Full Cry Magazine February/March '24

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Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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ANNOUNCEMENTS Published Bi-Monthly for the Coonhound & Treedog Enthusiast

EDITOR Dani Duby

dani@fullcrymag.com

We are looking to plan out all our Covers for the year.

If you have a high-resolution photo with a great story behind it and would like to be considered, please send us an email or give us a call to discuss!

ADVERTISING Jason Duby

Please note: at this time we are only accepting covers that have an accompanying story. We also are NOT selling cover photos for advertising.

GRAPHIC DESIGN Jaren Hobson

Please send submission photo and a summary of the story idea to dani@fullcrymag.com

jason@fullcrymag.com

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 @FullCryMag @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

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Full Cry | Dec ‘23 / Jan ‘24

APRIL/MAY........................................... 3/1/24 JUNE/JULY............................................ 5/1/24 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER.......................... 7/1/24 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER......................8/30/24 DECEMBER/JANUARY.......................11/1/24

Cody King walking behind dogs in pursuit of a leopard in Africa.

Photo by Scott Allan

CONTENTS

VOL. 86 NO. 1 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2024

COVER STORY

08 08 In Pursuit of

Panthera Pardus Hunting Dogs Across Continents and Cultures

by Scott Allan

14 "Devil Anse" Hatfield: Bear Hunter

The Lesser-Known Legacy of Appalachia's Hatfield Patriarch

by Teddy Simpkins

18 Nobody Gets That Lucky Perspective on Skill, Preparation, and Success in the Field

by Chris Powell

22 Train Hounds

Like a Kid Again

Unleash Your Inner 8-Year-Old Wisdom

by Corey Gruver

26 My Perspective Training Pups

Insights into Molding Young Coonhounds for Success

by Clayton Stark

30 Treeing: Scandinavian Style

Embracing North American Treeing Dogs in the Nordic

by Barry 'Bear' Siragusa

34 Why Redbones?

by Dave Pelzer

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36 Mr. Crockett

by John R. Jackson

38 Bluetick Nights

by Jack Troyer

39 Coonhounds, Banjos & the Walk of Life

by Chris Herring

40 My First Houndsman

by Jerry Barker

41 The Man Who Loved Coonhounds

by Connie Diven

42 Old Time Pleasure Coon Hunters A Dying Breed

by Tara Cardinal

46 Hound Care &

Public Perception

The Tree Dog Doc's Plea for Responsible Animal Husbandry

by Taylor Young, DVM

53 Canadian Tree Dog

Mr. Burt Powers of Twin Creek Kennels

by Mickey Siddle

56 Strike & Stay

Independent Plott Dog Views & News

by Bob Plott

60 Highland Tree Dogs

Nova Scotia’s Versatile Canine Hunters

by Mickey Siddle

65 Buckley Farm Kennels

by Steve Buckley

66 Grand American Hunt

by Dani Duby

68 Living Legend Russ Bellar

by Don Nicely

72 Black Powder Coon A Night of Coon Hunting Adventures

by Justin Cain

74 Around the Campfire with Mark Zepp

76 Book Corner

"Adventure is in my Blood" Review

by Bernie Walker

80 News & Views 94 Kids Corner 96 Classifieds/Obits 98 Forgotten Way of Life Poem

by Alex Recker Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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

“They took out a billboard.”

I said in awe as we pulled up to the Grand American hunt. The first big sign that we weren’t in Oregon anymore. In Oregon you don’t advertise what we do on billboards. Field Trials and gatherings… We drop pinpoints.

If you want to find us you follow the GPS until you are questioning if this really is correct and then when you’re ready to turn around you’ll see three nondescript wooden dog signs directing you the rest of the way.

There you’ll find the super-secret squirrel club of houndsmen.

Our circle is small; we note each truck as it pulls in. ‘So and so is here’ ‘Glad to see he could make it this year.’ We also note any newcomers and make a quick note vetting them within the group. ‘Do you know them? Where did they get dogs from?’ It’s not that we are an unwelcoming lot out here. It’s that we are untrusting. Hound hunting has been under attack for so long that we have become accustomed to watching our backs. You never know what crazy might show up and try to twist things. There was a field trial a few years ago that had an animal rights activist show up. They took pictures of the coon in a cage hoisted up on the pole at the end of the race and were very upset about how it was set up there in the sun all day without food and water just to be harassed by dogs. From the pictures and the story, it sounded horrible and could easily be twisted against the sport. In reality ...

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it was a racoon that had been taxidermied 20 years ago.

The refreshing welcome at Grand American just began with the billboard. I was not / could not be prepared for the magnitude of that event.

From the moment we pulled in, we were greeted with warm welcomes by people who poured endless energy into this event and sport. Over the next three days they estimate that

30,000 people passed through that fairgrounds with one interest in common: coondogs.

The restaurants in town were all sold out of food, the hotels were full, and the mayor hosted a steak dinner banquet welcoming the event. It was truly a sight to behold for this west coaster, and I look forward to attending again and again.

Our booth at the event was always busy, but few were

THE FULL CRY BOOTH AT GRAND AMERICAN

STEVE FIELDER TALKING WITH DAVID BAILEY AND TOM GILROY AT THE FULL CRY BOOTH.

there to see us. Mr. Steve Fielder joined us, introducing us to his friends, new and old.

Watching him as an outsider was interesting. From the minute he got there, there was always someone to talk to. Someone with a story to tell him. Someone saying ‘you probably don’t remember me but...’ (He always did remember them in fact).

I snapped a photo of him telling a story to two younger gentlemen expressly thinking about writing this column.

This issue we are featuring our mentor stories from the contest. (We had so many entries that we are going to feature them over the next two issues.) This picture tells the story about the power of mentorship. These young

THOUGH THE RAINS FOUND US IN SOUTH CAROLINA THE SUN DID POKE THROUGH THE TREES OCCASIONALLY.

men waited and waited to talk to Steve and then sat there leaning on every word he said.

They were open, listening, and learning with everything being said. That is the power of the generation before us. They have the power to bring to life experience and lessons if we just stop and listen.

I hope that you enjoy reading through the contest entries these next two issues. We will list the winner in the next issue once all entries are published.

In other housekeeping news; renewal notices will start going out to people who had an extended subscription from a purchase with C+H publishing.

We hope that after 3 issues you can see the direction that the magazine is headed and you enjoy it!

You also will notice that this issue is arriving in a plastic covering. This is something we are testing out. We had quite a few magazines last issue that got ‘eaten’ by the machines at the post office. They arrived damaged, ripped, or didn't arrive at all. We are testing this out to see if this helps with the quality of the product you are receiving. It is a significant cost to us, so I am interested to hear your thoughts on the matter.

As this arrives to you, most places are going to be deep into season. I hope that you are having a rewarding and successful season and that the weather is holding out for you!

I look forward to hearing about your success and foleys, our pages are always open for you to tell your story.

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ON THE COVER

THIS PHOTO PROVIDED

BY GAVIN LIPJES OF PANTHER TRACKERS

In Pursuit of Panthera Pardus STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT ALLAN

Hunting Dogs Across Continents and Cultures

F

or a number of years now I have been working on a collection of images showcasing hunting dogs around the world in photography form. I felt that whilst America has books on American dog work, Britain has books on British dog work, Spain and France had books on their dog work. There was nothing tying it all together. It was all very isolated with each respective country knowing very little about the dog work of other countries. I decided back in 2018 that it was a project worth pursuing and the life that project has given me, is one I would not change for the world.

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@sa_fieldsports_photography

Initially this journey I have been on started with the intention to grow my portfolio and nothing more. It began with a trip to Utah, hunting Mountain Lion with hounds. But shortly afterwards I was digging badgers in France with terriers, hunting boar and deer with the Rehala’s of Spain, chasing hares with the Galgo Espanyol and many more.

As I went about my travels photographing all these incredible dogs, I was able to learn about cultures, traditions, hunting laws and the likes. Whilst learning all of this, I realised that we are quite literally, all the same. The most striking thing was that each and every country I visited faced the same ‘anti hunt’ opposition that we did in the UK and again, there was nothing to tie it all together.

In the UK we cannot legally hunt anything but rats and rabbits with dogs and I was able to share my

"As I went about my travels photographing all these incredible dogs, I was able to learn about cultures, traditions, hunting laws and the likes" experience of that and the negative effects that law has had with my friends around the world who are facing attempts from their own opposition to bring in similar laws.

I was struck by how we all face the same battle, we all have the same passions, yet we fight our battles alone and do not confer with each other in a bid to become a stronger force and aid one another in our own specific fights.

I felt there was a need for a book showcasing hunting dogs in photography whilst simultaneously discussing the need for hunting with dogs, the benefits of hunting with dogs and hopefully doing some sort of justice as to why we all love, hunting with dogs.

At the start of Covid in 2019 I received an invite that seemed too good to be true. Leopard Hunting with Hounds in Mozambique, Africa. As Covid and its accompanying regulations strengthened, the trip didn’t come to fruition and I put it to the back of my mind under the belief that it was never going to happen. It was a massive surprise when at the latter end of 2022, after restrictions had been lifted, the invite was renewed and a short time later, my flights were booked. Right up to the week of the trip it still felt as if the invite

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was too good to be true and I could not drum up the excitement for it, it was a surreal experience.

In July I finally boarded the plane and at that point the experience became very real, it was finally happening. I flew in to South Africa initially before then taking a second flight to Tete, Mozambique.

After what felt like a lifetime of travelling, I eventually met up with my host, Africa’s leading outfitter for Leopard hunting over hounds, Gavin Lipjes of Panther Trackers. Also in attendance was Texas’ very own Cody King, of Wildcat Hounds, hoping to harvest a nice tom whilst simultaneously expanding his hound knowledge and picking up on some foreign practices.

What was to follow for the both of us was 14 days of hunting in pursuit of the ultimate feline, Panthera Pardus.

Our first port of call was to source livestock for use at our baiting spots. The area we were hunting consisted of two 10hour loops and so baiting points proved essential to locate areas that cats were hunting and to ascertain if we were perhaps wasting our time in certain areas.

It also enabled us to be hunting in an area that we physically did not have enough time to cover every day. We placed our baits strategically, in the fork of a tree, at the base of mountains, in close proximity to fresh water and / or dried creek beds, leopard highways. We used both Goats and Cows for bait, paying several hundred dollars to purchase them from the local village, much to the local’s delight.

Each day we would swap between which 10-hour loop we were hunting, checking the baits to see if they had been hit.

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When we would find a bait that had been hit, we then had to ascertain if it had been hit by a Leopard or by a Honey Badger, who have remarkably similar tracks. Often, we found they had been hit by Hyenas.

Four days into a 14-day hunt and we had already raced two cats, albeit unsuccessfully.

Our hopes were high for the fortnight to come.

On our third day we came across a bait that had been hit, there were no claw marks on the tree and no definitive signs to suggest it was Leopard, we were under the impression it had been a Badger. We stood for several minutes awaiting Sonia, our game scout, who had been tasked with the unenviable job of dragging a scent line. A large bucket of blood and guts in which you would dip a rag and drag it from a point around 100 – 150 yards away in the direction of the bait tree. You would do this in a cross or ‘X’ shape with the bait spot being in the centre.

The idea being that any cat that did cross the scent line would subsequently follow the trail until it reached the bait tree.

When he did return, he was shocked to find us standing around, for he had just crossed a fresh Leopard track whilst replenishing the previous days scent line. He led us back to it and there it was, clear as day. A fresh track.

We unboxed the dogs and off they went, their voice was initially unsure but then, one by one it became more certain until we had a pack of dogs singing away up the side of a rocky mountain. We quickly grabbed out belongings and off we went in pursuit. I’d like to say it was a hunt of epic proportions but the dogs came upon and treed the Leopard in less than a mile. We are unsure what happened at that point but we think he came down and made off up a cliff face, as he disappeared into thin air.

On our fourth day we checked a bait less than a mile away from the previous day’s success and again, it had been hit. We unboxed the dogs and off they went, full cry up the side of the same mountain. I am unsure if it was a different cat, because of the different behaviour, or the same cat that knew what was coming and adjusted, but this cat stopped on the ground and faced off with the dogs before again, making off up a cliff face and shaking us off.

Four days into a 14-day hunt and we had already raced two cats, albeit unsuccessfully. Our hopes were high for the fortnight to come.

What we didn’t anticipate was the 8 days that followed were completely uneventful. No baits were hit. We would check Loop A and find tracks from 2 nights prior; we would then check Loop B the following day and find the same thing. Our luck had turned and we were now very much, hunting.

Day 12 though was everything we imagined Leopard hunting to be. An older bait that had remained stagnant for a while had been hit. We unboxed and slowly

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walked the dogs in the direction we believed the cat had gone and sure enough, they scented him and the hunt was on. He wasn’t waiting around, though. The dogs were quickly at full flight into the distance and we done our best to keep up with them through the 86℉ African bush. 100 yards become a mile and before we knew it, we had chased this cat 20 kilometre, but we were on his tail.

I stopped for a breather at the base of what felt like the tenth mountain only to hear an almighty growl as the cat turned and faced off with the dogs. It was the sort of sound that shakes you to the core, one that sticks with you. You can hear it whenever you think of it. I knew this meant he wouldn’t be going much further however, much to my delight. Sure enough he treed just yards from there, in a cool, dark

crevasse separating two sides of the mountain, rocks either side with an incredible view of the land he hunts daily.

Cody and Gavin slowly approached the tree but unfortunately, it wasn’t the big tom that we were after. We allowed him to run, he had earned it. He had taken a Texan and an Englishman on a wild goose chase across some truly abysmal landscape and gave us both a memory we would never forget. He wasn’t the cat for us, but he was everything else that we wanted him to be.

We both intend to return in 2024 and who knows what our luck will be like then, but I can assure you we will have a great time and create some fantastic memories, In Pursuit of Panthera Pardus.

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"Devil Anse" Hatfield: Bear Hunter The Lesser-Known Legacy of Appalachia's Hatfield Patriarch

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f you’ve heard of Appalachia then you’ve heard of the Hatfield and McCoy feud. I was born and raised deep in the wilderness of the southern coalfields along the tug river in what is today Mingo County West Virginia. I was raised on a piece of earth known as “The Devils Backbone.” The place I call home, the mountains and streams I hunt were once owned by the patriarch of the Hatfield’s, Devil Anse. @houndhuntingathlete 14

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

BY TEDDY SIMPKINS

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HATFIELD HOMEPLACE MUSEUM

In fact, my grandmother was the granddaughter of Valentine Hatfield, the brother of Devil Anse. Edith Hatfield Simpkins never spoke much on the feud.

She never told me stories of the family. I was too young to have yet realized the value of that family history. I had not yet learned that my uncle, many times removed, was a bear hunter. I regret not picking my grandmother’s brain.

I didn’t miss many opportunities with her as we were very close.

But what if she had known legends of the bear hunts of the old Hatfield family?

Hollywood put together a series starring Kevin Costner as Hatfield. The Hatfield’s and Mccoy’s miniseries was a hit.

Many books have been written and stories have been told about the feuding and fighting.

Hatfield was a Civil War veteran. He led a militia known as the “Logan Wildcats”. He was involved in a family feud spanning several decades. He was later in life a preacher and was a wealthy timber merchant

and even advised the railroad on how to effectively move into the area. What you won’t see in the movies is my favorite part of this character. The part I find immensely interesting, and the

"On a well recorded hunt after the feud, Hatfield caught two bear cubs. A male and a female. He named them Billy and Fanny”

part I wholeheartedly relate to.

Devil Anse Hatfield was a bear hunter. Not just a bear hunter, but a houndsman.

To tell the story we will have to back up a bit. By a bit I mean quiet a bit, like the eighteen hundreds. A story about Ephriam Hatfield was published in 1895 in the Peninsula Enterprise in Accomac, Virginia.

As the story goes, Ephriam Hatfield, the father of Devil Anse, would take his children and hounds bear hunting. He wanted to show the children his courage, so on this particular outing when the bear was treed or bayed, Ephriam Hatfield waded in among the dogs and decided to fight the bear hand to hand. The story says Ephriam choked the bear to death with his “bare” hands.

This particular story would have taken place years before it was published. Maybe as early as the 1840’s. Today it seems the story is most likely a tall tale. But nonetheless there is some truth to extract. Ephriam Hatfield was passing his love for bear hunting to a young Anse Hatfield.

William Anderson Hatfield, or “Devil Anse”,was born in 1839.

He no doubt grew up hunting more for necessity than fun. The time period in which he was born and the rugged lay of southern Appalachia was fit for neither man nor beast.

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Yet man and beast both lived there. The Hatfield family made their living off timber. And they had plenty of it. It is believed Devil Anse and the Hatfield’s owned about 28 square miles of prime timber. That’s about 17,600 acres. This land was controlled by the Hatfield’s around 1865. Bear hunting in the area was probably pretty good at this time. Logan county was just starting to see an increase in settlements coming for work in the timber business.

It was during this era that the feud with the Mccoy’s broke out.

War was at hand on the mighty Tug River. Bear hunting was probably on the back burner as they fought for their lives. The causes of the feud have been debated to say the least. But we are not here to study the feud. I want to tell the story of a bear hunter.

On a well recorded hunt after the feud, Hatfield caught two bear cubs. A male and a female. He named them “Billy and Fanny.”

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It was told by one of Anse’s granddaughters that the bears were kept for years and well cared for. She also said the bears would break into the “well house” and slurp all the cream off the milk.

"Living and hunting in these mountains in the time of the Hatfield and McCoy feud made some hard and tough individuals"

The West Virginia Encyclopedia describes Hatfield as “an avid outdoorsman and bear hunter”.

A tall and imposing figure. He was no doubt a hard man in hard times. “Watch” or “Yellow Watch” was the name of his favorite coon and bear dog. Ol’ Watch is in a photo with the Hatfield

family. The dog in, my opinion, is some type of cur or hound cross.

He resembles a mountain cur.

And I would imagine this is the common stock of bear and coon dog for the area at the time.

I never spoke much about my ties to the original Hatfield family.

Being tied to a feuding family or “the” feuding family could understandably come with some negative stigma. But we have to understand these were different times. A simple disagreement or a slight word of disrespect would get you killed in these days.

People were poor. Extremely poor. And the outside world had not hit Appalachia yet. Small settlements landlocked between mountains had these families secluded and the feud is what unfortunately brought attention to the area.

Later, the railroad opened up through the mountains for the timber and coal.

Devil Anse Hatfield died in 1921. It was said his funeral was the largest service ever held in Logan County. A life-sized Italy made marble statue of Hatfield marked his grave and still stands there today. It has become a tourist attraction.

It’s worthy to note a lot of prominent men of hunting history share a love for hound hunting. George Washington and his foxhounds. Davy Crockett and his bear dogs. Ben Lilly, and now Devil Anse Hatfield.

It’s also intriguing to know that The West Virginia Encyclopedia referred to Hatfield as a “bear hunter”. He was a civil war veteran, a feudist, a militia leader, a timber and property tycoon.

Yet with such a colorful life filled with so many extraordinary adventures, he was simply referred to as “bear hunter”. That gives a powerful testimony of the true passion of a hunter and houndsman and how we want to be remembered.

In closing, the environment we live in molds us into the men or women that we become. Living and hunting in these mountains in the time of the Hatfield and McCoy feud made some hard and tough individuals. To judge them for the violence of the feuding is not my place. If I had been born in those times and in those circumstances I would have not known any different life than they did. I’m thankful to live in a timeless ruthless, yet I can’t help but wonder what a bear hunt with Devil Anse Hatfield would have been like. And I’m pretty sure he would appreciate his love for hunting bear and coons in the mountains he called home is still alive.

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@houndsmanxppodcast

Nobody Gets That Lucky Perspective on Skill, Preparation, and Success in the Field

I

got lucky.” - “He is so lucky.” - “Good luck!” - “Had any luck today?”

All common phrases that are a part of our daily conversation. Luck is a word that is prevalent in the sports world and this includes hunters and fishermen.

At the local coon club, in walks a hunter with a light on his head, frog legs pulled down to the knees and a little sweat on the brow carrying a score card; “Looks like you had some luck.” A houndsmen posts a picture of a bear in a tree and folks start congratulating him and he simply replies “Thanks everyone, I got lucky today.”

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BY CHRIS POWELL

This whole conversation and my deep dive into considering what luck really is began a long time ago but came to the forefront again in the last couple of weeks. On the Houndsman XP Group chat, Heath posted a picture of a bear that he had treed on Christmas Day. Of course, we all congratulated him and his reply was simply, “Thanks, we got lucky today.”

As I considered that statement I thought to myself, Heath can post a picture like that just about any day he hunts. He consistently catches bear. He hunts nearly every day of December during the Virginia late season. He catches bear with his old dogs, his young dogs, a mixture of both and he does it at a very high rate.

Is he lucky every day? Is there more to it? What is happening behind the scenes we never hear about? Why are some people always so lucky? Or are they?

To understand this phenomenon of luck we must first understand what we actually perceive as humans as luck and how we use the term.

Luck is commonly defined as accomplishing a feat when there is absolutely no way it could have been accomplished by forethought, skill or preparation.

If I were to get a chance to shoot the game winning shot in an NBA game and I made it, that would be luck. On the other hand Michael Jordan has done it so many times it has earned him the title of GOAT. I have no particular skill, have never prepared for that moment, drilled for hours on a basketball court, taken thousands of shots in an empty gym preparing for that one moment when it is all on the line. Jordan has. For Jordan, it is routine if not expected. For me it is more likely that I be struck by lightning or win the Powerball without buying a ticket.

I bounced this topic off of my good friend Tracey Jones.

Tracey is a lifelong bear hunter and houndsmen from East Tennessee. Tracey will tell you he is the worst bear hunter in his family but being a great bear hunter and houndsmen is not why I picked him to talk to. Tracey has a unique gift of taking complicated thoughts and breaking them down to simple terms. Tracey is also a baptist minister, so, needless to say he does not believe in luck. Tracey believes people simply use the term luck because we don't have a better word to describe how we accomplished a feat. We also discussed how a person may respond by stating “I got lucky” because they are attempting to deflect and be humble. In either case, as humans we try to be descriptive and brief in conversation and communication.

"Luck or lucky is a term often used by people who have never had the experience of seeing hard work turn into success"

Nobody wants to congratulate someone only for them to go into a long dissertation about how their journey started one hundred years ago when their great granddaddy bought his first hound from so and so and through three generations of hard work I was able to tree that critter today. That guy comes off as a braggart. Deep down inside the man knows his history, he knows the work that was put in for years, the forethought about breeding pairs, raising pups correctly,

daily handling, hard hunting, worn out boots, late nights and early mornings. As a host on the Houndsman XP Podcast, I want those stories. I want to reveal a personal story with all the details.

That makes a great story but unsolicited conversation about your own outstanding qualities comes off as arrogant.

Luck or lucky is a term often used by people who have never had the experience of seeing hard work turn into success. When I was a youngster at the local coonhunting club there were a few guys who were always getting their picture taken and carrying home the trophies. In my ignorance at thirteen years old I would ask “How does that guy always get so lucky?” My good friend and mentor Kenny Burton, who was in his fifties, would simply state “When you can win like he does it’s not luck, it’s skill.” Deep down inside we all know this to be true. I was calling something luck because I had not had the trials and errors.

I had not dedicated myself to my craft day in and day out. At that age I hadn’t even worn out my first pair of boots yet. I had not learned what it really takes to get “lucky” consistently.

After four decades of being in this game and five and half decades of being alive there are few lessons I’ve learned. I’ve had the opportunity to be around the Michael Jordan’s of our sport and lifestyle. In the last few years I’ve gotten to sit down and pick their brains and try to uncover the secrets to their successes.

Kody Lohstroh is the 2009 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Champion, professional lion hunting guide and Vice President for the United Houndsmen of Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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Colorado. Knowing that you do not achieve this level of success by luck I wanted his opinion. Here is what he said: “If someone sets out to do something and consistently achieves the goal, that is no luck.

That is being prepared for the opportunity.”

Great things can be accomplished when a person is prepared to succeed. Successful people outwork those who are content with being mediocre.

Losers lack the qualities and principles to be successful and tear down those who are, by saying; “That guy always gets lucky.” So what does this preparation to succeed look like?

Let’s break it down.

Honesty. When is the last time you sat down and had an honest conversation with yourself?

What is the real quality of your hound or pack? Where can we improve? What are the strengths and weaknesses. The greatest houndsmen I know are very honest with themselves and their hounds. They don't lie to themselves or make excuses. They break it down in honest simple terms. Is it a “hound problem” or a “me problem”? If it is a hound a problem; fix it or cull it.

Me problems take a little more honesty. We have to ask ourselves tough questions. How many days do I spend hunting, training and developing my dog? Where am I getting my training advice? Is what I am doing really productive?

If you want to succeed, be honest with yourself about what you are doing and what you are packing in the dog box.

Discipline. We are talking selfdiscipline here. A person has to be disciplined in thought and deed. If you want to lose weight; 20

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you have to dedicate your mind to it. You have to resist the urge to stuff that Little Debbie in your face and get off your butt. If you want to have great hounds you need to get off the couch, put down the remote and phone.

Great hounds are not made on Facebook. They are made in the woods, often times where there is no service to update your Instafamous feed. If you truly want to have the best hounds possible start today to develop good habits that include daily time with your hounds.

“Luck is a mystical point in time where preparation and opportunity intersect” - Eugene Walker

Vision. Know what you want.

Have a clear goal and develop your work and habits around that. See the end result first and plan a route to get there. A word of caution here though, no two journeys are the same.

Our hounds are individuals and there is no set-in stone manual to get there so your plan has to be flexible and able to be tailored to the successful outcome. Semper Gumbi is a term we used in the Marine Corps: Always Flexible.

The mission was never sacrificed but the circumstances were never predictable or the same. The vision was always to be successful even if we had to overcome obstacles and revise the plan along the way.

Consistency. Don’t ever give your dog a command you are not prepared to enforce. This is not to

say you have to be an overbearing jerk with heavy hands and itchy zapper fingers. Be realistic but be consistent. Don’t tell your dog to come by voice or with a tone and not back it up. Be consistent.

The rules are the rule - every time. There is nothing worse than hunting with a chaotic inconsistent person or hound.

The handler is running around with their hair on fire, screaming and yelling and the hound is confused or running around like an undisciplined five-yearold child in Disney World. I was impressed the first time I hunted with Shorty Gorham. He had thirteen hounds in the box.

When we got to our hunting spot he invited each hound by name to the door, collared them, and let them down to clean out.

It was orderly and very routine.

The hounds varied in age, so I expected a young knot head there wasn’t one. Each dog was collared, put down to do their business and recalled. At the end of a thirty-mile day on the hounds that resulted in two bobcats, he recalled them to the tailgate. Each hound got in the truck in the order they were told, took a drink and chilled out. No screaming, no yelling, no chaos. Shorty will tell you that it comes from handling his hounds the same every day.

Dogs thrive on consistency and routine. If we are not consistent a dog does not know what to expect. Consistency in our tone of voice and action eliminates chaos.

Success and chaos cannot exist in the same space.

Be a learner. People who are keen to learn will enjoy life hunting and with their hounds more. Every person you hunt with can teach you something.

Sometimes it is a good thing and sometimes it is an example of what not to do. Traveling all over the country to hunt, I have had

the opportunity to see a lot. I can honestly say that I have learned something new or enforced my beliefs and principles from every person I have spent time with.

Focus on other people’s successes not their failures. It’s easy to find fault. It’s also hard not to watch a train wreck. But use the experience to keep your train on the rails.

HEATH HYATT WITH BRAD LUTTREL FOUNDER AND CEO OF GOWILD ON HIS FIRST BEAR HUNT WITH HEATH’S DOG KATE

The last thing to add here is surround yourself with successful people. We can get an honest look of who we are by looking at our five closest friends and that is the average of who we really are. Find people that challenge you mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We should have people in your lives who are better than us to give us something to strive for. Iron sharpens irons is a quote from the Bible and it holds true. We should have people in our lives to mentor and develop. Success is when you develop a young hound and see it achieve. Same goes for people.

Last year, Calvin Redhouse posted a video that went wild. His hounds treed a bear and a lion in the same tree at the same time.

Is there a more glaring example of getting lucky? I don’t know of any other picture, video or even a story of this happening. It had to be luck. Lucky the bear and the lion were right there together, that’s just not natural. Lucky that he chose to send his hounds in that direction. Lucky in the timing. BUT, what if Calvin did not hunt as hard as he does. What if he stayed home that day? What if his dogs were not in great shape?

What if he didn’t put the time into his hounds for them to complete that feat? What if Calvin didn’t know the mountains and where he hunted like he does? Nah, nobody gets that lucky.

CALVIN REDHOUSE AT HIS FAMOUS BEAR AND LION TREE Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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Train Hounds Like a Kid Again Unleash Your Inner 8-Year-Old Wisdom 22

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

BY COREY GRUVER

T

here aren’t many of us without fond childhood memories.

In fact, for most of us, those memories contain a favorite hound or two. I can remember the many days I spent afield training my first Coonhound puppy.

More times than not, we chased rabbits and redwing blackbirds through an overgrown pasture field behind my grandparent’s home. Sometimes we’d end up in the creek bottoms and swamps, but most of the time I didn’t pay much attention to where we were.

I just enjoyed the time I had with my young puppy.

Children are privileged in the fact that they understand so much more than we often give them credit for. Looking back on my years of training tree dogs, I’ve found that many of the lessons I have learned later in life, were things I had forgotten about from my childhood. Things like+ how to maintain enthusiasm in the wake of a frustrating situation or devoting time to simply take a walk through the woods.

tricks to the trade. Sure, the innerworkings of professional training and breeding programs are NOT simple, and the complex rules and procedures of competitive events CAN be intimidating. Much of the time, advice can be given to the casual hunter that bleeds its way out from the complexities of these “other worlds”.

These facets of the sport represent a minority of the people within it. Many of us simply want to enjoy a night in the field with our favorite canine companions, and we can do just that. Our 8-year-old selves never stopped to consider the money that could be gained if our hound would only perform a little more in a certain kind of way. That was never even a thought for me at that age anyway. So, why should we put our hounds through the rigorous training regiments that produce competitive hounds?

"If there is one thing that children have in abundance besides enthusiasm, it’s time"

These were lessons that my 8-year-old self was never taught.

They just came naturally. Maybe we were all just a bit naïve at 8 years old. Maybe our unbridled enthusiasm made up for the rest.

Whatever the case, we should work every day to become the type of trainer that our 8-year-old self was, and here’s why: KEEP IT SIMPLE

The diversity and range of attributes that we can witness within different types of individual dogs is breathtaking and always makes for an enjoyable evening with friends.

Don’t let the complexities of “serious” hunters fool you.

Treeing game is simple, and many hounds can become proficient in this game if you keep their training simple.

Raising tree dogs is as simple of an endeavor as you are willing to make it. There are no real

The willingness to learn is somewhat of a lost art, especially in the world we find ourselves in. I

BE EAGER TO LEARN

often think that the abundance of information that is available today gives way to a lack of desire to seek it. There are lots of ways that a would-be coonhunter can learn about their new favorite hobby.

Books and magazines. Personal experiences and advice from those more experienced than ourselves.

8-year-old children are the most inquisitive human beings you could ever want to meet.

They constantly pose the most extraordinary questions. They constantly test and reaffirm the information they are given.

They have a natural desire to understand the world they live in.

As I have aged, I have found myself with a parcel full of answers and very few questions.

Having all the answers does not make a proficient hound trainer.

To do justice to your new pup, no matter your personal age or level of experience, we always need to be willing to ask questions and test the conclusions we come to.

Pushing a hound through the “eye of the needle”, or a specific frame of reference in training, can lead to many frustrating nights if you aren’t willing to admit you don’t know how to handle the situation you are dealing with.

THE GIFT OF TIME

If there is one thing that children have in abundance besides enthusiasm, it’s time.

I have yet to see an 8-year-old check their watch while on a trek through the woods. Children live in the moment, much like our hounds. Be present during training sessions and have them often. The more time a hound can spend in the woods, the more it learns, even if direct training principles are not being applied.

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Allow your puppies and young hounds to acquaint themselves with nature and learn the ways of the woods. The product of time and effort is experience. Whether that experience is good or bad, we can learn from it either way.

THE POWER OF OBSERVATION

As a young boy, I was privileged to learn all about coonhunting from my grandfather. After he passed away, I was left with no one to really teach me how to hunt raccoons, except for his old coonhound. I often found myself so enthralled with the sounds of the chase, that I would follow very close to the action. On these nights, I learned all about how that dog liked to work her tracks, how the raccoons worked carefully to fool the old hound and how best to bag my fur.

What I learned from these experiences is that it matters little whether we are pursuing raccoons, bear, or even squirrels, putting game in a tree is not rocket-science, for man or beast alike. We don’t need a college degree in animal science to understand how these critters think or behave, and this includes our hounds.

Simple observation can tell us exactly what we need to know.

Honing our observation skills will allow us the opportunity to assess the pursuit at hand.

By simply keeping close to the action, or at least in such an advantageous way that we can get ahead of, beside or behind the chase, many signs will be presented for our interpretation.

These signs may be tracks in the mud, sounds in the air, or even fleeting glimpses of the hound and its quarry. Once we can interpret the evidence of 24

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a chase in action, we can then implement whatever kind of training practices that are proper.

Not only that, but we learn a lot about our hounds and the game we are pursuing along the way.

The best trainer is the trainer that is willing to hunt “with” their puppies, until they learn the ropes, of course.

"It is never too late to rekindle your youth.

Every time we step foot in the woods with our hounds, we should have that feeling of stepping back in time"

EXPECTATIONS

Leave the expectations of others, and yourself, behind.

Expectations are heavy and burdensome. Social media platforms bleed with them. No, our puppy does not NEED to be treeing coon by the time he’s six months old. No, our young prodigy isn’t a dud just because so and so said it was. Our hounds don’t need to be bullet proof and competition hunt ready 24/7.

These are just examples of many of the expectations set forth by the culture of the Coonhound world.

Training a hound is dynamic process and has no room for “cutand-dry” technique. Sure, some work, but then again, maybe not for our pup. Like people, every hound is an individual. We need to be receptive of that and willing to meet that dog where it’s at. Remember the enthusiasm our 8-year-old self would have had for the dog we are training, along with the lack of expectations, and enjoy the ride.

DITCH THE ELECTRONICS

You heard me right. Our 8-yearold self didn’t have a Garmin Alpha. Many of us were not privy to the use of such wonders as shock collars and telemetry tracking when we first started training hounds. In fact, I recall training my first coonhound puppy with nothing but the great outdoors and some boot leather.

While many of the gadgets of our era help streamline the training process, they do rob us of much of our “dog sense”. Maybe even to a grander scale, much of our “wood sense”. Our body is the greatest tool in the hound trainer’s arsenal. It costs a good bit less than a Dogtra and doesn’t require batteries.

Use your senses to your advantage. Your eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, as they taught us in Pre-School. Observation is key to any training program and should proceed the use of any kind of gizmo or gadget we have in our pocket. Not only can electronics detract from our own experience as a trainer, they also can detract from a hound’s experience to learn about us.

It is never too late to rekindle your youth. Every time we step foot in the woods with our hounds, we should have that feeling of stepping back in time. It’s a hard practice to master. I for one am working diligently to do just that every day. This world is serious enough on its own without making what we love to do difficult. I hope that those of you that have read through to the end will be able to remember the thrill, desire and passion you had with your first pup, and bring that enthusiasm forth into your life and train hounds like a kid again.

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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@stark_outdoors

My Perspective Training Pups Insights into Molding Young Coonhounds for Success 26

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

BY CLAYTON STARK

Life has been good to me lately in many ways. One way is definitely the opportunity of unsnapping the current young dogs I am hunting. I have a very nice young bluetick out of Country Club that is doing very well. He’s been treeing since he’s been 7 months old and sounds great. I am also hunting a nice young walker owned by Randy Smith. He is out of World Champion Lone Pine Buffy Sue and World Champion Davis’ Rosedale Phrogger. He has been treeing on his own since he was 7 months old also. I am blessed with two wonderful dogs right now, but it wasn’t by accident.

I am like many of you out there.

For me, it makes more sense financially to get a puppy to raise and train myself. The cost of a dog that does what I like is way too high for me to afford. I also love hunting a good young dog. I enjoy the journey of seeing it grow from just a little puppy all the way to a finished hound.

H

ello, and I hope you had a great Christmas and holiday season.

Hard to believe 2023 has come and gone already. Time really is flying, and the kids are growing TOO fast.

I have learned a lot over the years, but don’t claim to have all the answers. I feel my own life experience of over 30 years doing this along with the years of work I have put into traveling and interviewing other people on this topic makes me feel comfortable sharing my opinions with you about what works best for me starting dogs.

I would like to start by acknowledging the foundation of knowledge that was given to me by my father Tom and mentors Ross and Ned Boland along with Charley Clay and Charley Sulfridge. These men instilled in me the love for coon hunting and training dogs. I learned the majority of what I know from them and would not be where I am at today if it wasn’t for them.

"I cannot stress enough how important it is to see the parents hunt if possible.

Seeing both parents hunt will give you a sense of what style the dog could have if it is a good reproducer"

I would also like to recognize and thank all the people who have been hunting and breeding coonhounds for many years because without the quality genetics we have today this wouldn’t be possible.

The absolute first thing I do when starting a young dog is making sure I am picking a puppy from a proven cross or highly successful dogs that I have personally seen hunt. I cannot stress enough how important it is to see the parents hunt if possible. Seeing both parents hunt will give you a sense of what style the dog could have if it is a good reproducer. Obviously, if there’s a cross that’s already been successful and you have the opportunity at a pup, take it.

So once the research is done and I have decided which dogs I am getting a puppy out of, I look for a few things. I want the puppy to be adventurous and bold. If it’s possible to see the pups outside of a pen, I pick the one that is comfortable leaving and exploring.

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Once I get the puppy home, I have had great luck raising them in the house for the early part of their life as well as even have one that’s lived in the house his entire life. In my experience, where a dog sleeps has no impact on its natural hunting ability. The greater connection you have with your dog, the harder it will hunt for you. They love to please.

I recently fenced my yard in, so the majority of the pup's life it runs free with ample opportunity to learn and develop. Letting the pup run loose allows you to also pay attention to what it's doing, so you know when it's getting time to start training them. Once they begin treeing stuff in the yard and showing you signs like that, usually around six to eight months of age, I start taking them to the woods.

I typically don’t mess with cage game or drags that much.

If I do lay drags, I only do it maybe a couple of times in a pup's life once in the day. Then, if they show me they can tree it during the day, I will do the same thing at the woods at night to ensure they are using their nose, not their eyes. If they tree a drag at night, then you know for sure you can take them to the woods and there is a good chance if they come across a track they have an idea what they are doing.

It is important to know the area you take your pups so you can ensure you are putting them in a coon-rich environment with ample opportunity to get on a track.

Once they tree one in the wild and you give it to them, it’s usually pretty easy from that point on for most of them.

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That’s not saying there’s not headaches and problems down the road, but most of the time if you picked something you’ve done research on and reward it with some fur in its mouth, it’s game on from that point.

I primarily hunt my young dogs by themselves until they have shown me they can do it consistently for a month or so then I will take them with a good finished hound to see how they handle pressure, but that aspect can be addressed at a later date.

I also find every other night is a good schedule for me. It keeps them learning, but not burnt out.

This is mostly information for a new person or kid interested in starting dogs. I am sure many of you already do or know this. I also know this is not the only way to get a dog going. Many people do it differently, but this is what works for me. I encourage you to try it and see what works for you. It’s extremely rewarding and you will be glad you did it. Best of luck with your young dogs.

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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@thehuntinghound

Treeing: Scandinavian Style Embracing North American Treeing Dogs in the Nordic

W

hen I picture a hound in profile, it is with its front paws on the trunk of a tree, head thrown back, nose pointed to the heavens, bawling treed. It's an iconic image that is as American as apple pie, Nascar, and baseball.

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BY BARRY 'BEAR' SIRAGUSA

As North American houndsmen, unless you are running bunnies with Beagles or coyotes and red fox with running hounds, most of the game hunted with hounds in the US and Canada is treeing game. Black bears, mountain lion, bobcat, raccoons, squirrels, even the grey-fox, all take to the skies when pressured by a pack of trusty treeing dogs. There are so many species of game and breeds of hound that tree, that this wonderful Magazine in your hands right now is dedicated purely to treeing dogs. Pretty cool.

Here in Scandinavia, we have imported treeing dogs from the US and Canada for decades. Plotts from BC, Blueticks from the midwest, Treeing Walkers from all over, even a couple of black and tans. Many of them have hunted and performed at the highest level here. The Plott Hounds from British Columbia are the go-to hound for hunting the huge Eurasian brown bear in Sweden. The Treeing Walkers perform well on bear, red

fox and badger. All breeds have shown they are capable of handling razorback wild boar.

Considering how many treeing hounds Scandinavians have imported, the funny thing is, we don't have many game species over here that “tree”.

The brown bear will walk and fight until they grow weary, then they will often sit in a hole and alternate between resting and fighting. These big murder-teddys won't climb like the black bear in the US and Canada usually. Every bear here is a “walking bear”.

Our foxes are of the red variety and will only run and go to ground or “den”. Many fox hunts end underground, necessitating the use of a terrier of dachshund to get the foxes out.

We don't have coyotes, lions, bobcat, or grey fox in Scandinavia. (the arctic fox is not fair game with hounds here).

All of these imported treeing hounds and their owners have, out of necessity, had to make the adjustment to only bay-ups on the ground. Many of them have made that adjustment in admirable fashion.

The boreal forests of Scandinavia do however host a few species of game that do take to the trees when pressured by our hounds. These species are neither in great enough numbers nor with adequately long hunting seasons to make them worth a houndsmans time to exclusively chase, but we can hunt them enough to see the ”treeing genes” in our hounds start to shine through.

Squirrels: Squirrels here in the taiga are the small red squirrels (or pine squirrels) and weigh on average 200-300 grams before skinning and gutting. That is the equivalent of 1/2 a can of soda

A HOLDHOUND AND TERRIERS

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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(or pop for you mid-westerners).

Unlike the beefier gray squirrel or fox squirrels in the united states, the red squirrels here are hard to make a meal out of. We also don't really have squirrel dogs. Scandinavia has no dog breed that is really comparable to the feist breeds in the United states. We have laikas and Finnish spitz dogs over here, but the laikas are mostly used for moose, and the spitz are used for hunting the cappercaile. There is certainly the possibility to train a squirrel dog over here, but the cost vs. benefit make it unlikely that anyone would take the time and pit down the necessary work to make it happen.

Lynx: The Eurasian lynx found over here are big. A male Canadian lynx is 20-35 pounds on average. The male Eurasian lynx –like those found in Scandinavia– average 35-60 pounds, so nearly twice the size (again, on average). Due perhaps to their size or the topography of the terrain they call home, the Eurasian lynx are less likely to tree but will often climb cliff faces. However, they are more likely to turn and brawl with a hound than there Canadian counterpart (even the lynx in Canada are polite!). The size of the Eurasian lynx, and the fact that we use only a single hound while pursuing, make fighting more common here than in North America.

The lynx season in Norway is in February and is run as a quota system, so as soon as the quota for the year is filled, the season ends. I have experienced seasons that ended within three days.

The deep snow makes it easy for the lynx to move, and extremely difficult for the hound, so the short season is a testament to the grittiness of the hound and 32

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their ability to get it done even at a disadvantage.

Pine Martin: One of the more popular treeing game species here is the pine martin. They are fun to run, and will tree quickly given the opportunity. Their beautiful red and cream colored pelts make them popular targets for trapping, so the population is not quite robust enough to expect to start a pine martin track every day.

Most fox hunters will encourage their hounds to hunt pine martin as well, as welcome variety to the everyday of fox hunting.

The native hound breeds here in northern Scandinavia are all “running” types. The Dunker Hound, Hygen Hound, Halden Hound, Finnish Hound, Schiller hound, Smålands Hound, and Hamilton Hound are all breeds that produce some fine A PLOTT HOUND IN NORWAY

individuals. The lack of treeing game and the collapse of the fox population in the 80's due to a mange epidemic, made hare the primary game for most of these breeds, and their breeding the last 30-40 years reflect that. Apart from the Schiller and Smålands Hound, there are very few individuals from the other breeds that are used to any great degree for running predators. (the Schiller and Småland hounds are excellent fox hunting dogs but lack the grit necessary for boar and bear.)

The running hounds native to Norway can struggle to cope with the treeing aspect of things.

However, those of us that run American treeing hounds do not tend to have that problem on the rare occasion that our quarry decides to take to the trees.

A RUSSIAN HOUND

AN AMERICAN FOXHOUND

A HALDEN HOUND

A HAMILTON HOUND

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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A MENTOR STORY SIGN THAT STOOD IN AMBOY AND CAME HERE AFTER RED PASSED

Why Redbones?

BY DAVE PELZER

I

was 5 years old when we got done with chores and were walking back to the house from the barn, when my dad stopped and said “listen.” As we stood there, I could hear a sound that I had never heard before but I liked. We got in the truck and drove around to the backside of your land and saw lights shining a tree with 3 “red” dogs barking and standing with their front feet up against the tree.

It was Joe, your milkman that came every day and loaded our cans of milk and took them to the creamery. It just so happened that it was December 4th, my birthday, and here in Minnesota there normally aren’t any bugs out. But that night I got bit by one and it poisoned my blood stream so bad that I still can’t shake it today.

I’ll be honest, in 73 years of living, school was not my favored occupation. Most of my book reports were on hunting with hounds. Had 34

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one that was about a hound named General Red I liked and of course, Where the Red Fern Grows that most everyone has read or seen the movie.

I got my first pup in 1956, ¾ bluetick and ¼ walker, and have had them ever since. Now when you’re 6 years old and don’t have a gun or driver’s license but 2 good legs and a woods behind the barn, you have the world at your doorstep.

So, Jackie and myself covered a lot of ground and she learned to cross creeks, get through fences, how to get over logs and how to find me.

The year 1957 came with a new milkman named Dennis Carlson who saw Jackie and asked if she was a coonhound? Now what do you think a 7-year-old experienced hunter like myself would say?

Really not sure what I said. He was a hide hunter but better yet, he had a gun, a driver license and 2 dogs that got him raccoons! One of his dogs was a yellow lab named Pokey and the other was Champ, half black

lab and half Airedale. Both silent on track and Pokey was the only one that treed good, Champ was there but did more whining waiting for the raccoon to hit the ground.

Lots were caught on the ground which made it easy to find them, but without any tracking systems and windy nights were tough for Dennis. That’s where Jackie came in very handy because she was wide open on track and we then knew which way they were headed.

She was a tree hound. One night it took us over 5 hours to fix the car and we could hear her chop every breath until we got to her. Now, she also loved to exercise deer. There were many nights I left my jacket where we dropped them out and my mom would have to drive me back in the morning before school to pick her up. I did break her off of them with the help of Bill Boatmans’ breaking scent.

Around 1958 I started to get rides to go foxhunting with a gentleman, Louie Fritz Sr, who also chased the ringtail bandit. He worked for the railroad and had many hounds shipped up from the south. He had one shipped up out of OK from a bluetick breeder he was hoping to raccoon hunt but he wouldn’t tree.

He said as hard and as good of a tree hound Jackie was, we should mate the two because Bruiser came from good tree stock hounds.

We made that cross and it was a nightmare. Jackie came down with milk fever and the Vet gave her a shot and she died. So here is a litter of 3-day old pups and we raised them in the house, next to the stove for heat and fed them every couple hours. We did save three, two males and one female. When it got to be time for me to pick mine, there was one male that would always stay in the back of the pen and when you went inside, he would go in the corner and try to hide. I picked him and named him Spook.

Long story short, he probably turned out to be the best hound I have ever fed, definitely in the top three. He had that extra sense to know were to find a track. Born as straight as they come, NEVER ran any off game and at 9 months old he was doing it all and guys that hunted with me used him as a check dog. Lyman Ganz who hunted black and tans always said when Spook checked back, “Might as well load them up, there’s no coon here.”

I was 16 when I got my first registered hound. Got him from a butcher named Ronnie Knaus. He was born on August 25, 1967 and he was all dark red, I guess Ronnie said something about him being a Redbone? Sent off for his papers and when they came back I seen he was a grandson to PR Blakesleys Northern Joe VII (Pr Blakeskeys Northern Joe Jr X Pr Blakesleys Red Linde) Pr Spinarskis Prairie Rose (Pr Blakesleys Northern Tom X Pr Blakesleys Northern Maggie) on his top side and grandson of NiteCh Ch Pr Crowes Red Missouri Duke and Nite Ch Pr Crowes Duncans Lucky Susie on his bottom. He was an allnatural born straight coonhound.

Beautiful track mouth and a set down tree hound that bounced as he chopped. If others ran junk, he would come back and sit by my side and wouldn’t leave.

As the saying goes, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. After General, I have owned every breed

but Plott. Nothing against them, just never owned one. After 17 years of hunting and never having a “General” in the bunch, I started to research the Blakesley Kennel.

In 1984 I called and talked to some guy named Red. He was all sold out but would give me a call when he had a pup. Summer of ‘85 he called and said if I still wanted one to come down. Took my dad along (that was a mistake because all Red and him talked about was draft horses). He had three litters to pick from and it was like going to a candy store. You get to pick any candy bar you want but you just can’t open the wrapper and taste it, so you really don’t know what you have picked.

I do remember asking him a question that after our many visits later, was a dumb question.

“Which cross will make the best coonhound?” He laughed and said, “They all will.” That day I fell in love with one of the mothers, Cheta II was her name. Big beautiful dark female with long ears and those pleasing dark eyes so I went and stood in her kennel and when this little female came up to me, I took her and never looked back. And her name, Pr Blakesleys Spooky Pelz.

When I got her big paper and got to looking it over, there were the same hounds that were on Generals and just like him, when others opened and she came back and sat by me. You knew what they were doing.

CHETA II

Red and I became good friends over the years before he found out he had cancer on April 12, 1988.

I remember driving down to his place that day and sitting in his kennel when he got home from the hospital. The first thing he asked was what I was doing there? All I said was, “You always told me I wasn’t too bright.” It was a short three months before he passed but we had a lot of phone calls and some 4-hour trips to visit. On one of those trips is when he offered to sell me Cheta II because he remembered that first day we met how I liked her. As they say, the rest is history. I have had a bunch of his and his dad’s blood over the years and have got to meet a lot of men and women through the Redbones.

I got one now, thanks to Jerry and Justin Anderson, that goes back to Cheta II and a whole lot of other good old Redbones that have helped this breed. So, to answer the above question, they fill the traits and style of my type of hunting and why I hunt.

No trophies, no big checks, and no pickups. Those cool fall nights with the sky full of stars, that big bawl mouth on an old track as he works it up to those three long dying locates rolling it over to a nice level headed chop with as they say, “the meat.”

THAT’S WHY! Happy hunting and be sure to take a non-hound person along.

RED DIED ON JUNE 13, 1988 AND MORGAN WAS BORN 10 YEARS LATER ON JUNE 14, 1998 WHILE I WAS AT ARCA DAYS IN IA

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A MENTOR STORY MR. CROCKETT AND RUSTY AN OUTSTANDING BEAR AND HOG DOG

Mr. Crockett

BY JOHN R. JACKSON

T

he most enjoyable thing about Plott dogs is not the dogs. Rather, it is the people who own and hunt them. Over the years I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet some of the most outgoing and personable folks one would ever want to know-and Plott dogs have led me down this path. One such person is Howe Taylor Crockett, the man with three last names.

Mr. Crockett-and I have always referred to him as such-was an old-time, mountain hog and bear hunter from Franklin, North Carolina. He was always Mr. Crockett, not Taylor nor Crockett, but Mr. Crockett. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him, nor is there a time when I see a Plott dog that he doesn't come to mind. He has been that influential in my life and hunting career.

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Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

I first met him in July 1980.

I had called previously and asked if I might pay a visit. I was to meet him at Franklin Stone Company where he was a watchman. It was a Sunday, the stone company was closed, and Mr. Crockett was substituting for another ailing employee. As I sat down and listened, I was taken back over a hundred years in Plott history. I hunted with the old-time, master bear hunters and their Plott dogs.

I came to know the strains and breedings of those hunters and how each differed in some small way from the others, and I came to walk the ridges, deep hollows, and stream bottoms of what was then virgin forest. As one who was fascinated with the breed and deeply interested in breed history, I was carried away with what he had to say. From that time on, I have felt like Moses encountering the burning bush

in Exodus Bible fashion. I must need remove my shoes for I was treading on holy ground.

I knew Mr. Crockett for roughly fifteen years before his passing, a time that was way too short. I visited as frequently as I felt was polite and hunted with him on a few occasions. I was amazed on that first outing when he skipped and jogged along Chunky Gal Trail, and he being in his late seventies!

I could only imagine what he was like in his prime when he hunted day long and often deep into night, when he slept in leaf piles, and ate dried fruit and parched corn. Many took their first and last hunt with him, for he was bad for white-eyeing folks who had not expected the rigors that often went with one of his hunts. And then, there were his dogs.

They were not run-of-the mill Plotts, rather they were rough looking, and some looked you over closely before you advanced.

I let Mr. Crockett do all the showing, I just stood back in admiration. These Plotts would not have won a bench show, treeing contest, or night hunt, they were not bred that way. But, they would aptly catch and hold a hog and bite a bear's butt until help arrived or it took to tree.

There were the Crockett dogs of the past: Leo, Sue, Grayboy, Rascal, Javelin, and Lummox among many. Leo was Evansbred and would tree squirrels by shaking a limb, run hogs by saying "soo-ee," or hunt bears by showing him a track. Lummox brought a killer hog to bay and nearly was killed himself but kept the aggressive boar at bay until a shotgun blast brought it down. Mr. Crockett was on the scene but only had a "piggin'

string." Then there were honored adversaries, the Big Santeetlah Boar, Old Ironsides, and the bear that was taken on the head of Slickrock by moonlight.

MR. CROCKETT AND GRAYBOY

Grayboy-there were at least three, maybe four by that name-and Spike were the last prime dogs of Mr. Crockett's career. I remember Spike distinctly and was privileged to see him up close. He was scarred in every possible place and had carried literally hundreds of stitches.

Mr. Crockett was among the last of a vanishing breed, he was the epitome of the old-time mountain hog and bear hunter. Others have followed, but they have modern high-tech devices for use and four-wheeled vehicles to take them places. It was a treat to know this man and to try and emulate him if possible.

To that end I have kenneled Crockett dogs since February 13, 1983. I hope to see him again sometime.

LONGVIEW-KELSO KENNEL CLUB INC. 4 AKC COONHOUND BENCH SHOWS March 2 & 3, 2024 Each Day: Show #1 entries close at 9:00, Judging at 10:00; Show #2 Entries close at 12:00, judging at 1:00. Entry Fee $20 per show.

Dogs may be AKC registered on site, bring UKC or PKC papers. Shows at the Clark County Fairgrounds, Ridgefield, Washington (exit 9 on I-5).

For more info contact Kathy Corbett 503-647-7485 or 503-680-1507 (cell) KathyCorbett644@gmail.com Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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A MENTOR STORY

Bluetick Nights

BY JACK TROYER

H

e hunted most every night, he was a bluetick man and the most dedicated man to his hounds, mules, and hunting that I knew.

Stony Troyer, my father taught me everything I know about hounds and hunting. I followed along with my dad from as early as I can remember. Dad would take my brother and I with him, as well as anyone else willing to come along.

Most nights he would ride one of his mules, Slats, Kate, Jim, or Jack. When I was younger, I would ride on the back with my dad and usually fall asleep. As I got older, I would get to ride my own mule, Kate was my favorite. On nights that dad said it was going to be a quick hunt we would just walk.

But we were usually still out half the night.

My dad raised old-style Vaughn and Smokey River blueticks. He bought his first dog from a Full 38

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

Cry ad when he was 14 years old and made my grandfather pick it up at the local train station. My grandmother sure was surprised that day, but it started a love for hound hunting for my dad and luckily for me too. My dad then started breeding dogs and selling the puppies. He took pride in breeding the dogs with the best qualities to make the best puppies he could, selling some of the puppies and selling some started dogs too.

My dad was a character and loved life, he always had a quick wit and would love to joke around with people. He loved taking people hunting and would always drag them out all night saying, “just over this next ridge, then we will be done” or “let’s hit that next little patch over there, then we will go back to the truck”. But most nights dad would be coming in when the sun was coming up, with his mule loaded down with coons.

Out of all the things my dad taught me, teaching me to be a houndsman is my favorite. I learned how to train pups, and how to finish a hound. He taught me how to read a hound in the woods and how to let the hound teach me to be a better houndsman. But one of my favorite things was how some nights we would sit on a log and just enjoy the silence of the night with the hounds in the background.

My fondest memories of my life are of being in the woods with my dad. Over the years we have had some good dogs, but a few of our favorites were Rambler, Sugar, Beauty, Trey, and Smiley.

I lost my dad almost 16 years ago in a logging accident when I was only 24. I still hunt descendants of the bloodlines he had as well as other hounds I have bought and bred. I hope to continue this family tradition, running blue dogs through the woods here in northern Maryland. I am blessed to have a son and daughters hunting with me now and they seem to love and enjoy this as much as I do. I know my dad would be proud of the hounds we have now and happy to know that we are carrying on a tradition of a dying breed. One day I will meet up with my dad again and get to hunt with him in the big woods in the sky and hopefully he will have more for me to learn when I get there.

A MENTOR STORY

Coonhounds, Banjos & the Walk of Life

BY CHRIS HERRING

H

ow does someone discover this sport we call coonhunting? I was born and raised in North Carolina in the suburbs. My parents did not have pets or hunt. However, my mother's dad and brother, John W. Sawyer & Harold Wayne Sawyer, from 3 hours away were avid houndsmen.

Grandpa was a houndsman hunting both rabbit and squirrel. Uncle Wayne coonhunted redbone coonhounds, he was my hero and this may be why I hunt redbones?

Visits would find me spending time with the dogs and following these men every chance I could get. I relished every chance I could visit and these hunts just stirred the fire in my heart to be just like them and have hounds of my own. I was lucky to have houndsmen in my family, but somewhat unlucky that the visits were few and far between.

One evening at church I noticed a dog box in the parking lot. I was intrigued and discovered it was our friends Junior and Peggy Coley.

A conversation ensued and lo and behold I had a local friend who was a houndsman. I was invited to join him for a hunt, then another, and another... Over the years I hunted with Junior Coley hundreds of times. The first night Junior took me I was struck by 2 items; his dogs were not red and the music in his truck was nothing like the music my friends at school listened to or the southern gospel my mother played in the house. I discovered two new breeds of coonhounds Treeing Walkers and Black n Tans and a new style of music called Bluegrass.

Junior taught me a lot about hounds. Examples include how to care for a dog, how to properly correct dog behavior, talking about and reading about coonhunting will never replace time in the woods with the dog, and how things like looks or breed don't matter as much when the dog performs properly and "shows you the meat". I could go on and on, the importance here is that he taught me MANY things some by his words but mostly by the example he set before me. Junior instilled in me a love for coonhounds, bluegrass, and the banjo. He took time to come pick me up before I was able to drive and take me to the woods. He saw that, just like a pup needs woods time, I needed to be in the woods to develop as a houndsman. In helping develop me as a houndsman we fostered a friendship and to this day he is still one of the best friends I've ever had. He was a good example to follow in the woods and in the walk of life.

The walk of life; for a houndsman that walk includes the woods that we utilize to chase our beloved hounds. However, it's bigger than that. Whether at the clubhouse, on a cast, taking a newcomer hunting or just giving advice it's important to understand that our impact through words and actions can shape the lives, in much bigger ways than just hunting, of those around us. I'm not just a houndsman today because of the example set by Junior Coley, I'm also a proponent of the sport, a participant in my local club and a banjo player ministering to those who are shut in at nursing homes.

I hope I can be like Junior and be a good example to follow in the woods and more importantly in the walk of life.

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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A MENTOR STORY

My First Houndsman

BY JERRY BARKER

I

titled this story my first houndsman, because the man I’m writing about was the first houndsman to fertilize my love for the hound. The love was there from the first time I heard the hounds in the woods, but was added to by several along the way.

To establish my connection with Leo (my first houndsman), my dad had two older brothers.

The eldest (James Leonard) was born in June of 1925 and died a hero serving our country in February 1945. My Dad was born in October 1945. I always felt robbed of the opportunity to know Uncle Leonard, as I’m sure my dad did as well.

John Bill was also my dad’s brother, born in June of 1927, he also served in WW 2. John Bill set me up with my first two hounds when I was eleven years old. Leo was born in September of 1924 and had a younger brother that was born in February of 1927. My Grandfather and Leo’s dad farmed together when Uncle Leonard, Uncle John Bill, Leo, and his brother were young. Leo had many stories of their childhood adventures that helped ease the pain of not knowing Uncle Leonard.

To describe Leo’s appearance, he was medium height with medium build, always wore bluejean overalls and a blue-jean coat 40

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

that we called a jumper. The bib of his overalls held a plug of “Bull of the Woods” chewing tobacco. My cousin and I tried to chew “Bull of the Woods” only to imitate Leo, as it was not very good. A pair of gum boots hid the bottom legs of his overalls. And a worn cap with ear-flaps covered his head and ears during cold weather.

Leo’s transportation for him and his hounds was a “ton truck” equipped with a set of wooden cattle racks which held the dogs.

I remember the training session with one of his hounds that had a bad habit of barking on the way to the woods. He hooked a long rope to the noisy dog and pulled the rope through the truck window. The idea was to yank the rope the instant the dog began to bark. What happened was a terrible dog fight when the other dogs got in the way. Should’ve seen that coming!

The first time I met Leo was when I was 9 years old. He and Dad were engaged in conversation on his front porch. I was always taught to listen and not interrupt adult conversation. I leaned quietly against the squared and varnished cedar porch post. Leo, I think mostly to draw me into the conversation, asked “Young man, what have you done today? ”To which I replied “Not much “. My answer offended my dad. I guess because it was a lie. The truth was the list of my accomplishments

that day would have rivaled Jerry Clower’s chore list in his story “A Coon Hunt“ which featured the professional tree climber John Eubanks. I heard that story first from Leo while coon-hunting.

“Shoot in amongst us ‘cause one of us got to have some relief “.

Another story Leo blessed me with was the one about the two bullfrogs that jumped into a bucket of fresh milk. One frog gave up in short order and drowned.

The other one that kept kicking floated to the top on a clump of butter created from all his kicking.

The moral of this story is keep on kicking and you’re bound to come out on top. I heard a similar version of this story later from Frank Abagnale Sr. in the movie “Catch Me If You Can“.

Leo shared my love for hounds as evident from the many tied and running loose in his yard.

Some that I remember were a High-tan named Smoky, a Bluetick that answered to Lead and a Red-Bone called Cry Baby.

There were many others.

We went hunting that night.

While walking along-side a small wood lot, Smoky came in. I didn’t notice anything about the hound nor his actions. But Leo said “I think those dogs caught ‘em a ‘possum.” Sure enough we walked less than seventy-five yards and found a dead ‘possum.

Leo’s ability to read his dogs appealed greatly to me. And I have strived for that ability since.

I have known several hounds and houndsmen since and each one has a place in my heart. If I could turn back time, I surely would love to take another hunt with every one of them. Another hunt with Leo would be at the top of the list. These are my memories of Leo, and like everyone’s “Uncle Si” my stories are 95% truthful.

A MENTOR STORY

The Man Who Loved Coonhounds

BY CONNIE DIVEN

I

t wasn’t until I saw the effect that the death of one of his hound hunting buddies had on my husband did, I question how he got interested in the sport of coon hunting. I had never heard of the sport when I first met him as he was a country boy and I was a small-town girl who was not around dogs, let alone those used for the sport of hunting. My husband said there were many great men that helped him in the raising and

training of coon hounds but his Uncle Winifred “Wink” Cockrell of Smithfield, North Carolina was his biggest influence.

Having been born and raised in Pennsylvania, he visited North Carolina often as his mom had met and married his father while he was stationed at Ft. Bragg (now Ft. Liberty) in Fayetteville, NC during the Korean War. He knew his aunts and uncles very well, but his curiosity turned

obsession, in hunting hounds began at an early age. Uncle Wink took him to the swampy Carolina low grounds to hunt, and to Candor, NC to attend water races and trade days where he was exposed to different breeds of coonhounds.

In those days racoons were scarce they often would shake the racoon out of the tree so that they could have another chase and it usually ended up in a den tree.

My husband doesn’t hunt much these days but does encourage young people to take up the sport. If anyone asks, he is willing to take them out and guide them. He is always willing to tell you stories of his glory days of hunting from his very first hound, a half black & tan and half redbone named Bucky to his present hounds.

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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HD's father hunted a variety of Hounds and he fell in going to the timber with his older brother and Pa about the time he could walk on his own in the swamps and mountains of Alabama at about 5.

He knew at an early age the value of the time out with his Father and brother and was taught to appreciate the beauty of what God had created in those woods while coming of age.

Old Time Pleasure Coon Hunters A Dying Breed

BY TARA CARDINAL

M

r. HD Turner was born on October 1st, 1933, in Hokes Bluff, Alabama, born to Robert and Nora Turner, the 7th child of 10. Life back then was simple but definitely not easy. Being part of a farming family meant long days of hard work to raise vegetables and sustenance for the humans and animals alike. It required due diligence and there was little time for fun and respite bedsides Coon Hunting and Church, maybe an occasional square dance or hog killin'.

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He would later go on to do the same with his own son, David, and took a great liking to hunting a Leopard Cur, named Bubba, that in his last year of life at nearly 13 years old, treed 123 raccoons by himself, which were harvested and happily eaten by locals and friends in the rural community.

Here coonin’ wasn't about wordy titles, shiny trophies, and big money. It was about the old traditions, time spent with family on God's masterpiece under the big old night sky and Alabama pines. It was also a way to survive, to literally feed families and make income on fur from traders and buyers. There was also a good reason that such time and effort was put into training and breeding that good old Hound blood that insured good, strong genes for generations of up-and-coming coon hunters that folks expected would always be replenished.

When I had the pleasure of speaking with HD recently, we both realized we had many things in common. He too has been published in Full Cry over 20 years ago with some amazing short stories. We could have talked 3 days about pleasure hunting, training pups, skinning bandits, and much much more but ultimately, he told me his best hunts were alone out there with God and Bubba, the Leopard Cur who would never let him down or have him climbing those mountains for nothing. He was a

solid hound that is truly missed, a once in a lifetime companion that knew his job and took it seriously.

Now, the mountains and swamps are nearly quiet around there. The cruel hand of time has taken its hold. Bubba is in the Coon Hound cemetery and HD hunted his last night alone back when he was about 86 and is now using a walker at age 90 after a broken hip and all the toil left by many years walking after those Hounds and Bandits. It has wreaked havoc on his knees but even after a triple bypass he remains strong and attributes that to the lifetime of hunting.

It seems the deer hunters insist the Coon Hounds will run every deer this side of the Mississippi out of the county and sadly the young folks don't seem to be bothered with Hound Hunting like they were once expected

to be. It takes deep pockets and loads of free time and land to get ahead in the hobby now for a rookie these days, I can speak to this first hand.

Sadly, like many things in our current chaotic world, the valuable, old things are slipping away.

But alas, some things will never change like the beauty of God's land and creatures, the sound a Hound makes deep and lonely on the trail of his prey and the love I have for old cooners like HD, who is now my adopted Grandaddy and Coon Hunting mentor as my own Grandfather and special buddy, Jack Coomer have passed on. I happily thank Full Cry for meeting! It brought HD and I together as he faithfully reads my stories and reached out to encourage me when I needed it most. God works in mysterious, wonderful ways.

While HD has quit going hunting alone, he reminds me that not a night goes by that he doesn't think about it and that gives me drive to keep pushing and desire to teach anyone willing to learn. One thing HD is very proud of is never selling a Hound but instead gifting to a youth hunter in need of a good dog. Living a gracious life comes with many rewards.

I can't wait to get these Hounds to Alabama to hunt with my good buddy, HD, Lord willing and the Creek don't rise I'm going to tree me an Alabama raccoon with his blessing.

Keep your Hounds hunting and enjoy what the Old Timers have to tell us. Slow down and listen and I'll bet you'll learn a thing or two.

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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These dogs work.

Nt. Ch. Lone Pine Eagle C843,820 GR. Nt. Ch. PR Robbins Finley River Eagle H447,533 Nt. Ch. PR Smith's Princess H313,837 Gr. Nt. Ch. PR Penna Hawker J229,981 Gr. Nt. Ch. PR Harrod's KY River Chief H223,600 PR Burns' Pennsylvania Ann H460,749 PR Rolling Fork River Ann H297,686 PR Lone Pine Dewey J757,763 Gr. Nt. Ch. Finley River Spike C772,715 Gr. Nr. Ch. Wolfes Tree Picking Bill C849,764 PR Duvall's Lone Pine Lady C673,910 Gr. Nt. Ch. PR Denny's Penna Jill H735,807 Gr. Nt. Ch. Gr. Ch. PR Spring Creek Rock H218,584 PR Beaver Lake Sandy H628,731 PR Beaver Lake Sally H431,009

Lets support this magazine.

I am thankful to the Duby family for giving new life to the Full Cry Magazine. My first experience with the Full Cry was when I was seventeen years old. I was born in 1939, the year Muriss and Estelle established the magazine. I first met Estelle in 1964 when I was traveling through her hometown of Sedalia, Missouri. She was one of the most gracious ladies.

My first experience with campaigning and promoting the treeing walker breed was when I purchased Finley River Spot and Finley River Chief in 1965. I am still breeding hounds that go back to Finley River Chief.

Many of the old timers will remember my old Lone Pine Dewey Dog. I still own a decendant of Dewey that is reproducing some outstanding offspring which I will have pups out of this spring.

JOHN J. MONROE 16954 Johnson Drive, Glenwood, Missouri 63541 Ph. 660-216-1121 44

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

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@treedogdoc

Hound Care & Public Perception The Tree Dog Doc's Plea for Responsible Animal Husbandry

I

Author’s note:

’m taking a deviation from my normal medical topics to address a growing concern for me. As a veterinarian, part of the oath we take is to “protect animal health and welfare,” and I hope you’ll indulge me as I focus on that aspect of my profession.

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Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

BY TAYLOR YOUNG, DVM

I don’t need to tell you that hound hunting is under attack. Bans going on ballots, shareholder groups convened to discuss “right to retrieve laws,” and the list goes on. There are things about hound hunting that we can’t make more palatable without it no longer being hunting. In the act of hunting with dogs, wild animals get chased and subsequently get killed.

You can’t cut that part out without it no longer being hunting. Is that the part many people have an issue with, though, especially after a little education? Are there things that we as a hound community do that shoot ourselves in the foot and add needless fuel to the fire?

I would argue that the answer is “yes.” Where I’m from, even amongst other non-hound hunters, dog hunters are looked on with suspicion at best, and outright hate at worst. Why, you ask? Stray hounds that are barely skin and bones circulating on Facebook lost and found groups, never to be claimed again. The influx of hunting dogs postseason into shelters, surrendered without explanation, but with everyone fully knowing that dog was this season’s cull. Yards full of dogs chained in the mud with moldy water buckets and trash for houses. I’ve seen it all with my own eyes, and I’ll bet you have, too.

The things that I read on social media that make me cringe, let alone if the anti-hunting public read it, are numerous. Advice like pouring burnt motor oil on the skin, stitching or stapling cuts with no pain medication or anesthesia, letting dogs be sick for far too long without veterinary intervention… I’d guess there’s a lot of you that are cringing along with me!

"Society is experiencing two large shifts that directly affect hound hunting"

I know that these examples are the extreme. The vast majority of hunters I know have a genuine desire to do the best they can for their dogs. They spend endless time, energy and money on thinking, planning and dreaming about their dogs. I think that even well-meaning people, though, can have blind spots, or fail to think through how others may perceive their actions. That is exactly what I worry about, and what I hope to get you thinking about as well.

Society is experiencing two large shifts that directly affect hound hunting. First, as we well know, is the continued disconnect of people from nature, let alone hunting. The second, that closely relates, is the change in status of animals. While rural living, hunting, and animals for food and business all used to be commonplace, the vast majority of society members no longer have those connections. In today’s world, a dog takes the place of having children, and its owners will center their entire lives around it, giving them their own bedrooms, insurance plans, and cooking their meals. If you think any of that’s an exaggeration, just check out social media you’ll find dogs with their “own” Instagram or Facebook accounts, living much cushier lives than you or I could ever dream of living!

As that trend continues, we will only be looked down upon further for having, what I think, is the proper view of animals.

Though I have dedicated a large portion of my life to animals, including at work and at play, they are not people. As a Christian, I believe God made man in His image, and made animals to glorify Himself and to serve us. They are not people, and will never be equal in value to any person, even the worst of us (though I surely have a hard time with that idea some days!).

Does that mean they can be treated with impunity and disrespect, though? Surely not.

Animals have the ability to feel pain, with very similar nervous systems, pain receptors, and avoidance tactics as you or I. They can feel hunger, thirst, fear and anxiety. If you’ve spent any time around a dog, you already know all of that.

And so, as we think about how to best represent hound hunting to a world that doesn’t understand, I want to challenge you, then, to a higher standard. Another Biblical idea is to avoid even the “appearance of evil.” Or, to put it in non-Biblical terms, be above board.

I don’t think that our goal should be to simply check all the boxes that keep our dogs alive and then shrug off the antis with flippant attitudes.

Whether you like it or not, how others perceive your care for your dogs is going to affect you, and not just you, but other hunters around you. We should give someone looking in from the outside no ammunition to use against us.

How, then, as a veterinarian and a fellow dog hunter, would I suggest we do that? There is an animal welfare concept (welfare is not the same as rights) called the Five Freedoms that have formed the basis of many animal welfare laws Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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and regulations. They are a great place to start when it comes to thinking of what an animal needs.

They are: 1. Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor

2. Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area 3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment

4. Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind 5. Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering1

Can a hunting dog kept on a chain when he’s not hunting meet these guidelines? Absolutely. Can a Poodle living an apparently pampered life indoors fail to meet these? Absolutely (especially 3 and 4). These are meant to give a general guideline to guide decisions for the care of animals, not as an absolute standard to meet.

Unfortunately, I see many hunters, even those that are well-meaning, that fail to meet these guidelines.

How can we use these guidelines, then, to meet my earlier challenge to 48

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be above board? How can we show the outside world that we care about our animals and deny anti-hunters the opportunity to use our own actions against us? It’s not difficult.

Keep your dogs clean, dry and warm.

Feed them high quality food and never let them be without fresh, clean water. Take them to the vet even when they aren’t sick, and use every prevention available to you to keep disease at bay. Treat injuries and illness promptly, and if you can’t fix it or afford to treat it, end their suffering with a humane, pain free death. Take them hunting as often as you can and let them express their normal behavior they were bred to do! If you’ve got too many dogs and can’t do all the above for each of them, responsibly rehome them with someone who can.

When you see your buddies aren’t living up to these standards, kindly but firmly challenge them on it. If they call you names or downplay your concerns, consider associating with new hunting buddies that you can be proud to have. Weed out those from the pack that treat their dogs as tools and not a living, breathing creature made by God. Treat everything you do with your dogs as though someone was standing behind you with a camera, ready to play it at the next polling place when your hunting rights are on the ballot. Is what they’re showing on the screen going to help us or hurt us? And remember,

again, that it's us, not you; your actions affect every other hunter around you, whether it's now or in the future. Care for your dogs in a way that you can be proud of with nothing to hide or excuse.

Don’t give those that would end our way of life another bit of info they can throw back in our face.

I hope that you will join me in deciding to be above board. Let’s do more than the minimum. Let’s be the example to other animal owners of how to care for our dogs. Do everything in your power to show others that you care for your dogs and want what’s best for them. I hope you and I can keep them hunting until the day we die and that our kids can, too, due to the actions we take today.

Wikipedia contributors. Five freedoms. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. November 17, 2023, 14:31 UTC. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/ index.php?title=Five_freedoms&oldid=1185555265.

Accessed January 1, 2024.

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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

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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GR NT CH TWIN CREEK STYLISH CHIP PHOTO CREDIT: DAN RANKIN

Canadian Tree Dog

Talking with Canada’s most devoted tree dog enthusiasts, and taking a look at hound life north of the border.

BY MICKEY SIDDLE

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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I

n this article we talk with Mr Burt Powers, Twin Creek kennels, Ontario. Enjoy!

Hello, I’m Burton Powers from Inwood, Ontario,Canada. I am a farmer, as well as having a full time off-farm job. I have been Coon hunting since I was 15 years of age. Competition hunting right from the beginning. “Where The Red Fern Grows” suckered me in!

I went over to Parkhill, Ontario, and bought a registered 7 month old, advertised in the London Free Press newspaper. “Sally” ran and treed coons, just common, didn’t make any titles. Next I got JD, and he was the full package! I got him to Dual Grand, and won 6th place, registered, at Autumn Oaks,as well as Grand Show champion. I competed with him until he was 7.

I competition hunt, but that goes hand in hand with pleasure hunting too. I enjoy travelling and competing in the USA, although the exchange rate on the dollar puts a limit on how much I can do.

I hunt big, flat farm country, with open patch woods. I hunt year round, most nights of the week. Taking a brief break in the heat of the summer, or the worst of the winter snow. I hunt from my Chevy truck or a Honda fourwheeler.

locator. But also, be clean in the kennel and quiet in the yard.

These things are non-negotiable.

‘Twin Creek Stylish Chip’. She was a lifer. I bought her at just under 2 years of age, from John Gossett, in Southern Indiana.

She stayed with me to the end of her days in her 12th year.

She reproduced a number of amazing hounds with titles. She was a pleasure in the yard, and our boys grew up with her and her offspring.

Many years ago, I scored 1600 + 400 circle points, at Owen Sound Autumn Open, hosted by Grey Bruce Nite Hunters, with my dog Missy. She just dominated the cast that night. The other guys actually withdrew. The next night she brought in 1300+. This is probably my most memorable hunt.

EXCERPT FROM THE POWERS FAMILY HISTORY BOOK

Burton has won the Canadian State Hunt Championship, 4 times with 3 different dogs as of 2020.

He hosts the PKC & UKC sanctioned event Nite Hunts and Bench Shows for Lambton Nite

Hunters, currently at the Twin Creek Shooting Preserve clubhouse.

Burt has had the position of Canadian State President for the Professional Kennel Club for several years now.

Burton has competed in Super Stakes with Crank, Jack, Chip, Sis(semi-finalist), Missy(semifinalist), and Daisy. He competes in regular Nite Hunts in both Ontario and the USA.

He does all of his own training and handling. As well as having been successful with a breeding program producing winning hounds initially in the Black and Tan breed and now with Treeing Walkers. “Chip” produced daughters “Missy”& “Sugar”, bred, born, raised and trained on his farm. Along with many other offspring owned by Canadian and American hunters. Plus granddaughter “Daisy” raised and trained at his home.

Burton has been published in the Ontario Out of Doors magazine for his breeding program information, as well as the Prohound magazine numerous times for his dogs wins.

I prefer Treeing Walkers that are ‘Clover’ bred. Our breeding program was built with Clover-bred walkers, and I still look for that blood when selecting new stock.

For me, they have to go hunting by themselves. And tree a coon by themselves and be an accurate 54

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

2X CANADIAN STATE HUNT CHAMPION NT CH SH CH TWIN CREEK MISS SMITH. PHOTO CREDIT: DALE HAINER, OUTDOOR SPORT MEDIA

“In discussion with Burt while going through all these questions and the info at the bottom from our family history book. He said “19 titled dogs…is that it?”

I said in your 37 years of hunting, that is 1 dog titled out every 2 years or less. I feel it is impressive. He has a high bar of expectation for a high calibre dog. Many dogs have come through the kennel and found a new address lol. So he has owned many more that 19 dogs in 37 years.

Thanks for the opportunity”

GR NT CH SH CH TWIN CREEK JAMES DUKE “JD”

- Robin Powers (Burt’s wife)

BURT’S TITLED DOGS

(at least those he can remember!)

NT CH Twin Creek Sarah

NT CH Huffs Midnight Toby

GR NT CH Twin Creek Splitting Ax

NT CH Twin Creek Lockdown Lace NT CH Twin Creek Crank

NT CH Twin Creek Stylish Jack

GR NT CH Twin Creek Stylish Chip

Canadian State Hunt Champion GR NT CH Twin Creek Stylish Koda NT CH Twin Creek Stylish Lily

NT CH Twin Creek Stylish Hoss NT CH Twin Creek Grace

NT CH Twin Creek Stylish Sis

NT CH Twin Creek Chicken Bone Charlie NT CH Twin Creek Stylish Hector

2x Canadian State Hunt Champion NT CH, SH CH Twin Creek Miss Smith

Canadian State Hunt Champion GR NT CH Twin Creek Stylish Sugar NT CH Twin Creek Daisy Duke NT CH Twin Creek Curly

MICKY’S NOTE I feel that anyone who appreciates the great amount of time and effort involved in raising and training a competition prospect, will understand that this is indeed a great achievement. It requires a clear understanding of what exactly your looking for in a young dog, and to be 100% honest with your judgement of them, and not to settle for anything less. And perhaps above all, having that love of the sport, of the woods and the game we pursue. Finding consistent enjoyment throughout the whole process over the years. Mr Burton is a credit to the hound dog world.

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@authorbobplott

Strike & Stay

Independent Plott Dog Views & News From Across the Country and Around The World

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lottFest was held October 5 thru 8 in Canton, N.C., not far from where Henry Plott first settled (before moving a few miles west to Plott Creek) in Haywood County called Dutch Cove.

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

BY BOB PLOTT

We had hoped that Canton would become the permanent home for PlottFest but that is not to be. The event was successful; we had close to 60 dogs there (good for a first event) and all the usual UKC field events and bench show on Saturday, October 7. It was nevertheless, the wrong time of year and the wrong location for the event.

We were concerned about this from day one, but the town insisted on this date and provided much needed funding, so we went along with it for a trial run. Despite our concerns, we gave it our best shot just to get it going again. In hindsight, that was a mistake, but one that we won’t make again. With the help of some great sponsors, I am happy to announce that we will be moving the 2024 PlottFest, back to where it all began, the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds in Maggie Valley, N.C.

The date for the PlottFest 2024 will be April 27-28, pending approval from the town board. I had hoped to do it in May but this was the only spring date they had open. I did not want to go in the dog days of Summer, or during training and kill season later in the year. So, I think this will work just fine.

I am truly thrilled about this, as we finally have a permanent home, right in the cradle of Plott breed history. There will be all the usual UKC sanctioned baying and treeing events, as well as bench show. several interesting historical programs on these topics presented too—and we will have the usual custom-made trophies for all event winners, along with the Methven Award winner, the R.H. Plott Memorial Award,

"We had folks from 19 different states and Canada this year, and hopefully, we will exceed that amount in 2024. Perhaps Bear Siragusa and his The Hunting Hound Podcast, will be able to join us from Norway in 2024 too, making it an international event"

and the Person Doing the Most for the Plott Breed Award, and the second year of a new award, The Captain George Plott Memorial Patriot Award. Cory Plott will provide these custom, handmade trophies.

I will be doing a Plott dog program as well as selling and signing books and we will have more vendors, food, music and crafts than you can shake a stick at. Let’s not forget that this festival will have something for everyone—music, crafts, food etc. We will be announcing our musical line up soon, so please stay tuned for that.

And in keeping with all of our events, we strive for PlottFest to have the feeling of a true family reunion, where ALL Plott enthusiasts are welcome— hunters, non-hunters, show people, and just pet owners— ALL are welcome, as we feel it is very important to educate non-hunters in who we are and the value of our sport to the environment, as well as in wildlife management control.

We also plan to do our regular Plott Breed legends round table discussion—this has proven to be especially popular with folks attending the event, and we might get Danny Long to do an entire program on his own in 2024!!!

We had folks from 19 different states and Canada this year, and hopefully, we will exceed that amount in 2024. Perhaps Bear Siragusa and his The Hunting Hound Podcast, will be able to join us from Norway in 2024 too, making it an international event.

Bear unfortunately had to cancel his trip this year due to illness in his family which was certainly understandable.

Our event website is www. mountainmemoriesproductions. com.There is also a PlottFest 2024 Facebook page you can monitor as well.

Now, let’s review some highlights of the 2023 event.

First of all, thanks to all who soldiered thru the weather. It was blustery and windy the entire weekend, temps never got out of the 50’s and winds were gusting at 30 to 40 MPH. It was cold! But aside from a brief shower on Thursday night, the skies were clear and the sun was out the rest of the weekend. So we made the best of it.

Thanks to Gary Bowen, Kevin Parrish and Joel Garris, we were able to do 1, 2, & 3 dog mechanical bear bays, and 1, 2, & 3 dog coon tree events too.

I don’t have the entire list of winners in front of me, but a few really stood out, and pretty much everyone on this list won some event, or in some cases, multiple events.

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Multiple event winners included Tammy and Tommy Cobb and their fine Chauga Ridge Plotts and my cousin, Jesse Plott, and his Hicks bred dog, Whiskey—a truly superb male. Kayla Williams of Robbinsville and two of her fine Plotts placed high in almost all events, as did dogs owned by Gary Bowen and Kevin Parrish just to name a few. Dee Little won most of the UKC bench show accolades including Best of Show and deservedly so.

James MaCaskill and his lovely wife, sponsored a Plott puppy raffle, which was a huge success.

Gary Baity graciously donated hundreds of pounds of Pride Dog food and multiple prizes that were raffled off. I can never thank Gary Baity, Gary Bowen and Gene Walker enough for all their support, hard work and friendship.

Our annual Plott breeders Round Table was as usual, a big hit—and included Gary Bowen, Gary Baity, James MaCaskill, and Eugene Walker. Danny Long had to leave early or he would have been up there. I couldn’t get Danny Fisher on stage—but maybe we will get them to join us next time, as this is always fun and entertaining.

I enjoyed doing a Plott history program and followed it up with our special awards list winners.

The winners this year were: Methven Big Game Award: Gary Bowen

Robert Henry Plott Memorial Award: Roy Clark PlottFest Hall of Fame: Eugene Walker 58

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"I had to laugh, when I heard that story; Can you imagine a bear getting anywhere near the homes and dogs of Von Plott, Sam Plott, John and Little George Plott back in the glory days of Plott history? They would not have lasted long, that’s for sure"

Capt. George E. Plott Memorial Award: Gary Bowen

Person Doing Most for the Plott Breed: Gary Baity

Festival Leadership Awards were presented to Zeb Smathers, Pat Smathers and Mike McLean.

And of course, all these winning trophies were custom made pieces of art, hand crafted by my cousin, Cory Plott, the great, great, great grandson of Robert Henry Plott. I can never thank Cory enough for he does so to support us. Not only is he an incredible artist, but he is an even better person!

All in all, for a new event, in a new location, at a bad time of year with questionable weather, the event was a success. Thanks to Wayne Ebinger for the great

photos too. We are excited to move it permanently back to Maggie Valley in 2024 and need your support to make it successful. Please make plans now, to join us on April 27, 2024 at the magnificent festival grounds in Maggie Valley

Now, let’s move on to our hunting report. With my questionable health, I was unable to hit the field this year, although I did run the roads some to just listen to dogs. But honestly, while I love to hear them, I just can’t bear not being able to run them. So, I don’t know if I will go back out this year or not— please note, that I am writing this article in late October 2023.

But with all that being said, the weather has been spectacular for hunting, dry and warm, but finally turning cold this week with frost—perfect hunting weather! Mast crop is big, so bears are not having to range far for food.

This can be good or bad depending on where you are hunting, as in some cases it makes for easier access to them, while in others it means you have to go deeper to find the wily bruins.

But one thing is for certain, there is no shortage of bears in North Carolina. I saw one dead on the 4 lane near Balsam Gap a week ago, and some relatives on Plott Creek told me that a sow and two cubs came thru the school yard last week; where we dedicated the Plott Marker back in 2009.

I had to laugh, when I heard that story; Can you imagine a bear getting anywhere near

the homes and dogs of Von Plott, Sam Plott, John and Little George Plott back in the glory days of Plott history? They would not have lasted long, that’s for sure.

Back to hunting reports: Ken Ross reported that he and the great Roy Clark have been having great success in Tennessee as their kill season opened before North Carolina. Ken just returned from hunting up north with Roy and the boys too, and plans to hunt in the swamps near his home in eastern N.C. later this season as well.

Ken also shared some pics of a recent litter of pups that came from one of his dogs and one of Roy’s—all pure Clark stock. It was big litter, all of them healthy, and with two of the prettiest buckskin pups that you have ever seen. On a separate note, James MCaskill’s recent litter had two pretty buckskins too. But I digress- sorry, you know I love the buckskins.

Roy and Robert Stiles are also having their usual stellar year, as is Chad Woodruff. Chad had planned to attend PlottFest, but his dogs struck a trail while training that morning and they ended up being out all day. I certainly understand that. And I know that Gary Bowen and Kevin Parish are hitting it hard down east too!

Please send me any photos and hunting stories you’d like to share and we will get them in our next issue. Until next time, may God richly bless you, your family, friends and dogs in all that you do. Good hunting, my friends!

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STONEWALL828.com Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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HIGHLAND LLEWELYN AT 7 MONTHS OLD

Highland Tree Dogs Nova Scotia’s Versatile Canine Hunters

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reetings from the Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia.

Our early winter season has provided more good grouse and coon hunting with the dogs, than bobcat hunting!

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

BY MICKEY SIDDLE

However, we did manage to jump two separate cats while busting through some good hare and grouse cover, despite a lack of snow. The first bobcat of the season gave Raven and Gooseberry a fast-paced race around the thicket, before he bolted up hill onto a large boulder pile. He ducked and dived in and out, causing the dogs to mark at several places.

Then at the turn of dark, I found a single track in a small patch of snow that showed where this crafty ol’ cat left the rocks, over a small ledge above the boulders.

Whenever a bit of snow fell, we were ready to roll, and this got us covering the miles in the hope of cutting a bobcat track.

Upon finding a female cat track one morning, we decided to hold the older dogs back, so that our 13 month old female ‘Turbo’, could have a go on her own. Like the silent shadow of a panther, she slipped into the thick cover under the spruce and balsams. On she went, in silence, following the track with good speed. After about 2 miles she let out her ‘War Cry’ a blood curdling yodel, that pierced the

"After lunch the older dogs, along with Turbo, ran a big Tom bobcat track that we estimated was two days old, after a grueling 8 mile cold trail, he was jumped and circling!"

dark woods and sent shivers down my spine!

She had the cat jumped and was now running with full intent.

‘Yip yip yip, yeeaoooww, yip yip’!

Around the thicket she would run.

I scrambled and pushed my way in there, and saw the cat several times up close, as it circled, ducking and dodging all the while. Each time, Turbo would come on through getting closer and closer with each circuit. She doesn’t straddle the track after the jump, instead her instincts tell her to keep the pace up by cutting corners, drifting and crossing the track, all the time applying forward pressure.

She then let out another ‘Eeeeoooww’ and opened up into the steady rhythm of fast chop barks as she cornered the cat under some dense spruce cover.

I was so thrilled to witness the whole hunt, and to see how proud of herself she was with her catch.

After lunch the older dogs, along with Turbo, ran a big Tom bobcat track that we estimated was two days old, after a grueling 8 mile cold trail, he was jumped and circling! I saw him a couple of times, he was a big and beautiful cat. Darkness was falling and this fine cat managed to keep a himself going for long enough, as I had to gather the dogs and call it a day.

I really admire these crafty and slippery ol’ tom cats, they will test your dogs in a great many ways!

Over in Montana, Tate has made a start on cat season, and sent me the following report about his pup from the Raven X Ferguson litter, who has now been on 4 lion hunts.

“The first hunt was a tom lion, Brew didn’t leave with the pack, just all new to him. But the lion later got wounded and all the pack

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HIGHLAND TURBO WITH HER CAT

HIGHLAND RAVEN OUT CAT HUNTING

HETZEN TREED

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was sent away again, and along went Brew, where they all had him bayed up on the ground!

On the second hunt, he left with the pack, but fell out at a river crossing. He followed us to the tree and got to have a good chew on this lion. The third hunt he went with the pack and this time they went 15 miles. I eventually called the race off as they had gotten into a bad place at dark, and I barely got myself out!

The fourth hunt he was gone with the pack again and they put on 17 miles until the pack got cliffed out. I went to get them and didn’t make it back to the truck until 8pm! But he hung with them, very cool. We love his personality, and will be twisting your arm for another one soon.”

Lets hope the rest of the winter season is also full of the thrills and adventures that can only

be found in the great outdoors, with good people and our faithful canine companions.

And lastly, I wanted to put forward an idea to the tree-dog world. I have been on a long and rocky road on this journey to find my ideal versatile hunting dog. I found it harder than expected to locate the true multi-purpose cur dogs that were certainly held in very high regard, up until recent times.

Most strains within the breeds have become more and more specialized. I think it would be possible to build a list or database, that contains detailed profiles of dogs that have proven their abilities over a range of different hunting activities. In addition to listing versatile dogs, we could run a list for bobcat dogs too, as these special dogs often possess a wider range of traits than the average cur or hound, and can be harder to find.

Furthermore we could use the data, to analyze success rates of litters, and to help recognize pre-potent reproducers. This information could help us network between other folks that value similar traits for versatility and/ or bobcat. If you have an interest in preserving versatility, bobcat dogs, or any special dogs that prove themselves truly multi-purpose, or able to reproduce these traits, please reach out to me via the email address above, and tell me whether this idea could be of good use to you (or how badly it sucks)!

Some folks are saying that times are a’changing? Well, if they are changing towards harder times, then certainly, the multipurpose dog will once-again be considered valuable.

Stay safe out there folks, hope you all have great winter season.

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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Buckley Farm Kennels

BY STEVE BUCKLEY

H

ello fellow hunting dog family and friends. Here we are into 2024. Time sure does fly and it seems every year it goes by faster. This morning we are sipping on a cup of coffee and happily waiting on the effect.

Generally, I do not drink coffee but today is one of those days. As a youngster there wasn’t a day went by that I did not awake to the smell of my parents brewing coffee. They always had a pot and always drank it black. Something I just cannot do, of course their generation did not have creamers, or was able to afford all the additions of today.

Those Maxwell cans (all they drank) served many purposes after being emptied of coffee grounds.

Dad would have them hanging at the barn full of nails, the wrens would always make nests in them.

But now Stevie, what they called me had a different use. Those big Maxwell house cans were perfect to fill with a night's catch of night crawlers and I used them often for that. It is funny how as I get older the most incredibly small thought can trigger memories of yesteryear.

We had an outstanding season for 2023 and will attach some of the hunts. Our Buckley Farm Kennel’s dogs is our passion and the dogs we keep take roots back into the hills and deep hollers of Eastern Kentucky. Before the age of intranet, forums, Facebook there was word of mouth and people would come from miles to breed to a good Prick Eared Mountain Feist.

In the Appalachia Mountain range these dogs were highly

sought after to not only provide table fare but also were farm dogs. I am proud to say I continue to hunt that line of dogs that my grandfather hunted over 100 years ago. Back then squirrel dogs were as common as horses, mules and families couldn’t get by without them. Today most haven’t a clue of what line breeding or outcrossing means. This worries me for the future for all dog lines but thankfully there is some of us that take great pride in both the dogs we hunt and the offspring they reproduce.

We love to hunt our dogs and made many trips this past season with our lifelong friend Jim Ousley.

Both of us have a very busy work schedule but made the time to hunt our dogs. I let Jim have Chief Crazy Horse that is out of our Willy Wonka and Little Debbie.

He is heavy line bred Buckley and quite the young dog. On one of our trips he brought vegetable beef soup and I brought Chili. Each day we would warm this up on our Coleman stove and have a nice tail gate lunch. Best of all we got to observe a lot of dog work and sling quite a lot of lead.

In summary friends our dogs and traditions are our passion. The future depends on all of us!

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OVERALL HUNT CHAMPION NITECH ‘PR' WIP3OUT 3SUM JAILC3LL

Grand American Hunt

BY DANI DUBY | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ASHLEY MOSS

T

he 60th Grand American Hunt was held in Orangeburg, SC as a truly grand way to start the year. The two day event was packed full of hunters, dogs, and all things hounds. Perhaps what makes this event “Grand” is just the sheer magnitude of numbers: Friday Night 301 dogs and their handlers hit the woods. Saturday Night 267 dogs showed up for a second night of fun. The event included so much more than just a competition hunt to occupy the 30,000+ attendees.

Treeing contests, Confirmation shows, Dog Sale Barns, and 109 vendors slinging all things hound.

To make the final cast on Saturday the dogs had to be a double cast winner- winning their casts on both Friday and Saturday night. Saturday’s final cast ultimately came down to 4 dogs from the state of South Carolina 66

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

with NITECH 'PR' Wip3out 3Sum JailC3ll a Treeing Walker owned and handled by Shaun Welch taking home the hardware. This dog posted an impressive 975+ on Friday night, taking home first place for that night also.

As the overall hunt winner Shaun took home a few things more than bragging rights. He also received: $1000 from the Grand American, $500 from Carolina Coon Hunters Supply, $500 from the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds Board, a Heatseeker light from Bright Eyes, Alpha 300I from Garmin, Dog box from Big River Hunting Supply, $100 gift certificate from GT's Hunting Supply, a pair of Yoder hip waders, a custom embroidered jacket from Dan's Hunting Supply, and 6 bags of Purina Pro Plan from Purina and Tractor Supply.

The 2024 Grand American Final 4 was judged by Nelson Gibbons,

Mendel Miller, Daniel Felker and guided by Kevin Collins, Riley Godwin, Robert Brown

OVERALL HUNT CHAMPION NITECH ‘PR' Wip3out 3Sum JailC3ll, TW, Shaun Welch, SC, Shaun Welch, 225+ CW

2ND PLACE - GRNITECH ‘PR’ Mafia’s Slinging Sister, TW, Doug Shuler, SC, Josh Deloach, 200+

3RD PLACE NITECH ‘PR’ Little Swamp’s Mad Max, TW, Stephen Shinaberry, SC, Stephen Shinaberry, 0 4TH PLACE - ‘PR’ Bust ‘Em Up Buster, TW, David Cox, SC, Dylan Cox, 50-

If you have not made it to this event, put it on your calendar for next year, there's nothing like it!

ROWAN WELCH CELEBRATES HIS DAD BRINGING HOME THE HARDWARE.

3RD PLACE NITECH ‘PR’ LITTLE SWAMP’S MAD MAX

2ND PLACE - GRNITECH ‘PR’ MAFIA’S SLINGING SISTER

4TH PLACE - ‘PR’ BUST ‘EM UP BUSTER Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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BELLAR'S GET A HEAD LITTLE RED

Living Legend Russ Bellar Legend /ˈlejənd/(noun)

a famous or important person who is known for doing something extremely well

T

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Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

he word Legend is used quite a bit in our sport.

So in this month's article I decided to look up the definition of Legend.

BY DON NICELY

In this case the term Legend is rightfully used. This man is truly a living legend. Other legends would have been happy to have achieved 10% of what he has accomplished. Most would probably be happy with 5%. In our sport one of the pinnacles is to own a World Hunt Champion.

10% of what this man has accomplished in owning World Hunt Champions would be Two Plus World Hunt Champions. 5% would be One Plus World Hunt Champions.

It doesn't matter what registry it was because Russ Bellar always shows up with a hound capable of winning that World Hunt.

Russell Bellar is a very successful businessman. The problem with being successful in whatever you do is that some people aren't going to like your success. Without even knowing you they talk like they do. To those types of people I pay little

"When a new person comes on the scene and starts taking the spotlight away from people that have been accustomed to having it shining on them, they may not be real happy about the new circumstances"

attention most of the time you will be listening to a jealous person.

A person with the success of Russ Bellar deserves and needs an article that is probably a 2 or 3 part article. Right now I want to talk about a True Living Legend and how I see him from information friends of his have shared and my own observations.

When Russ Bellar came on the scene of competition he came on to win. To win consistently you have to have a good dog and you have to know the rules, and you need a little luck, maybe sometimes a lot of luck. To own as many World Hunt Champions as Mr. Bellar has owned he definitely knows what it takes.

I suspect when he or his handlers goes to the woods that night that he/they aren't your friend. But I bet after the cast is over that win or lose he would buy you breakfast.

When a new person comes on the scene and starts taking the spotlight away from people that have been accustomed to having it shining on them, they may not be real happy about the new circumstances.

He has owned numerous hounds that have won the ACHA World Championship so is the tie with the Legends Of ACHA. But there is more to it than that.

1986 UKC WORLD CHAMPION BELLAR’S PAC-MAN

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with him. I won't share some of the things I have heard for two reasons. Firstly, I haven't asked permission. Secondly, it's really nobody's business.

With that said, I wish I could, simply because it shows what type of man he really is. If you were ever a fan or know anything about Elvis Presley he was always doing special things for people. I dare say if you are good friends with Russell Bellar you really have a friend.

1982 ACHA WORLD CHAMPION KENTUCKY RIVER STRIKER

I feel he probably loves the history that belongs only to ACHA.

in this hunt since he donated the $10,000.00.’

When ACHA was starting to give cash as part of the payout in the ACHA World Championship Mr. Bellar donated $10,000.00 for prize money. I know that was the amount he donated because I cashed the check to get the money for the winner.

The hunt is actually being held in his front yard and he donates $10,000.00 for prize money.

Yet he doesn't hunt. That says a whole lot to me about this man and it should to anyone else. It shows a Man who is not selfish and will give up a chance to win another World Championship Title because what some jealous people might say if he had?

Why wouldn't he? Part of that history is 1982 ACHA World Champion Kentucky River Striker.

A lot of people say they love ACHA and the history it has but Russ Bellar did more than talk about his love for ACHA.

He refused to hunt a dog in that hunt and it was literally in his front yard. It wasn't because he didn't have the dog power to win it that he didn't hunt. Now this is me right here, 'it was because he did have the dog power to win it and he thought it would be best that he didn't hunt 70

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Now think about that for a minute. A man owns a dog (s) good enough to win a World Championship.

For just a minute put yourself in his shoes. Who else would have done that? If you want to know what kind of man Russ Bellar is think about this right here. It speaks volumes.

I have talked to good friends of Russ Bellar and some that barely know him but have interacted

After all these years in the sport I will be very surprised if Russ Bellar doesn't add another World Hunt Champion or more to his resume before he hangs up his light. For sure, and I truly believe this, if you see a Russ Bellar dog entered at a World Championship that dog will be capable of winning.

I am including a small percentage of pictures of dogs he has owned that have won World Championship Titles. Also including a picture of Get Ahead Lil Red because she meant so much to him. There is no telling how much winning she would have done if she hadn't gotten killed so young. I hope this article helps people who don't actually know him gain an insight on what kind of man Russell Bellar is.

1981 & 1982 PCA (PKC) WORLD CHAMPION MOFFETT’S W.C. DEAMON

2006 AKC WORLD CHAMPION BELLAR'S GABBY

1ST PLACE 1980 ACHA WORLD HUNT EASY GOIN EILEEN

2010 GRAND AMERICAN CHAMPION BELLAR’S GET A HEAD LITTLE RED

2007 UKC WORLD CHAMPION BELLARS JANICE JOPLIN Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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PHOTO CREDIT: HANNAH CHAPMAN

Black Powder Coon

BY JUSTIN CAIN

A Night of Coon Hunting Adventures

J

osh and I met at the Vereyken Farm at eight to hunt raccoon with Meshach. It was a cold night and the moon was almost completely full. Some old men say not to hunt coon with a full moon, but we went anyway. I knew a place just across Brown’s creek where there was a pile of coon tracks.

The creek was very deep so we found a beaver dam to creep across. It was a bit sketchy because it was constructed of five or six pieces of large woody debris held together only by leaves and silt the beaver used as mortar. Meshach walked across on the same bridge as Josh and I. We made it across and walked Meshach to a flat bottom of pole size red maple and sweetgum in one to three inches of standing water. We turned Meshach loose 72

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in the place where I saw all the tracks before. After about seven minutes she treed back over near the beaver dam where we crossed.

We walked to a sixty-foot-tall sugarberry tree not far from the creek. We looked in the tree for twenty minutes before we pulled her off of it. There were too many leaves to tell for sure if any game was in the tree. We took her back over to the flat bottom, but went further in this time to keep her from going back to that same tree.

Twenty minutes after the second time we turned loose, Meshach treed again. Just prior to her treeing Josh said, “she’s hunting now.” He was right. We walked two hundred yards to an upland stand of white oak and yellow-poplar sawtimber. Josh immediately saw the coon in a towering white oak. I asked Josh if he wanted to knock it out. He said yeah so I pulled a 5’’ barrel H&R 22LR pistol out of my overall front pocket.

He questioned my weapon choice, “you didn’t bring a rifle?!”

I replied, “no, because she kept treeing empty trees last time we went so I didn’t really think she would tree one.” I steadied the sights on the coon fifty feet up the tree in a large limb next to the bole. The pistol went off and only made a sound about oneeighth of the normal volume one would expect from a short barrel 22 pistol.

It sounded like a knee slap or someone dropping a magazine on a wood floor. The third shot sounded normal but missed.

This was a challenging task. The fourth shot struck the coon (we thought). His head turned and he lay motionless. Josh said sadly, “he’s dead… he’s stuck.” We were upset because we thought he was dead and we could not get him down.

I shot the remainder of the nine rounds at the coon, but only one more fired as it should. The others were duds. They were cheap Remington Thunderbolt bullets. The coon was lodged between the bole and the large limb. This took the wind out of our sails. Josh debated climbing the tree, but there were not enough limbs. We also considered going to get a self-climber that was nearby, but decided the tree was too big for the climber.

We needed to get the coon down to show Meshach that she did a fine job. I beat on the tree real hard with a large dead limb like Andrew Jones warming up in the on-deck circle. Josh heard a sound and exclaimed, “he’s coming down.” We looked up and the coon was not where it was before. It was not dead. It had moved up the tree. We never saw it again.

We went back towards the creek through a mass of blackberry and yellow-poplar regeneration. We were looking for a humongous dead sycamore tree that lays across Brown’s creek so we could cross. I knew the tree was there because I crossed it during turkey season to look for a coyote I shot at. We trampled through a patch of privet until we found the sycamore.

Josh crossed and then I crossed. The huge stem was getting old so it was really shaky.

It’s probably four feet off the water. One misstep could make for a really cold night. Meshach got about three-quarters the way across, then she stopped at a limb and whimpered. Josh went back across to guide her around the limb.

On the creek bank we followed a deer trail out. We heard a loud pop and saw a big beaver tail slapping the water. We tried one more place around the empty pond. Meshach walked around with us like she was not even hunting. Then, she went up to an open grown white oak on the pond bank and barked with a halfway committed tone.

"When the smoke cleared our ears were ringing loudly and we could see a dead coon in the tree that fell shortly to where Meshach was waiting" We shined the tree and she barked a little more. On a low hanging limb I saw a coon peep around the corner at me then

vanish. Josh climbed up in the tree to look for the coon while I ran back to the house to get a gun out of my truck. All I had in there was a loaded 50 caliber Thompson Center muzzleloader.

The next day was opening day of black powder season in the central region. When I ran back through, deer were jumping out of beds south of the pond like fleas in a cat’s fur. I made it up to the pond. Josh had some bad news. He still had not located the coon. I went to the other side of tree and I told Josh to cut the lights off. I could see the coon’s silhouette positioned perfectly above Josh in the tree where he could not be seen.

We maneuvered around to where we felt like we could safely shoot the 50 caliber away from any homes. Josh shined the light on my weapon of choice and laughed. I steadied my aim and squeezed on the coon’s vitals.

When the smoke cleared our ears were ringing loudly and we could see a dead coon in the tree that fell shortly to where Meshach was waiting. She did a fantastic job.

Josh and I were very proud of the dog. I got a razor-sharp Buck 110 out that I skinned a doe with the night before. Josh and I skinned the fresh coon with ease. The hide peeled off like a clementine skin on Christmas morning. I put the fresh pelt on my head and ran home like a wild trapper. I shot a doe with the muzzleloader the next day.

Shooting the coon with the muzzleloader was actually an effective way to double-check the zero. We went coon hunting again the next night, but we carried a Marlin 39A 22LR Rifle and a 870 shotgun instead of a muzzleloader.

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www.markzepp.com

WITH

MARK ZEPP “Someday I am going to have a house nice enough to hang these in!”

T

hirty-five years ago, just north of where County Road B and 177 intersected, I got permission to do some coyote calling. That was pretty easy to do back then. Fur prices were low, predator calling was not popular, and most folks were skeptical that anyone could actually call a coyote with any regularity. So, as long as you were on their property after deer season and might possibly even scare a coyote off their property for a few hours, you were welcomed.

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I had started predator calling when I first entered high school.

Back then, it was certain you’d spend Thanksgiving break coon hunting every night, but by Christmas break, there might be a foot of snow on the ground with super cold weather, so running the dogs was out of the question, and red fox were high, around $70 - $80 apiece. In the '70s, that was, right behind coon hunting, the next best way “to get rich”.

I parked my vehicle out by the road and had several hundred yards to walk as the sun was just easing up out of the east.

It was bitter cold. I hopped a

fence, maybe went fifteen yards, and for some reason turned back around towards the fence.

There on the ground, right on top of each other, was a set of enormous sheds. I had seen and been around a lot of big deer growing up outside of Warsaw, Ohio, but this rivalled anything I had ever had a shot at.

At the time, I was living in a single-wide trailer that had a party line for a phone and hauled my own water into the place. It surely wasn’t too fancy, but it was home, and I was living out my dreams working for John and Linda Wick and the Wick Outdoor Works Team.

“Someday I am going to have a house nice enough to hang these in,” I promised myself as I held the antlers in my hands. It took a while, a few decades and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of windshield miles, but I was happy with the results when I picked them up at the taxidermist last summer and hung them up on a wall worthy enough for such a beast. Wyatt and I got them up high, and it would take a full month before my wife would actually notice them.

“Anything after two weeks has to stay, that’s the rule,” I said with a smile. There are a few other mounts on the wall that have special memories and meanings, but none sport a larger rack than sheds from the horse trader's farm.

Happy New Year and Good Hunting to you all!

- Big Mark

OUR SON WYATT HOLDING THE SHEDS RIGHT BEFORE I DROVE THEM OVER TO DANNY AT WOODSIDE TAXIDERMY IN MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA

THESE SHEDS STAYED IN A BOX WITH OTHERS I HAVE FOUND OVER THE YEARS UNTIL RECENTLY

THE FINAL RESULTS UP ON THE TOP LEFT UP OF THE WALL WITH A FEW OTHER DEER MOUNTS

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Book Corner

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his guest book review was provided by Bernie Walker from North Carolina. We thank him for his contribution and thoughts!

Ernest Hemingway said Russell Annabel was the best outdoor writer he ever knew. Annabel wrote form the late 1940’s to the early 1970’s and spent most of his life in Mexico. Most of his stories

appeared in Sports Afield. Dogs were always on the periphery of his writings about the outdoor, but they were still an essential part of them.

His tales were full of humor and situations that had to be true because they were too crazy to be fiction. Volumes one and two were about his time as a trapper / hunter and guide in Alaska with his mentor

Tex Cobb. Most of Volume three is about his time in Mexico.

All of his stories are classics and can be enjoyed by everyone.

If you know a book on hunting with dogs that deserves recognition, please email us at publish@fullcrymag.com

Title: Adventure is in my Blood Volumes 1, 2, & 3 Author: Russell Annabel Original Publication Date: 1997 Availability: Readily Purchased New or Used Hunting Location: Mexico or Alaska Game Pursued: Too numerous to list Type of Dogs: Any and all types

I shall tell you a story.

I shall tell you of your father.

available at

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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.

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FINLEY RIVER “The Strain”

Finley River White Out

Finley River Cash Out

We proudly promote The Finley River Strain.

Many people deserve credit for the help in promoting the strain and its popularity.

Mr. John Shetler for owning and promoting Shetler’s Sonny Boy the sire of Chief.

Herb Carsten for buying the pup, naming him and making him a Nite Champion and also introducing the world to Carsten’s Finley River Buck.

Duane Clark for owning a grandson of Chief that won the World Hunt in 1966 Spring Creek Smokey. Duane is thought of the Spring Creek Rock guy but he also owned Spring Creek C.B. a son of Chief and Rock’s daddy.

Duane also was the one that told John Monroe about Claxton’s Finley River Spot.

Pride Gann who won the 1970 World Hunt with Gann’s Finisher (a son of Chief) and the 1973 World Hunt with Beanblossom Buck a son of Finley River Buck.

The 1970 World Hunt also saw Lonnie Mears place 6th with another son of Chief, Mears’ Finley River Dan. Lonnie should get mentioned because he deserves a lot of credit with his breeding program line breeding back to Dan. W.F. Derden should also be mentioned for his work with the Sonny Boy-Chief line he worked on for years.

All of these people played important roles in helping The Finley River Strain develop and become popular.

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We have dogs with Chief in the 4th Generation and will be having pups with Chief in the 4th Generation. We have a Line Breeding program that goes back to Finley River Chief hundreds of times in some that we produce.

Finley River White Out and Finley River Cash Out are the results of this breeding program. Both may be available for stud to the right type of female.

We may have pups for sale out of both from time to time.

For any information about breeding or buying pups should be directed only to: ROGER PRATER Concord, GA 770-490-6896 DON NICELY P.O. Box 179 Gradyville, PA 19039 realdonnicely@gmail.com • 610-745-0356 please visit www.finleyriverchief.com

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News & Views 25th Annual Ruth Lyons Children’s Hospital Benefit Coon Hunt Melvin Westerman Blue Creek Kennel

won a sizeable amount of money and took much of it into the clubhouse and spent it on tip boards and raffle tickets. Thanks, Gary. Second place went to Nathan Riehle with Dixie (120 barks in 1 minute).

Calcutta buyer was Matt Oesterling. Matt also won a sizeable amount of money.

Thanks to all that participated in the treeing contest. There were several dogs with over 100 barks and dogs of almost every breed of treedog entered. Also, thanks to the guys that helped on the treeing contest (bark counters, pulling coon up, time keeper). After the treeing contest was over and the money was handed out everybody got back to eating and buying tickets on donated prizes.

Gathering of the Calcutta Crowd

December 2nd started cool and dry and stayed that way all day and night. The frying crew showed up at 8:15 and started to fry turtle and squirrel so it could start to steam and tenderize. After that they fried fish, turkey loins, and biscuits. There was a bunch of frying going on. Thanks to Bill Messersmit and Burke Andre for a job well done. They have done the frying for years and I hope they do it for years to come.

The event started at noon and that's when the raffles started. We raffled guns, knives, camping equipment, fishing trips, hunting clothes, and many many other things (to many to list). The food was ready from noon on. We don’t have a set meal time (You eat at will). If you are there and don’t find something to eat you must have had your hands tied.

The treeing contest calcutta started at 2pm and bidding was wild with high numbers. 25 dogs were entered and after the barking stopped the winners were: 1st Place: Brian Bexter with Ringo (132 barks in 1 minute). Calcutta buyer was Gary Laker. Gary 80

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Brian Baxter w/ Ringo Treeing Contest Winner

The coonhunt was from dark until midnight with 24 dogs entered. At midnight the winners were:

First Coon: Darrel, Rodney, and Travis Riehter and Dean Mitchell hunting “Chef” Biggest Coon: Brian Baxter with “Duke” and an 18 3/4lb coon

Second Biggest Coon: Hunter Newman and “Dixie” with a 16lb coon

After the coon hunt several hunters stayed longer to eat more and talk hunting and dogs. Chris and Rachel Hughs did a great job getting everything together for the hunt. They did a great job with the help of many friends. After the hunt was over, the total raised for Ruth Lyons was $18,100. I hope that puts many smiles on many kids faces when they enter the Children’s Hospital. I know Ruth Lyons helped me many times when I was in the childrens hospital as a child. (I will never forget!) Thank you Ruth!

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

Hunter Newman and Dixie 2nd Biggest Coon

If you are not tied up the first Saturday in December of 2024, you should come to Sunman Fish and Game for the Ruth Lyons Benefit Coon Hunt. You will have a blast and maybe win something. Hope to see you there.

Brian Baxter and Duke Biggest Coon

Good day Plott enthusiasts everywhere; greetings!

Hopefully the seasonal move into December has treated you, your family, and your Plotts well.

Christmas is on the wise as I keyboard APA's column for the February-March edition of Full Cry, A series of bitter, winter days and a skiff of snow has apparently sent most of our bears up at this time. We had a bountiful mast crop here in the mountains of western North Carolina, and bears did not frequent our baits like they normally do, preferring natural food sources rather than peanuts, corn, and other unprocessed foods.

I am sure you are enjoying your latest edition of Full Cry which is jammed with interesting articles and colorful photographs. A sincere thanks goes out to the Duby’s, Jason and Dani, for their fine work in bringing, once again, this storied magazine to us. I also want to thank them for the Christmas card they recently sent. I am sure they have a busy schedule, but to hear from them in this manner is truly appreciated.

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There is an aura of excitement in the air-APA's annual Breed Days will come again the third weekend in March. That's the 14th, 15th, and 16th.

So, be sure and mark these dates on your calendar.

Breed Days has blossomed into America's premier field trial event, and large, bursting-at-the-seams, crowds are expected once again. I've been fortunate in attending all, and in my judgment last year's version has to be near the best. You might be interested in knowing that houndsmen have come to Breed Days from New Mexico, the Mid-West, the Great Lakes states, Florida and the Deep South, New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and as far away as Canada and Germany. So come and enjoy yourself, see all sorts of hound events, and visit with your old friends and meet new ones. Once again, the Oaks Retreat in Greenville, TN with be our venue where you can participate in and enjoy bear bays, hog bays, water races, bench shows, treeing contests, field trials, dash races, a puppy raffle, a Purina Points nite hunt {which is something new), our annual banquet and meeting and other exciting things. Be sure to check our APA Country Store where there is always a rush to purchase hoodies, shirts, caps, other APA paraphernalia, past year books, bumper stickers, and other related odds and ends. Also, I might remind you that Breed Days seems to be the date of preference for membership renewal, so be sure to check up on that. Come one, come all, we'll be looking forward to seeing you!

I have exciting news regarding the upcoming Brindle Book. As you know, APA is combining two yearbooks into one publication, the 2022 and the 2023. Having recently talked with Ms. Linda Scott of Hunter's Horn, formerly C & H Publishing, I understand that proofreading the initial product will be somewhere around January 15. Also Ms. Scott has been working diligently to get our yearbook publication back on schedule. Originally, Brindle Books usually came out in February prior to Breed Days. Hearing this, I expressed my gratitude in her endeavors to put things aright and wish to thank others like Tricia Butler, Sarah Meinert, and Lisa Johnson for their input as well. I am excited about our upcoming yearbook, and I think you will be well pleased with it.

APA held a board meeting January 14 during which newly elected officers and board members were announced. Those recently elected who hadn't served in some capacity previously were invited to sit in and see how things were done. Sarah Meinert will be our next president, Shelby Silver was elected to serve as vice-president, Tracy Woodruff will 82

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serve as our treasurer, and Mark Dufresne and Katie Woodward were elected as board members. Lisa Johnson remains as our secretary. Current members of the board are Gary Bowen, Andy Blankenship, John Jackson, and Justin Gurley. I look forward for a very productive year with these newly elected officers and those who are holdovers from last election cycle-remember APA officers and board members serve staggered terms.

Some proposed constitutional changes were put forth for the membership to consider. Perhaps of most significance was the proposal for office holders to be limited to only two consecutive terms which passed. Also passing was the provision for the vicepresident to be elected for a two-year term as well as serving as the editor of the Brindle Book; Shelby, we'll all pitch in and help in any way we can. The treasurer will be elected by the membership as a whole and not determined by the board of directors as proposed. The president will be elected by ballot rather than by those in attendance at our annual meeting as originally put forward. I sincerely hope I have these things correct. I am getting older and apparently can't process like I once did. As one who has been with the APA since the beginning, I am amazed how things have changed over the years and become more tech-oriented.

I have received some much-welcomed telephone calls and wish to thank Nancy Meinert and Kay Hoge for calling. Nancy, you'll recall, is the wife of recently departed Rex Meinert and the lady whom I call Queen of the North Woods. She and Rex opened their home and cabin to us each July and sometimes in the fall season as we journeyed north to run bear.

She was so gracious in her hospitality and cared for us immensely. We'll always be indebted to Rex and Nancy for their kindness. She called not only to talk and exchange greetings but to also to tell me that their dog, Otis, a superb bear-running and treeing machine, was much like Plott's Blackie and Indian Hills Lucky I described in my last column. I remember Otis from past hunts, and he was a little bit touchy. Nancy, thank you so much for the call.

It was really good also to hear from Miss Kay. Miss Kay is another lady whose hospitality and graciousness is beyond measure. We talked a long, enjoyable time, reflecting on past visits where she and husband, Eddie, treated us so royally. Eddie, you might recall, was the sole remaining "Hack” Smithdeal brushbuster and was a dedicated APA member and avid hunter. He was the recipient of the Methven Award, an honor he so rightly deserved. I reminded Kay of her making fried apple pies for us

as we had Breed Days work to do. We worked fast and furious to get to her delicious treats. It was so good to hear from Miss Kay, and I wish her the very best to come.

APA member and friend, Jim Schwinefus, has been taking me to school as of late in a very good way. There's not an occasion when we talk that I don't learn something from him, and he has been so enlightening over the many years of our friendship.

Jim is a Plott historian par excellence and has a mind like a computer when it comes to pedigrees.

The subject this time was Olen Greer and his John Owens-influenced Plotts. Owens was a master Plott coon hunter and Plott dog breeder of the late Fifties and early Sixties from Pulaski, Iowa, and Greer's Plotts drew heavily from his line. I perceive Owens's Plotts as representing the very crux of early Plott breeding, and, in my opinion, I consider him to be the true originator of our modern-day breed. There are others who receive the credit, but none even come close to matching his record of producing outstanding cooners and bear dogs.

I am taking the long way around as usual, forgive me.

Jim suggested I re-read a past 2007 Brindle Book article written by Dr. Max Blackham in which he interviewed Greer and Gordon Pace asking pertinent questions regarding hounds and hunting. Both, Greer and Pace, were highly credited cat hunters, successful breeders, and avid outdoorsmen. The first question asked (and the one that seemingly all hunting attributes hinge) was: What is the first quality you look for in a hound? They both shared the same opinion.

Greer: "He must have brains!"

Pace: "Intelligence of course ... the more stuff he has inside, the more you can get out."

Can you develop intelligence in a dog?

Greer: "No! It has to be bred into him. If he doesn't have it in the blood, you can't get it out.

Pace: "Right, it has to be in the bloodlines. Then you have a chance to start with…

As proof of what Greer and Pace maintained, Blackham then asked: How many lions and [bob]cats have you taken?

Greer: Six hundred eighty cats, seven lions, three bears, and truck load of coons. Three different

winters I took forty-four cats.

Pace: Approximately two hundred lions, perhaps fifty cats, and about a dozen bears.

I am currently shaking my head in awe—not disbelief but awe. Jim has long been explaining how the intelligence of our early Plotts has suffered over the years. Perhaps we all too often look to trailing, treeing ability, and cold noses first at the expense of this basic, essential attribute.

If possible, I wish to talk more about Greer, Pace, and Blackham in the future.

Photograph this month: Jim Schwinefus' Cheetah treeing on a bobcat in Wyoming. Jim was hunting with Olen Greer.

A fitting scripture this time of year comes from Micah 5:2-"But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting."

Until next month, 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

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone. Another year has passed and I’m sure that some of us have had big changes in our lives. I personally know someone who is getting married, someone who has met an awesome partner and a few who have lost their partner, so while some are making memories, others are enjoying those made.

IMPORTANT INFO-Coonhound Bloodlines Redbone issue has been moved up a month to May so anyone that is going to have anything for the magazine needs it in to them by April 1st.

Fall has been a lot of fun this year after a couple Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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years of hounds that proved not all have the makings to become a coonhound. Like they say, “Chance is his name and treeing raccoon is his game.” As this fall and winter has turned out to be one that doesn’t come along every year up here with record highs being made this week of Christmas and having just under 3 inches of rain that has been steady for 3 days, Chance and myself have had a great time. I grew up with hounds and in the 50’s and early 60’s a group of us would take our foxhounds down to company meadow, turn them loose and build a fire while listening to some of the best red fox races way into the morning. Between 10am, sometimes 2pm depending on the tracking, they would home back in. Those nights taught me to enjoy a hound’s mouth, which I did many nights this fall as that big bawl worked a cold track down along a creek where the bandit had gotten a drink and then over down trees on his way to a corn field. There you could tell

by Chance’s voice that the smell was fresher and he could, as they say, run to catch. The bandit knew he had to find a tree and he had to find it fast. There would be a short time of silence as the tree was checked but when those three dying locates could be heard and those steady chops started, I would just look up into that starry night and thank the Big Guy for teaching me that this hobby that was fun in the 50’s can still be fun in 2023 and to never take a good hound for granted.

The competition hunts and shows will be coming on strong now and I hope everyone has safe travels.

Please remember that your actions at these events are watched by the youth that are in attendance and how you handle yourself goes a long way in teaching them. Just like a pup when hunted with old hounds, they are only going to pick up what they are taught.

Congratulations to Marlin Martin on his winning the Purina Coonhound of the Year Award with FchWchGrnitechCh Pr Butternutcreek Red Badger and to Beth Jenkins on winning top Redbone Show with Skylines Push My Luck.

As I put this together and check the ARCA website, I have no info on upcoming sectionals so if your club is having one, please send me your info and I’ll get it in the column. Thank you!

Isn’t hunting fun when you get back to the truck after Red is loaded and you notice a “few” cockleburs on your lead so you pull them off. Then you notice that you have them on your gloves, jacket sleeves and your pant legs are just loaded. So, you stand there and you are sure you got them all and head 84

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for home. Guess what? You missed a bunch because now your truck seat looks like a cocklebur bush had gotten behind the wheel! The best is yet to come (wink-wink). A few days later you come in the house to the one that agreed “for better or worse,” correct?

Well guys, the fine print never mentions that there may be cockleburs found in the washer and dryer during hunting season. But take warning—if she doesn’t seem too mad, you best check your underwear before putting them on. Payback is sometimes painful.

I will leave you this month with a saying from Albert Einstein, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

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 online 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 919414-1034 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 248-2076430 or e-mail Jeffrey-young@sbcglobal.net

American Treeing Feist Association Nicolas Gipson

I hope that everyone was able to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with all of your friends and family. Hopefully Santa brought you what you wanted, and by the looks of the last few hunts that we have had with the ATFA many people were able to get their wish! Let’s have a look at the Tennessee Regional Hunt results and also the Arkansas Regional Hunt.

Tennessee P.M. 1st place winner Cole's Peggy Sue handled by Chuck Pool

Tennessee P.M. Dog Handler 1st Cole’s Peggy Sue Chuck Pool 2nd JBC’s Scalded Copper Nick Gipson 3rd Hub City Rufus Keith Mitchell 4th Cole’s Toby Todd Coles 5th Pinebelt Peanut Butter Keith Landrum

Tennessee A.M. 1st place winner Clint's Lulu handled by Clint Atkins

Tennessee A.M. Dog Handler 1st Clint’s Lulu Clint Atkins 2nd Crossfire Scooter Loren Slatton 3rd Berner Creek Roxy Cody Wise 4th JBC’s Scalded Copper Nick Gipson 5th Grier’s Rio James Grier

Points 725+ 550+ 500+ 425+ 400+

Points 925+ 766.5+ 725+ 700+ 625+

Arkansas A.M. 1st place winner Turner Up Redman handled by Shane Turner

Arkansas A.M. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Dog Turner Up Redman Clint’s Jess East Boley Chicory Crossfire Scooter Grier’s Rio

Handler Shane Turner Clint Atkins Owen Brayson Loren Slatton James Grier

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beginning of January. But please keep in mind that the standings are going to change as at least two of these dogs have championed out and are no longer able to gain points for the dog of the year, but that’s not such a bad problem to have when you now have a Champion Squirrel dog.

Arkansas P.M. 1st place winner Grier's Rio handled by James Grier

Arkansas P.M. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Dog Grier’s Rio Rip Cole’s Peggy Sue Jack Crossfire Blackout

Handler James Grier John Callahan Chuck Pool Joey Thomason John Carpenter

Dog 1.

Pinebelt Peanut Butter 2.

JBC’s Scalded Copper 3.

Grier’s Rio 4.

Cole’s Peggy Sue 5.

Cole’s Toby 6.

Crossfire Scooter 7.

Cole’s Dixie 8.

Hub City Rufus 9.

Clint’s Lulu 10.

Turner Up Redman

Handler Lee Balliet Nicolas Gipson James Grier Chuck Pool Todd Coles Loren Slatton Chad West Keith Mitchell Clint Atkins Shane Turner

I do hope that each and every one of you enjoy reading about a fun and wonderful organization of men and women that love these little dogs and the big heart that they have. If you have any questions what so every about becoming a member or even coming to one of our up-and-coming hunts, please reach out either by Facebook or you can call and talk to our president Todd Coles @ (870) 307-4327.

Now I would like to give a shout out to Clint Atkin’s and his dog Lulu, because the win from Tennessee made here a ATFA Squirrel Champion. If you remember Lulu also won, the ATFA dog of the year for 2022-2023. Congratulations, no doubt about it, she is a fine squirrel dog.

I am also glad to be the one to congratulate my dear friend from Georgia, James Grier! James has been working with his dog Rio since a pup. This dog finally made ATFA Squirrel Champion at the Arkansas P.M. hunt with a whopping score of 1766.6 plus points. I have to say that he was so excited when he called me, I would have sworn he just killed a Boone and Crockett buck. He got his first win with Rio at the Herschel Coxwell Winter Classic in 2020.

Way to go James, proud of you and Rio, but Also Clint and Lulu.

Now I can’t close this out without giving y’all the latest update on the Dog of the Year race also. So here are the results and points as it stands at the 86

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

Bluetick Breeders and Coonhunters Association International Column David A. Simons '2023'-'2024' BBCHA Publicity Director '2023'-'2024' BBCHA "Full Cry" Columnist Send info to david@crownfencedfw.com

Welcome to '2024' everyone! This February/ March issue of Full Cry marks the launch of our new BBCHA International column.

BBCHA's goal with the new BBCHA International column is to try and get the BBCHA membership (worldwide) involved. Involved in what you might ask? Well for starters BBCHA is hoping to get the members involved by sharing their stories and photos.

more written information on him, but unfortunately, I've lost the written info (probably during moving) that I had. If you have any info you can share on him it would be greatly appreciated. I'll publish an amended update.

Here are some other examples of what the BBCHA would like to accomplish with their Full Cry column format...

• Member participation in sharing historical information/photo's on Bluetick breeders/ enthusiasts.

• Member participation in sharing historical information/photo's on Bluetick hounds of the past.

• The BBCHA International column will help promote any upcoming BBCHA sectional events (please provide the info to us in time for the event and Full Cry publishing.

• The BBCHA International column will publish photos and results from BBCHA sectionals.

• This BBCHA International column would like to "spotlight" a BBCHA member (preferably historical) in each issue of Full Cry. A backstory would be great!

Historical Blueticker P. Allen "Coon" Brauer

BBCHA is excited to have this opportunity to showcase WHERE we come from, WHO you "The BBCHA member" are, and WHAT BBCHA is about.

PLEASE NOTE...

1. Any hard copies of reports, photos, letters etc. that are sent for print in this column WILL NOT be returned unless a self-addressed, postage paid envelope, is sent with the item(s). BBCHA and Full Cry Magazine are Not responsible for damage to or loss of any items sent. Emailing to the address on the column header would be the best way to send your contributions.

2. BBCHA has a limit on word space and photos allowed in the BBCHA International column. We will do our very best to get everyone's contribution in Full Cry Magazine.

This issues BBCHA International column "Spotlight" on a historical Blueticker is... Mr. P. Allen 'Coon' Brauer. Mr. Brauer hailed from Powhatan, VA. I had the good fortune to spend some time with Mr. Brauer. One of the photo's shared is him as a child and a Bluetick that his family had. I had much

David A. Simons Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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American Black & Tan Association

Henry County Curtis & Feist Club Clinton, MO

Tim Sizemore

RESULTS FROM THE DECEMBER HUNT:

Hello from the west or I should say Idaho. Packed up and went wolf trapping as the federal judge Maloy from Missoula delayed mt. season till Jan. then it ends Feb 15. Also cougar hunting with my outfitting guy. Seeing a good many cougar tracks but conditions are tuff. But treeing a few. Received some bad news from Wv. My good friend Mr. Buck Brown passed away. That saddened my wife and I as we would talk every few days. He was an expert on line breeding teaching me more knowledge than I ever knew. I was sitting there thinking when he passed was like a library burning down all that knowledge lost. Kept telling him to right a book or just notes when he thought of things but he never did. Iam sure he is up there listening to old ribs mountain music and smoke treeing up a storm. He always said Alans nightrider dogs was the best kept secret in the black & tan world. “Hope you have goodin” was his goodbye when we talked. Well getting back to other news have talked to a few new guys from around the country good to hear from them. Hope everyone has a good holiday and keep them dogs in the woods.

The pic this month is a nice Idaho cat a client from Texas harvested. Well guess that is about all for now.

Remember Pack It In Pack It Out. Your western B&T hunter Tim. 88

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

AM Squirrel Champion Class:

1st - SQCH Derrickson’s MO Kid, owner Don Derrickson

2nd - SQCH Tebo Creek India Opal, owner Katy Harrelson

Open Class: 1st - Boots & Cats, owner, Nick Clark

2nd - Pickett’s Dewie, owner Bruce Pickett

3rd - Richland Hill’s Buster, owner Don Belt Bench Show Champion: Winner - CH Avey’s Tip, Jeff Avey

Open Show: Treeing Cur Male: Senior Winner & Best of Breed - Richland Hill’s Buster Don Belt Mountain Cur Male: Junior Winner & Best of Breed - Tebo Creek Nashville, owners Jared & Melissa Harrelson

Senior Winner - Pickett’s Dewie, owner Bruce Pickett

Mountain Cur Female: Puppy Winner, Best of Breed, & Best of Show - Bus’n Betty, owner Bruce Pickett Junior Winner - Tebo Creek Della Jane, owners Jared & Melissa Harrelson Senior Winner - SQCH Tebo Creek India Opal, owner Katy Harrelson PM Squirrel Hunt Champion Class: 1st SQCH Derrickson’s MO Kid, owner Don Derrickson Open Class: 1st - Boots & Cats, owner Nick Clark

2nd - Richland Hill’s Buster, owner Don Belt 3rd - Pickett’s Dewie, owner Bruce Pickett

4th - Tebo Creek Della Jane, owner Jared & Melissa Harrelson Nite Hunt: No winner No + points

Laurel Highlands Coon Hunting Club Connie Diven

The Laurel Highlands Coon Hunting Club held their regular meeting on December 15, 2023, with twenty-two people in attendance. The meeting was followed by a big coon contest. The club informed the members that the PA Nite Hunters are trying to form a Call -to- Action committee to attend Pennsylvania Game Commission meetings to keep up with articles of law/bills that the game commission proposes that affect hunting. The PA Nite Hunters Club are asking that each club pick a representative to be a member of the Call-to-Action Committee.

Bruce Knopsnider, president asked members to think of someone to take over his position of president as he has been in this position for a number of years and feels that the gavel needs to be passed on to someone else. He asked that members give nominations in January with an election to be held in February.

The wild game dinner is on January 14, 2024, at 1 pm with a meeting to follow. The UKC hunt is on March 2, 2024. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.

National Cur And Feist Breeders Association Kelly Thomas Portteus 713 E Sycamore St Jasonville, IN 47438

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

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. I sure hope everyone is ready for the hunts to start firing up. I have a feeling this new year is going to fly by like 2023 did. It was here then it was gone.

This issue should be out before the 2024 Claude Thomas Memorial World Hunt. I am ready for the hunt and to get to see everyone. Come on out the last weekend in February and see us at the Elnora Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

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Outdoor Club. I am hoping we have real good weather and have lots of fellowship.

We will accept Ads at the Claude Thomas hunt if anyone has theirs ready.

Just as a reminder if you did not get the newsletter in December the Indiana State Hunt is on Friday February 23rd with a new deadline of 8 a.m. will be a squirrel hunt only. No bench Show.

The Memorial Hunt on Saturday February 24th will have a 7 a.m. deadline for the Squirrel hunt and a 7 p.m. deadline for the Nite Hunt. The is no Bench show for this hunt.

Please mark your calendars for the World Hunt this year being held in April instead of the Fall.

It has been a problem in the fall to have places to go with deer season and fear for our dog’s safety. We are going to try the Spring and see how this works out.

Elnora will hold the Midwest Cur & Feist Round Up on April 5th and have a new deadline of 8 a.m. We will have the World Hunt on April 6th with Squirrel deadline at 6 a.m.

The World Hunt in April will be the deadline for Ads so please try to get your ads put together and either bring them or send them to me, Don, or Sharon.

I would like to see another good book for 2024 and would like to get it out to all of you sooner than 2023’s book went out. It takes a lot to get everything together and then the publisher then will have to work his magic so it is a process that takes some time.

Just a reminder will hold the Annual Action at the World Hunt so bring any of those unwanted items you would like to donate. We always have a good time with the auction.

Elnora Outdoor Club has some new officers this year so come on out to one of the events and welcome the new officers and get the chance to meet them and get to know them a little.

I must apologize that I have not gotten a chance to call and touch base with our members. It seems like my day is over as quick as it begun. Life has a way of keeping us so busy that we just do not take the extra 90

Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

time to just sit and relax and catch up with people.

So, my wish for all of us would be that we all slow down a little and take time to enjoy the little things around us, the people around us, and do something that makes us happy.

With that being said, I will close. Please keep those sick, injured, or in need in your prayers.

Take care and hope to see you at one of the upcoming events.

Respectfully and your friend, Kelly

Ozark Feists

By David Young Mulkeytown, Ill 618-927-2343

Hello everyone. Fall is here and been having some beautiful wather. The leaves have turned colors and are falling as I write this article. Some are treeing and getting a few squirrels down to their dogs. We held an ozark only squirrel hunt in September. Not many turned out. We had a good hunt even with only three dogs entered. Its hard to get people out with so many activities going on. Jason Hicks has been doing good with pups out of his Max male. Several pups out of him are treeing early. Max is half Ozark and half Mullins Feist. It has crossed well in the Ozark blood. I raised a litter of pups this year out of Sq. Ch. Trixie. She has seven pups and raised all seven and they are doing fine. I have high hopes for this litter. The father of the pups, I sold as a pup last year. He started early, running loose on a farm in Missouri. He was treeing early so I hope these will too. I talked with Cobb Jarvis from Royalton, Ill. That has been training pups. He’s real good with pups getting them treeing on dead squirrels and laying drags for them. I have been hunting my JoJo pup, she’s a year old and is treeing by sight. I have decided to leave her up until I can find some to get down to her. She has made bench champion in the woods. I hope to get her started good this season.

My health hasn’t been the best the last four years. I have developed a muscle problem, if I lift anything it strains a muscle in my leg. It is strange, it gets worse in the winter and lets up some in the summer. I have had all kinds of tests ran and everything comes up fine (for which I am grateful). Hopeful for some help

soon. Keep me in your prayers when you pray.

The Ozark feists are doing well with people in many states now hunting this strain of feists.

Most make good road dogs if you stay closer to the original stock. I would encourage those who promote these dogs to use in Ozark in the name of their feists if they are of this breeding. I have outcrossed to other strains of feists and bred back to Ozark dogs. Will be holding NKC Illinois State Championship on December 9th at Sesser Wildlife Club in Sesser Ill. I am including some pictures of Ozark dogs in training and with game. Until next time. God Bless, Dave.

Pennsylvania Nite Hunter’s News Gabrielle Minick PA Nite Hunter’s Association Secretary

My name is Gabrielle Minick and I am the PA Nite Hunter’s Association Secretary. We held a meeting on November 5th at Laurel Highlands Coon Hunters Club. At the meeting we discussed the state hunt that was held in May at the Parker Club. Instead of giving trophies for all the winners, we bought collars with the winning titles on the collar plate. A lot of people like the collars except for pink. But when ordering the collars, I went with the award placement color guide for Pennsylvania and 5th place is pink. We talked about how much our club took in by selling Pa Nite Hunter’s club memberships, and how much was taken out when paying the club for hosting the hunt. The club took the motion to let Beaver Falls Coon Hunter’s Association to host the 2024 PA State Nite Hunt. Another motion made was, in order for a club member (whether it be youth or adult) to win handler of the year, the MUST have at least three cast win slips turned in to the PA Nite Hunters president. A problem brought to the table was about the last Pennsylvania Game Commission meeting held in October. PGC is pushing a new law that hounds cannot be run during bear and deer season.

This does not affect coon hunting throughout the night. A lot of members didn’t know about this law being created. Therefore, a member of the club brought up creating an ”Action Committee”. The action committee would consist of one member from each individual hunt club that is part of the PA Nite Hunters to be in charge of learning about new laws that PGC is coming up with and bringing the information to the club they’re in. That way, if it were to become something that affects coon hunting, we could unite as a mass, and take our issue to the local legislators and try to get these laws overturned before they go to the government. So now we are actively looking for people from each club to volunteer to be on the action committee.

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Congratulations on winning the 2023 Purina Race from your friends at Full Cry!

BUTTERNUT CREEK KENNELS Breeding and raising quality Redbones for 35 years

PUPS & STARTED DOGS!

United Houndsmen Association PO Box 638 Healdton, Ok. 73438 info@uhahunts.com

By the time you read this our 2024 season will be well underway. Results from the New Years Bash $500 added Hunter Appreciation Hunt, Buckle Youth Hunt, and the $1000 added Open Hunt will be posted in the next issue of Full Cry Magazine. Results from all other events and a list of upcoming events can be found at www.uhahunts.com The UHA State Representatives and rules committee membersfor 2024 are as follows: Indiana – Conor Lucas; Missouri – Ken Wood; Oklahoma – Monty Caldwell, Jon Pass, Juston Stewart, Jason Tipton; Tennessee – Gene Driggers, Joby Potter; Texas – Mark Raber Jr.

We have sold dogs to guys in 14 different states plus Canada

Marlin Martin 989-235-3107 Carson City, Michigan

LAUREL HIGHLANDS HUNTING CLUB

The UHA just received donations for our next youth hunt. Donations were from Shannon Houchin, Terry Womack, Ken Wood, Cindy Pass, Brandon Hughes, Monty Caldwell, Michael Dominguez, Keny and Sherry Mashore, Joby Potter, and Kyle Banks.

Thank you all for your support.

It looks like we are going to be having hunts in several different states and are looking to add more.

If your club is interested in having a UHA hunt on a date that is not conflicting with other hunts, please visit our website and glance through the rules. If you are still interested, send me an email and request a hunt packet.

That’s about it for this month as our season is starting right after deadline for this issue.

Until next time, keep em on the lumber and be sure and take a youngster with you.

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Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

WTDA Squirrel Hunt – April 21, 2024 Sign-up deadline: 8:30 am Bench Show: 1:00 pm Treeing contest to follow For information call: 724-422-5028

FROM THE ARCHIVES

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

Renewal (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

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:______________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________ State/Prov:_______ ZIP/Postal:__________________ Phone:_______________________________ Email:__________________________________________ Mail Payment & Form to: Full Cry Magazine PO Box 128 Merlin, OR 97532

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

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.

ERIKA, 11, AND EMMA, 9, SITTING UNDER AN IDAHO BEAR TREE WITH THEIR HOUNDS

BENTLEY SWINEY, AGE 10, WITH A BIG S.E. KY MOUNTAIN COON

EMALEE WITH HER MOUNTAIN CUR RAZOR

PAUL-HAYDEN, AGE 8, HOT SPRINGS NC. PAUL SAYS THIS IS WHERE HE HUNTS WITH HIS DAD!

BRIDGER, AGE 1.5, COONHUNTING WITH MOM AND DAD

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Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

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BLACK AND TAN COONHOUNDS Black and tan pups four months old parents used on bobcat coon and coyote male blank tan four years old. Cold nosed dog. Runs Bob cat and coon 231-825-2035

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TREEING WALKERS Walker pups born 12/21/23. Parents are Tri color, 45lbs. Breading is 7/8 Kemp 1/8 Neosho River. $500 Located in Northern Idaho. Best way to get ahold of is text message 208-669-3525.

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Send self-addressed, stamped envelope to: National Majestic Treehound Association, 1011 West State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850.

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Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024

MISCELLANEOUS West Coast Telemetry- Tag-A-Long / Ride-A-Long Tracking collars.

Mounts on GPC collars for $55. Battery replacement $35 for plastic case or $40 for acrylic. 1-800-8338236 www.westcoasttelemetry.com For Sale- Evans dog boxes, Northeast Ohio, western Pennsylvania. Several Colors. Also have box pads. Call Ken Carnsew, Cortland, OH 330-637-5118 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 refill 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

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OUTFITTERS / GUIDES "HOUND DOGGING FOR BEAR" North Central Idaho, 8 Day Hunts - more if you want. 100% successful.

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REDBONES TIMBER CHOPPER KENNELSRedbone hounds for coonhunting and big game for 30 years.

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REDBONE & MT. CUR PUPPIES. World Champion bloodlines. $300 obo 989-235-3107

LEOPARD HOUNDS I have 59 years with this line of leopards. They are open trailing, track driving, and accurate tree dogs. The universal dog. They excel on bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coon, and wild boar. Dogs have to catch your game before they can tree or bay it up. They will work in swamps, mountains, and dry ground. Please call as I don’t get online. “Puppies most of the time”. $300 males or females.

Lamar Meeks 912-682-3995

LEROY HAUG

On Sept 17, 2023 Leroy Haug, age 101, passed away at his home.

Leroy was on the last veterans of World War II left in our area. Leroy served in General Patton’s third army. Patton himself awarded Leroy a purple heart, promoting him to Sargent and declaring Leroy as the toughest bravest soldier in the third army. Leroy received two purple hearts and a bronze star for his heroic service in the war.

He landed at Normandy on Omaha Beac, the most costly beach head

of all four. His last major battle was the Battle of the Bulge. This was Germany’s last major battle.

Leaving there, Leroy was shot five times by german machine guns while crossing the Rhine river. Leroy was part of ‘the greatest generation’. Indeed they were. As long as there will be warm the men of World War II will never be equaled.

Leroy was known for decades as a breeder and trainer of Plott hounds. He sold puppies and young dogs all across the country. Many men swore by his bloodline. I bought my first Plott from Leroy, fifty years ago.

Goodbye my friend, Pat Lugring.

GEORGE P. TAYLOR George P. “Coon Dog” Taylor, 85 of Blairsville, PA, passed away on November 4, 2023. Born in Indiana, PA on September 24, 1938, to the late Joseph M. and Irene (Wisniewski) Taylor. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corp., serving during the Vietnam Conflict and was a retired coal miner.

He enjoyed training coon hounds to water race. George and his wife, Carol travelled together to many water races in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He always had a smile and a special hello for everyone. He is survived by his wife of 63 years. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Wetzel and husband Richard Sr. of Home, PA as well as many nieces and nephews. When the good Lord said George, come to me, George got first line, George got first tree.

S GR SQ CH Rogers Cisco GR SQ CH, FTCH, WRCH, RTCH, Ridge Runnin Ralph BUSY, LOUD, ACCURATE, INDEPENDENT Squirrel & Coon Stay in the woods you're in and stay treed Ed Rogers 989-445-0103 Alex Huygle 989-836-0208

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FORGOTTEN WAY OF LIFE

by Alex Recker

In the moonlit woods, where shadows dance,

The moonbeam's dance light across their path,

A man and his hounds fall into a trance.

Guiding the way, to unleash their wrath.

Silent whispers of the night's embrace,

Through moonlit glades and ancient trees,

As they chase raccoons, a thrilling case.

They chase their Prey, finding with ease.

With keen eyes gleaming, the man leads the way,

His hounds, his comrades, a bond so strong,

Bound by a bond that words cannot say.

Together they journey, to where they belong.

His hounds, loyal and true, quick as the wind, Together they venture, Together they begin.

Through tangled thickets, they weave and roam, The rustling leaves singing of an ancient home.

Their footsteps hushed, like whispers in time, A symphony of nature, the most beautiful rhyme.

The man's lantern flickers, casting a glow, Illuminating secrets only the night does know.

Their breaths mingling with the crisp, cool air,

The raccoons run off, quick and sly, Leading the chase, beneath the star filled sky.

But the man and his hounds, relentless and free, Run with the wind, their spirits wild and free.

As dawn approaches, the chase finds an end, The raccoons vanish, leaving shadows on mend.

But memories linger, etched in their souls, Of the nights spent chasing, adventures untold.

A nighttime adventure beyond compare.

So, let us cherish this man and his hounds,

98

The hounds' noses twitch, senses alive,

Tales of the woods, where magic abounds.

In pursuit of raccoons, they strive with drive.

For in their pursuit, beneath the moon's light,

Their tails wag with joy, anticipation untold,

They find peace and purpose,

They follow the scent, the story unfolds.

in this forgotten way of life

/ Jan Full Cry | Dec Feb / ‘23 Mar 2024 ‘24

Feb / Mar 2024 | Full Cry

99

ESTD. 2000

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EP. 347 LYNX HUNTING IN BC WITH BUDDY, ROSS ELLWANGER AND KODY LOSTROH Find this episode at podcast.dusupply.com

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100Full Cry | Feb / Mar 2024