally treed the little bugger 80 yards off the road. We all drove around and walked to the tree, where our boy had the biggest smile on his face and was just so proud of his dogs as were his Dad and I, not to mention his sister, his Grammie, and our good friend that had become Lukes new chauffer for the season. We couldn’t have been any prouder of that boy and his dogs! One week later Luke’s dog Blitz became severely ill will a bacterial infection. We got her to the vet as soon as we could. The vet was able to stabilize her and we were able to bring her home a couple days later. Unfortunately, she took a turn for the worst and we had to rush her back to the vet. The next morning, while on my way to work, the vet called and noti�ied me that Blitz had succumbed to her infection and that we lost her. I called my husband and told him, he said that he would call our boy and let him know that Blitz was gone. I wanted nothing more than to be able to go back home and hold my boy as I knew how bad he would be grieving the loss of his dog. Later my husband shared with me that having to tell Luke about Bitz was the hardest thing he ever had to do. Our good friend built a beautiful wooden cross for Luke to place on her grave site. Saying goodbye is the hardest thing Luke ever had to face in his �ive years of owning Blitz, but boy what a memorable last hunt he had with her. Blitz was an exceptional, no quit bear dog as well as an exceptional cat dog. She will be forever loved and missed.

NC&FBA held 2023 NC&FBA NKC World Hunt on Saturday October 28, 2023. We had a good turn out and it was wonderful to see everyone. It was a great group and good dogs.

Friday October 27, 2023 Elnora Outdoor Club held their Appreciation hunt. Congratulations to Sharon Moore for being selected for the Award.

Sharon is well deserving of the award and does a lot of work for the Elnora Outdoor Club. She does a lot of things that nobody sees or probably even thinks about. Elnora Outdoor is very fortunate to have such a hard working and dedicated Of�icer/member. Thank you, Sharon for all you do, we greatly appreciate you.

The Annual Association meeting was held on Friday evening. There were some changes voted on and should be included in the end of the year newsletter. Paid members should receive the newsletter. Membership has changed effective January 1, 2024. Individual will be $25.00 Husband/wife team $30.00 and family $35.00. A family consists of Husband/ Wife and their children under the age of 18 and still living at home.

The end of the year will be here before we know it. Thanksgiving and Christmas will come and go in a blink of an eye. Results of the 2023 NC&FBA NKC World Hunt are as follows:

I wish you all the best and good luck this winter to you and your dogs! Rachael Kidd

NATIONAL CUR AND FEIST BREEDERS ASSOCIATION Kelly Thomas Portteus 713 East Sycamore Jasonville, Indiana 47438 (812) 798-1606

Hello to all of you out there in the tree dog world. I hope this �inds everyone safe and well.

The weather has certainly changed and now feels like fall and it gets dark much earlier now. 88

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

Squirrel Champion Jukebox Siri - Chuck Gaietto/Ron Smith

Reserve Squirrel Champion Taylor’s Ridge Gabby - Clayton Brown / Darren Allgood

2023 NC&FBA NKC Nite Hunt Results:

Squirrel 3rd place Pleasant Home Storm - Josh & Audra Perkins

Squirrel 4th place Team Xtreme Slick Fiddy - Joey Poston/Richie Bean Squirrel 5th place Plante’s Rippin Robber - Vance & Anna Plante Squirrel 6th place Saunders Ozark Witch - John Saunders

Squirrel 7th place Pleasant Home Pearl - Audra & Josh Perkins Squirrel 8th place Crow’s Nimrod - Derek Crow

Squirrel 9th place Red River Jewels - Duane/Lanna Milton

Squirrel 10th place Rock Creek Mandy - George Danielson/Zack Wilcox 2023 NC&FBA NKC World Bench Results:

Nite Champion Crow’s Super Black Jetta - Derek Crow Reserve Nite Champion King’s Cowboy - Roger King

Nite 3rd place Ridge Runnin Gun - Thomas Bacon

2023 NC&FBA NKC Combination dog:

King’s Cowboy - Roger King

Thank to everyone that was able to come out and hunt or just come to support the event. We greatly appreciation you all.

Thank you to Chris Gerth, Brair Creek Kennels, for donating the dog food. Thank you to Dog & Hunt Supply for donating items for raf�le/auction.

Best Overall Gamble’s Burley - Lee Roy Gamble Best Female of Show Plante’s Vanna - Anna Plante/ Vance Plante Best Male of Show Bay’s Musa - Rob Bay

Thank you to kitchen staff, guides, judges, to Elnora Outdoor, and anyone that was involved in helping to make this a great hunt. As I close, as always, please those sick, injured, or in need in your prayers. Until the next article, Stay safe, take care.

Respectfully, Kelly Thomas Portteus

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Ozark Treeing Feist Association David Young Mulkeytown, IL. 618-927-2343

Hello everyone and hello Full Cry Magazine! I am glad Jason and Dani Duby took over the publishing of Full Cry to make it available to the public once again. I like the new look and appearance. On September 30th the Sesser Illinois Coon Club hosted the location for the Ozark Feists Gathering. I was disappointed in the turnout but those that came out had a good time, weather cooperated with us and things went well. The kitchen crew was out early to get breakfast ready for the hunters. We had one cast of Ozarks head to the woods.

The �irst woods we went to was a nice woods and private property, but the squirrels weren’t moving. We called time out and went to another and turned loose. Th action began. Bryan Anderson treed his dog Boomer and we seen the squirrel. Cobb Jaruis treed his dog Hickory Nut and had a squirrel and tied up the score. Jake Whimple treed his dog Ace, but couldn’t �ind the squirrel. It was a huge oak tree heavy with leaves. We only hunted an hour and a half. The last few minutes in the hunt, Cobb Jarius Treed Hickory Nut and we found the squirrel making Cobb the winner. We had a good hunt with good sportsmanship.

First Place in Hunt Best Male in Bench Show Hickory Nut - Cobb Jarvis 90

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

These Ozark Feist hunt with you and around you making good pleasure type squirrel dogs. They come in different colors but in this hunt all three dogs where black. The squirrel hunt was 1st place Cobb Jaruis, Royalton IL with Hickory Nut and 2nd place Bryan Anderson Creal Springs IL with Boomer. Bench show winners were Hickory Nut/Cobb Jaruis Royalton IL for Best Male and Youngs Ozark Jo Jo/ David Young Mulkeytown IL for best Female. Our treeing contest winner was Bryan Anderson with Boomer of Creal Springs IL.

Best Overall & Female in Show Youngs Ozark JoJo - David Young

I want to thank all who helped in the get together. Thank you to the Sesser Club, Greg Caine for donating the barbecue and others. Thanks to the owners of Joy dog food for their donations to this event. Thanks Wade Gasawich, his son Skyler of Pickneville, Ill. Special thanks to Butch Franey of Tamaroe, Ill for helping me out also. The Joy dog food was much appreciated. The winners like it also.

Second in Hunt Treeing Contest Winner Boomer - Bryan Anderson

United Mountain Feist Association

The Hound Hunting Athlete Teddy Simpkins

The bond between dog and man is as ancient as it is magni�icent. Thousands of years ago your hound descended from wolves. Wrap your mind around that. Yet that bond has been growing stronger with each generation. Their loyalty to humans has greatly helped our species move forward. They helped our ancestors get food, move from place to place, warn of impending attacks and offer their companionship.

UMFA Overall Hunt Champion

United Mountain Feist Association would like to thank everyone that attended United Mountain Feist Days. We couldn't do this without you all. What a great hunt we had 16 dogs in am and 5 dogs in the show and 14 in pm we had great time hope you all did as well the support we have had in a very short amount of time means a lot we are doing all we can do to make Mountain Feist great again it's something special when a group like this gets together with laughter and jokes and making memories it feels like a big family reunion that means something so if you haven't ever attended a hunt and little nervous come on out you will change your mind.

UMFA Reserve Champion

UMFA Bench

I often refer to my hunts in the mountains alone as “alone time”. Thinking about this more in depth I realize that I’m not alone at all. It’s the partnership of my hounds that puts me in those mountains. I don’t know that I’d even be there if not for the hounds. Although I enjoy hunting in general, I’m there because of the dogs. By being there in nature at night, I’ve had some of the best and most helpful talks with God. It’s my belief that if you know how to listen, he talks back. But any quiet time and any soul searching can at any moment be interrupted by the beautiful chaos of the hounds.

The bond between dog and man is as important and useful today as it has ever been. Police dogs, drug dogs, cadaver dogs and service dogs are important to our society. Hunting dogs, for a time, seemed to be the low hanging fruit. Yet I have noticed a resurgence in hounds and a growing acceptance in the general public. I feel that during the pandemic hunting for food gained quite a large uptick. Shows on YouTube and Net�lix began showing the bene�its of hunting. Add that with social media and magazines such as the one you are reading, and you can very easily see where all the good work is being done. Yet there is much more we need to do. And hunters should be careful to let their guard down and be ever aware of the threat of the opposition, or the anti-hunter. My bond with my hounds over the years has shaped and molded me in many different ways. In a sense, I guess they have trained me. I have quite bad posture and I blame it on hunting with dogs. All those long nights looking for tracks have led me, if I don’t consciously correct it, to walk slightly slumped over as if I’m searching for something on the ground. And whether they know it or not, my kids bene�it from my time spent training dogs. The positive reward system I picked up from the hounds can be applied to children. Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Have you ever owned that once in a lifetime type of hound in which the bond is so strong you can absolutely read each other's body language and energy? Most common hunting dogs are predictable. You know what they will do in certain given situations. Yet I have owned just a few that I felt I knew nearly their every intent. Just by intelligence and repetition over time it was almost like they could read my body language and knew what I wanted them to do or where to hunt. I could almost always tell what they would do next. That’s a special bond you won’t experience much and I feel fortunate to have had a few dogs like that.

With every new generation the world of hound hunting changes, just like anything and everything else. But I wonder what those early hunts looked like? The early foxhounds imported from Europe that would occasionally get treed. Or the cur type dogs that the Native Americans used to catch game with. Or even further back, what would a dog and hunter have looked like in early pre-history, when the dog wasn’t yet so far descended from the wolf? With a bond so ancient and strong it is as much a right to hunt with a dog as it is any other method. Keep those hounds in the woods and keep the bond strong.

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

Buckley Farm Kennels Steve Buckley 606-226-0481

Hello dear friends and top of the day to you! This is our second article in the new owned Full Cry and it is October 2023. The staff have decided for now to have the magazine printed 6 times a year so you will read this in December most likely. We are happy to still contribute a little and talk about our Buckley Mountain Feist.

We have only made one good hunt this season with our young dog Buck we started last year. He did quite well his �irst season and he treed us a huge amount of squirrels. He quickly became a yearling squirrel dog deluxe and will turn two this December. We plan to hunt him hard and he did a good job when we unsnapped him a few days ago. The squirrels were cutting nuts in the trees but he still managed to see and wind several. We harvested 5 of the 10 or so that he treed and was happy to see Buck had not lost his touch after being kenneled through the summer. We have a couple pups we plan to hunt and excited to see how they progress.

To some squirrel dogs don’t make sense, they are not fashionable or glamorous. They are not in photos for game magazines or sporting stores. Most men that own or hunt them dress in jeans and not directly out of a Cabela’s catalog. However to those of us who grew up with them it is a family tradition and they are a passion for us. I remember being a rambunctious �ive-year-old the �irst time Dad took me with one of our Buckley Mountain Feist, that was 51 years ago. Watching ole Pal work back in the 70’s and watching Dad follow him is always vivid in my mind. Dad usually wore Dickies work pants, and army camou�lage shirt when he hunted. We didn’t have trackers or collars, just a good mouthed Buckley Mountain Feist that we could hear, Dad called it “Mountain Music”. All these years later as I quickly age and get closer to the end, I still am crazy about following my dogs. They are my passion and something I put a great deal of thought, work and pleasure in. There is a lot to a kennel and reproducing pups that carry on the genes and desired traits one wants.

By the time you read this we will be deep into the 2023 squirrel season and will have harvested a right many squirrels for the freezer. We intend on hunting our dogs very hard and pushing them to the extreme. Hopefully by December we will have the two young pups started and if so will begin to concentrate mostly on them. Soon we will lock the dog box in the truck and it will not come out till season end.

We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and most of all a Merry Christmas! Hope to see you in the woods.

burns more energy just staying warm. And if the dog is also hunting 4 or 5 days a week, it will need much more energy than it would if it were running in the summer. The protein and vitamin/mineral requirements might be similar, but the amount of fat can be increased according to the dog’s condition. Up here in Canada, we aim to keep good condition on a dog through the hardest part of the season, so that if/ when they get lost, and end up out in the woods for a few days and nights, they have enough constitution to keep �it and �ind their way back home or back to the place that we turned loose from. Turbo is a female that was born late October last year, so she missed out on hunting last season, and instead started her career working hogs and cattle on the farm. She has an excellent handle for a young dog, and is lightning fast to get to work, and to obey commands. She will chase and bay a large hog, but soon learned to ignore the young piglets that were allowed to scamper around the farm yard.

Take and see how good the Lord is! The one who takes refuge in him is truly happy. PSALM 34:8

Turbo has recently started hunting raccoon and squirrel, and has shown that she has tremendous track speed, but not as strong on the tree, however, it is coming out of her, as she started speaking at the last few coon trees. I ran her several nights with Murphy, and they worked well, treeing several coon, most notably a large sow that they located by winding, in overgrown orchard. The other older dogs have been warming up with 3 evenings of coon hunting per week, and 3 daytime hunts. They are starting to look and �it.

Highland Tree Dogs By Micky Siddle

The fall season is upon us here as I write this article, and the vibrant colors of the hills and wild places are a bonny sight indeed. At this time of year, the dogs work-rate starts to increase rapidly. Farm work has been steady through the summer months, from protecting the livestock to moving cattle, baying a hog, and catching varmints around the place.

The large chest freezer that I have for raw dog food, is full to the brim with beef and moose scraps, courtesy of our local butcher. I have fed a raw diet to my hunting dogs for 35 years, as I �ind that the dogs perform much better on it, especially in times of extremely hard running through the winter. You can easily adjust the ratios of particular ingredients to suit the dog’s needs. For example, in winter, a dog

Turbo and Murphy with a big 30lb sow coon that they located by wind scent alone. Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

started themselves on snowshoe hares. The snowshoe hare will run in a similar fashion to a jumped bobcat, and in the same type of terrain. In our neck o’ the woods, the hares live in the spruce or balsam �ir thickets, or in regenerating clear-cuts. Whatever the cover, it's always thick! And for a pup, the hare can provide a great learning experience, in preparation for moving on to bobcat. It will be interesting to see how these two pups make out when started on bobcat, without much previous tracking experience on other game. As I sit and type this article, the �irst wet snows of winter are blowing in. I sit and wonder about the season ahead. If you suffer from this same curse, then I bet that you have also been dreaming of cat tracks for quite some time already and can’t wait to get after some! Turbo and Murphy with a big 30lb sow coon that they located by wind scent alone.

Other than fur, we like to get out and bag some birds, local tasty gamebirds include the ruffed grouse, which the dogs will �ind in thick woodland and either point, �lush or tree them. The dogs also point or �lush the odd woodcock in the fall season. Despite hundreds of pairs nesting on our land, they have mostly gone south by the time the season opens here. And we have several species of duck, most notably black duck, wood duck, mallard, and green-winged teal. When winter tightens its grip, only the hardy black duck is still found along the river, the rest have moved south, along with the geese that we get an occasional crack at. Having natural retrieving ability in my cur dogs, is essential, as is the double coat that insulates them while working through the icy winter months.

This summer’s pups are coming along well, and are treeing their own critters with gusto now each day in the exercise pen. They have done occasional retrieving training, and they both seem to have a head full of sense, and are calm and obedient. I was trying to decide whether to do some raccoon hunting with them or just hold out another 3 weeks, and start them straight on bobcats. I think I am going to wait for cat season with these two females. In previous years I have started some dogs on snowshoe hares. Or, more accurately, they 94

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

Well, no matter what game you're running, be safe out there this winter season. BE PREPARED always, and most of all, be thankful. I don’t have much money or fancy things, but I learned that being thankful for life's experiences, will make you rich in the best kind of way.

Hillis Ladner Black Mouth Curs Paul D Hillis PO BOX 248 SIMMS, TX 75574 1-903-543-2513 OR 903-276-9902 www.hillisblackmouthcurs.com

Hello from Northeast Texas where squirrel and coon hunting is at full steam. Over half the trucks we pass on the road have dog boxes in the back of them. How many of us hunters have ever had an encounter with a skunk while in the woods hunting? Boy I would love to hear all the stories I have always been told the best way to get skunk spray off of you and your dog is take a bath in tomato juice but here is another remedy that works as good: Mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide and Dawn. Hope you never need to use this but you never know what the next hunt holds.

I know we have a lot of hunters at this time of the year with young dogs that are just starting out, so I want to say just a little about GUN SHY DOGS. Pups are not born gun shy. Gun shyness is a man-made fault; added stress to an already stressful situation for the pup. Most nervous breakdowns in humans are not caused by stress itself, but by stress added to stress. IF a pup

and introduce him to the gun properly, then more times than not, your pup will end up Gun Shy.

There are many methods folks use to try and prevent young pups from becoming gun shy such as banging feed pans or shooting a cap gun while pup is eating, playing, or in some kind of positive situation. This is formally called “desensitizing” your pup or making him insensitive or less sensitive to noise. Timberland with a Hillis blackmouth cur puppy

is not properly socialized, IF he is not comfortable in the woods and he is afraid of a strange dog AND a pup has never heard a gunshot, then the last thing in the world that this pup needs to hear is a twelve-gauge shot gun exploding in his ear. It is not very hard to make a pup gun shy, Likewise, it is all so not very hard to prevent a pup from becoming gun shy. We all get excited when we get a new pup. Most folks cannot wait for squirrel season to open and take their pup to the woods with his buddy’s broke dog and shoot some game out to the pup thinking he will get all �ired-up and start treeing with the older dog. However, if you do not fool with your pup in the off season

Personally, I like to introduce my pups to the gun when they are bold and excited over game. When I am working a pup on game and he is treeing a caged squirrel or coon, I will shoot my .22 ri�le. The pup will soon associate gun �ire with game. This is the ultimate positive association for a young pup. Shoot one time the �irst day. 3 times on day two. 5 times on day three. If your pup acts ok with that then take him on a short hunt and kill 3 or 4 squirrels, with older dog if possible then each time hunt a little longer. I am not going to discuss methods to cure a gun-shy dog. I personally would not waste my time as it is almost impossible to cure “completely”. Just when you think pup is over the gun shyness, something weird will happen and you are right back where you started. Thanks for reading, Paul D Hillis

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

Classifieds/ eds/Obits Call for Pricing: 1-866-FULL-CRY

BLACK AND TAN COONHOUNDS UKC registered black and tan puppies. Parents used on bobcat coyote and coon. $100/piece. Bobcat and condog for sale 231-825-2085

FEIST AND CURS For Sale- Feist, OMCBA Mtn. Curs, Laikas. Pups, started, �inished. Text or Call 419-689-9635 or kevinghunt�ish@gmail.com. Squirreldogdynasty.com, Ashland, Ohio

For Sale Stephens Cur female. 2 1/2 years old. Excellent allaround dog. Runs coon cat fox bear and lion. For more information call Dave at 805-237-9214

MAJESTIC TREE HOUND LEARN ABOUT A SUPERIOR HOUND for hunting coon and big game. Free brochure includes history, breed standard and 14 photographs. Send self-addressed, stamped envelope to: National Majestic Treehound Association, 1011 West State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850

MIXED BREED For Sale - Redbone Treeing Feist X-Bred Pups. Born 9/12/23. Redbud Illinois Area. 618-779-4354 96

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

MISCELLANEOUS

TREEING WALKERS

West Coast Telemetry- Tag-ALong / Ride-A-Long Tracking collars. Mounts on GPC collars for $55. Battery replacement $35 for plastic case or $40 for acrylic. 1-800-833-8236 www.westcoasttelemetry.com

I am 86 years old. I have two walker hounds I would like to see get a good home. One is a blanket back and one is a spotted tri. 2 Full brothers, puppy papers. D.O.B. 3-14-16 Sire: Grnitech Ch. ‘PR’ Mr. Swamp Rat. Dam: ‘PR’ Pet’s Sty (573) 547-5634

For Sale- Evans dog boxes, Northeast Ohio, western Pennsylvania. Several Colors. Also have box pads. Call Ken Carnsew, Cortland, OH 330-637-5118

EDWARD "EDDIE" M. HICKS

For Sale- Memories of a Fox Huntin’ Terrier Man by Pete Bassani, 190 Urban Court Hawley, PA 18428. $17.25. A fun read.

Mearicle Solution- Simply, “The Best” Ear and skin solution is now available in ½ gallon re�ill size, (all sizes still available). Use it in the ears on canker, mites, yeast, or fungus; On the skin for cuts, tears, abrasions, wounds, hot spots, bug bites, crusty spots, etc. It works! Order yours today- online: www.mearicle.com or call Heather or John Hocker, Sierra Vista, AZ 520-303-6980

REDBONES TIMBER CHOPPER KENNELSRedbone hounds for coonhunting and big game for 30 years. Puppies and started dogs. Wayne Campbell, Campbell Springs farm, 1888 Old Buckingham road, Cumberland VA 23040 Email: wayne@ timberchopper.com website: www.timberchopper.com

Edward "Eddie" M. Hicks of Pratts-

ville, Ark. was born July 7, 1956 in

Malvern, the son of the late Bertha

Walker Hicks, his mother whom was so special and in�luential to

his life. He graduated from Poyen High School in 1974, followed by the marriage to his loving wife

Georgia in 1978. He was a member of Poyen Missionary Baptist Church, a member of PST Hunting

Club where so many knew him as "Hacksaw", RMR Hunting Club, and Toler Lake Hunting Club.

Eddie had a successful career in

sales for greater than 40 years. He enjoyed squirrel, deer, and coon hunting. He raised and trained West Siberian Laika hunting dogs. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, following them around to their activities, taking them on hunting trips, and just being with them. He also loved traveling/ hunting with family and friends to the mountains of Colorado as often as he could. Eddie was one of a kind and made a lasting impression on everyone he met. His greatest joy in life was his family and he loved those close to him �iercely. He held so many roles, including protector, con�idant, mentor, and trusted advisor. A special quality he held was forming deep and genuine friendships. His love of desserts was unmatched, especially apple pie and his mother's famous coconut cake. To say Eddie was sel�less, would be an understatement, and was known for doing for and taking care of others. Eddie passed away on Aug. 30, 2023 in Platte City, Mo. at the age of 67.

JUNIOR LASSETER

Junior Lasseter, one of the preeminent dual purpose hound breeder-promoters in Treeing walker history, died August 17th as the result of a highway accident near Blue Eye, Missouri. He was 73. One of the most prominent and successful show persons in coonhound history, Junior always thought part of a dog being pretty was their ability to put a raccoon on the end of a limb. Lasseter was a �ixture at local, regional, and national shows and hunts for many decades. He was the owner and/or handler of such walker hounds as Table Rock Flying Hawk, Biggerstaff's Little Buck, and Table Rock Mundar to name a few. Junior was a resident of Green Forest, Arkansas, and was born March 18,1950 in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas to Rev. Raymond (also a longtime houndsman) and Vivian Moore Lasseter. He was a member of the Green Forest Cowboy Church. Lasseter married Joan (Coffelt) Lasseter August 7, 1971 and she survives him. e is also survived by his children Jodi Hunt and her husband Jason of Green Forest, AR., Jared Lasseter, and his wife Sherry of Drumright, OK., Janae Lee and her husband Jay of Berryville, AR.; grandchildren Gentry Hunt and his wife Madison, Graydon Hunt and his wife Lindi, Justin Snyder and his wife Savannah, Jerrit Snyder and his wife Sammi, Jenna Booth and her husband Charlie, Alexis Shaw and her husband Russell, Dawson Lasseter and his wife Destiny; Grant Lee, Alyssa Lee, Aubrey Lee, Addison

1972 UKC King of The World Table Rock Flying Hawk. Owned and shown by Junior Lasseter Lee, Harper Lee; nine great great grandchildren; siblings Brenda Lasseter and signi�icant other David Waters, Gwenda Plummer and husband David; Tim Lasseter and wife Terry; and coon hunting friends from across the nation. He was preceded in death by his parents. In addition to coon hunting, Junior loved sports and was a big supporter of the Blue Eye Bulldogs and Berryville Bobcats. Services were held August 21st at the Church on the Hill in Berryville. Nelson Funeral Services of Berryville was in charge of arrangements.

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

THE OLE HOUND DOG'S SONG by Tara Cardinal As the Sun starts to set My mind starts to race In just a short time

We'll cut em hard on the chase The mountains will ring with the ole Hound dog's song

And the bandits will run nearly all the night long Until they head to the sky By a tree they call home As that hound closes in

Telling a tale with his song Like the dew on the vine,

and the old Hound dogs heart

The folks that chase wild things Are a whole world apart

With their yearning for the sport 98

Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

That runs through their veins

Thankfully the Coon, the Hound and the Hunter remains. So hang on to your roots, your boots, and those Hounds

It's a gift to see the forest from the true inside out

Teach a kid to see the beauty of the old ways of the Hunt

And hear the mountain music made by a Hound that they Love

So as the weather grows cold and the magic of Christmas comes near, Remember to give thanks for the family and Hounds we hold dear.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all

Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24 | Full Cry

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DECEMBER 2023

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