Hunting Sense

Coon hunting can be addictive. It can also be tiring. There’s nothing like the thrill of hearing the bawl of the hounds echo across the darkened countryside as they give chase to ol’ Mr. Ringtail. But staying out the better part of the night when you have to work the next day can definitely take its toll on a person. One night is bad enough, but an entire month of not missing a night of hunting? That leads to a state of exhilaration you’re almost too tired to enjoy.

(more…)

Anyone familiar with the classic book Where the Red Fern Grows probably remembers Tahlequah, Oklahoma is where Billy Colman travelled to get his two redbone coonhound pups, Old Dan and Little Ann. Tahlequah is also where both the 1974 and 2003 versions of the films based on the book were shot. So, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that one month ago, Tahlequah celebrated the book and coon hunting with a unique event, a Red Fern Festival.

(more…)

The UKC (United Kennel Club) is asking coon hunters and clubs to ‘Invest in our future‘. What’s it all about? Help in providing a new coon hunting light as a prize for all kids who place in the UKC Youth National Coonhound Championship hunt and the six category winners in the show.

Is it a worthwhile cause? Of course it is. We see fewer children hunting in general every year, and those who actually participate in coon hunting even more so. Wouldn’t making sure they win something like a brand new hunting light for their accomplishments in the sport be a nice gesture to show how much we enjoy them taking part? I think so.

(more…)

It’s been awhile since I did a new piece for the So You Want to Coon Hunt series, but after yesterdays post, you had to see it coming for today. We’ll look at another inquiry I’ve seen typed in as a search: Good guns for coon hunting?

The over-riding factor of this question would ultimately be what the regulations are for the type of gun you’re allowed to use wherever you’re located. I believe, though, that most states that allow firearms allow the use of .22 calibre weapons, although I would have to check my facts on that. I know that my home state of Oklahoma allowed them, and that is the calibre we used when we did carry guns. Shotguns are another that should be commonly allowed as well.

(more…)

Ok, we’ve now covered lights and dogs, so the next step in outfitting yourself for coon hunting is a myriad of additional gear. While not necessary like the first two, these additional items can go a long way in making your hunting experience more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Rubber Boots & Hip Waders

There’s nothing worse than traipsing through the woods with wet feet and shoes filled with water. While by no means a necessity, a good pair of rubber boots or hip waders is one item that can make the difference between an enjoyable hunt and a miserable hunt. Depending on where you hunt, there is bound to come the time when you have to cross a creek, stream, river, or whatever other type of water to get to your dog who’s locked down treed. Being prepared will keep your feet dry and keep your mind on the hunt.

(more…)

Ok, last time we looked at the six officially recognized breeds of coon hounds. Now, there are other things to take into consideration when trying to decide on a dog. We’ll take a quick look at them below. I’ve listed them first to last, but you can re-arrange them however you want. Most of them are inter-connected with other points on the list as well.

First, you should decide whether you’re interested in competition hunting or just pleasure hunting. Then second, no matter which decision you made about on the first point, is how much money you’re willing/able to spend. Third, you should take bloodlines into consideration and the quality of dogs they have produced. Fourth, you should take into consideration the areas that you’re going to be hunting most often (I’ll explain the reasoning later). Lastly, you need to decide on whether you want a pup, a started dog, or a finished dog. We’ll look at each point more in-depth below.

(more…)

The most important aspect of coon hunting is your coon dog. Sure, you may be able to hunt coon without one, but it wouldn’t be ‘coon hunting’. So, with this in mind, it only makes sense that the utmost care and thought should be put into choosing your dog.

There are numerous things to take into consideration when picking a hound, which we’ll cover soon. For me, one stands out than the rest. Some people in the professional coon hunting world may not agree, but I don’t care. They have their opinion, I have mine. You’re not just picking a coonhound, you’re choosing a best friend and hunting buddy. If you believe this and treat your dog accordingly, he/she will do a lot more for you.

One of the first things you may want to consider is the breed of hound you want to hunt. You may think ‘ a coon dog is a coon dog’, but that isn’t always the case. While there’s exceptional dogs in each, every breed has its unique characteristics from years of breeding. These strenghts and weaknesses are worth taking note of.

There are six officially recognized breeds of coon hounds. Below is a list with a brief of history and description of each breed as can be found on the UKC (United Kennel Club) website. Each is copyrighted to UKC.

(more…)

One necessity when coon hunting is a light of some kind. That can range from a simple flashlight all the way to hunting lights specially intended for coon hunting. Depending on exactly what you want, the price tag could range from a buck at the dollar store clear up to many hundred dollars for a hunting light with all the bells and whistles a serious coon hunter could ever wish for.

For those who have never coon hunted who are just thinking about taking up the sport, any light will do. You definitely wouldn’t want to use one long-term, but until you’re sure you’re going to stick with hunting, it’s better than spending too much on a light you may not continue using. Once you’re sure about wanting to hunt, then there are a myriad of lights to choose from on the market.

(more…)

Books on Coon Hunting

Probably the best place to start this series of posts on coon hunting is about what books there are on the subject. Considering I’m writing about it, it may seem strange to offer other information, but it is the only right thing to do. While I know a lot, there are others out there who know more and have written about it and are a good source to turn to to learn about the sport.

While there are many books dealing with specific aspects of coon hunting, especially training hounds, few offer a broad overview of the entire sport. One of the first that comes to mind is Walk With Wick by John Wick. He is a nationally known and respected hunter and dog trainer. He also runs WOW (Wick Outdoor Works), a hunting supply company geared toward coon hunters.

Walk With Wick covers every aspect of coon hunting, from picking your pup to competition hunting. It is a good book to get and read, no matter your coon hunting experience, but is especially useful for those new to the sport. It can be found at his website, WICK Outdoor Works.

(more…)

One of the most common searches I see when I look at the Stats Page for Hunting Sense is coon hunting. Not only are they frequent, but they vary a great deal. I’ve seen people looking for information on everything from ‘books on coon hunting’ to ‘how to coon hunt’. Taking this into consideration, I’ve came up with an idea.

“So You Want to Coon Hunt?” will be my attempt to answer many of the questions I see answers being searched for. Although I am by no means an expert, I can offer what I have learned over the years for those who are wanting to start out. Presented as a series of posts, I will try to answer, to the best of my ability, some of the most common searches I’ve noticed.

Hopefully someone will find this information of some use and if anyone has anything further to add, I welcome a post sharing it.

hunting, coon hunting, how-to

I would guess that anyone who’s seriously into coon hunting hasn’t at least heard of O.L. Beckham. He wrote a monthly column for Full Cry magazine and was called the “Worlds Greatest Dog Man” and “King of Traders Row” by many. He loved dogs, and coon dogs in particular, and bought, sold, and gave away many dogs throughout his life.

One of my two dogs I will always remember fondly was one that came from Beckham. Someone had dumped two mixed breed dogs by my house, like happened often, and they were able to tree squirrel with some work. Not needing squirrel dogs, I loaded them up and drove to Joplin, Missouri to pay Beckham a visit at his Hardly Able Ranch. I had been there quite a few times before for the monthly sale and field trial events and although he didn’t know me well, he remembered me.

(more…)

When asked why people hunt raccoons with hounds, very seldom will they say for money. The majority of people who coon hunt do it for the simple pleasure. Nothing quite compares to listening to the sound of hounds on a track or locked down treed on a clear, starry night. And for those who are a little more competetive, they can find an avenue to showcase their coon dogs talent and abilities.

Many Kennel Clubs, such as UKC (United Kennel Club), AKC (American Kennel Club), NKC (National Kennel Club), and ACHA (American Coon Hunters Association), register dogs as well as hold sanctioned events such as Bench Shows and Night Hunts. Dogs registered in these compete for points and titles that will be added to their registration papers. Having participated in events put on for three of these Kennel Clubs, I can honestly say that it adds an entire new thrill to hunting with hounds.

But for those out there who would like to make money doing something they love, there’s a way to do it while hunting. The PKC (Professional Kennel Club) is a chance to win money instead of points, and degrees are earned based on the amount of money won. It could truly be called ‘The Major League of Coon Hunting’ just as it states on their website.

(more…)

Heralded as an all-time classic, Where the Red Fern Grows is a story of love, adventure, and friendship that appeals to the masses. Although normally considered a childrens book, the young and old alike will be captivated by Billy, Old Dan, and Little Ann and their adventures through the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma during the depression. And if anyone has a dry eye by the end of the book, I would have to question whether they have a heart or not.

Here’s a brief rundown of the story as listed at Amazon.com.

Author Wilson Rawls spent his boyhood much like the character of this book, Billy Colman, roaming the Ozarks of northeastern Oklahoma with his bluetick hound. A straightforward, shoot-from-the-hip storyteller with a searingly honest voice, Rawls is well-loved for this powerful 1961 classic and the award-winning novel Summer of the Monkeys. In Where the Red Fern Grows, Billy and his precious coonhound pups romp relentlessly through the Ozarks, trying to “tree” the elusive raccoon. In time, the inseparable trio wins the coveted gold cup in the annual coon-hunt contest, captures the wily ghost coon, and bravely fights with a mountain lion. When the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the graves of his dogs. This unforgettable classic belongs on every child’s bookshelf.

The book impacted me the first time it was read to me in elementary school and continues to do so each time I reread it. It taught me many lessons and instilled in me a love for hounds and coon hunting that I was able to pursue when I grew older. And now, Billy and his adventures throughout the book make me think of my grandpa and the stories he told me about when he was growing up.

Anyone will love this book, but I believe coon hunters will feel a kinship with Billy about his dogs that few others will ever know or be able to understand.

Where the Red Fern Grows was also made into a movie that captures the very essence of the book and is as much of a must see as the book is a must read.

Rarely will I rate anything this high, but Where the Red Fern Grows deserves it and more, so I give it…

books, classics, Oklahoma, Ozarks, coon hunting, coon dogs, Old Dan, Little Ann, Wilson Rawls

It can sometimes be hard to spot a coon when your dogs tree. It’s especially true when there are still a lot of leaves on the tree, but even spotting one in a bare tree can be tricky. Raccoons have a tendency to look away from a bright light so shining the tree with your headlamp on high beam may not work. Hit the dimmer switch and then watch for the glow of their eyes when they look back at the light.

hunting, coon hunting, raccoons, hounds, coonhounds, lights, headlamps, shining the tree, dimmer switch, tips, strategies