During the Great Depression, individuals survived by hunting raccoons for food and their fur. Today, coon hunting is a trendy hobby, and many participate in competition hunts to experience its thrill.
Professional dog trainers typically make millions from this lucrative field. Training dogs requires both time and resources that need significant investments both financially and timewise to do well.
Getting Started
Coon hunting is one of the oldest and most beloved American sports. Perfect for beginners as well as seasoned hunters looking to hone their hunting skills using raccoons and hound dogs, coon hunting clubs provide an effective means of population control using coon hunting clubs as raccoons are both food sources as well as tools in wildlife management programs in certain states. Coon hunting clubs usually serve as population controllers of this wildlife species, which has become known to carry diseases that threaten domestic pets like cats and dogs as well as damage crops from coon hunting clubs; coon hunting clubs help keep an eye on these creatures’ numbers so coon hunting clubs play an integral part in wildlife management efforts in these states by controlling population control through coon hunting clubs’ measures allowing hunters to manage these numbers more effectively.
An essential factor in the success of coon hunters is having access to a high-quality coon dog. Many newcomers to the sport buy pups from breeders or animal shelters; however, for optimal performance, it is better to invest in young dogs trained and conditioned by professionals; this will give a better idea of their performance in the field and allow you to build up relationships with experienced hunters as they have spent more time training alongside each other.
Once you have secured yourself with a quality coon dog, you must educate yourself as thoroughly as possible about raccoon hunting and your hunting area. Newcomers to this sport often become disenchanted when they fail to understand all aspects of raccoon woods; knowing their movement patterns and places where they might be hiding is imperative in making hunting effective at nighttime hours.
An essential element for successful coon hunting (or any hunting) is having access to high-quality shotguns and ammunition. If hunting as part of a group, make sure that each member carries his/her firearm so that in case of emergency, everyone can act appropriately to save lives and property. Furthermore, having your cell phone along may come in handy should help be needed – also, check out this guide on hunting coons for tips.
Treeing
Treeing is one of the critical skills of coon hunting that requires dog training: when your canine detects a raccoon hiding in a tree and barks, alert its handler that something has been located. Once warned, your handler then heads towards that tree to catch said raccoon; points will be awarded both to yourself and any dogs involved in its capture.
Coonhounds with the ability to tree are considered excellent hunting partners since their versatility allows hunters to hunt a wide variety of wildlife, such as deer and hogs. This ability is especially essential now that some states have banned pro sport coon hunting.
Beginners who want to learn how to tree should work with an experienced trainer when starting. Because their breed can have stubborn, independent traits that resist training processes, this may require extra support from an expert trainer in order to overcome. Reward your hound when successful during its training – this can keep both parties happy and motivated throughout.
The Treeing Walker coonhound is an energetic breed that thrives when given one-on-one interaction from its family, as well as plenty of space to run and participate in outdoor activities with them. They can be highly trainable but do possess strong independent streaks which, when left untrained properly, may make life challenging; when adequately trained, however, these pups make wonderful companions!
This breed features a short and close-fitting coat that, when properly maintained, can have a glossy appearance. Their eyes are set moderately far apart with deep colors such as brown or black, showing a typical sympathetic hound expression. Their average lifespan typically lasts 12-13 years, depending on factors like breeder experience as well as other considerations.
Scent
Coon hunters employ a drag to set a trail for their dogs. After applying trail scent to it, they tease their pup while toying with it and drag it across the ground, releasing its scent through ground and air currents and picking up on its journey toward either a tree or carcass. Pete Rickard’s Pro Coon Drag features a flat design to easily drag along and better hold its scent than other training dummies.
Coon hunting requires a highly-trained dog with agility, endurance, and determination while on the trail. As their relationship deepens between hunter and animal, so too will their mutual reliance and trust grow, both relieving each other to complete tasks necessary while sharing in an unforgettable adventure through moonlit forests.
Responsible coon hunters play an integral role in wildlife conservation efforts. By following stringent regulations and adhering to ethical hunting practices, they help ensure raccoon populations survive natural habitats. Through events like Autumn Oaks Racoon Hunt Dogs, enthusiasts come together to watch top handlers exhibit their prized dogs while competing for top titles.
Safety
As part of their sport, Pro sports members are expected to show a high standard of behavior and good sportsmanship when conducting casts. Casts will involve nonhunting judges, and an official scorecard must be signed off by all members at the conclusion of every form; the Pro Sport board will decide upon all disciplinary actions.
PKC also sponsors competitive raccoon hunting events as part of their World, National, and Futurity championships for coonhounds; competition events for squirrel dogs and beagles; no firearms are used during PKC events; it also offers the only recognized veterinary inspection and certification programs for raccoon hounds in the US for safe and responsible raccoon hunting practices.
PKC membership is open to all interested raccoon, squirrel, and rabbit hunters for an annual membership fee of $25. Members become members of their State Association in their state of residence as well as any Breed Association they select; additionally, they receive a 12-month subscription to PROHOUND magazine and can compete in PKC-licensed events. No other registry puts as much emphasis on engaging youth coon hunters – from bench shows at major events through to Next Generation News sections in Coonhound Bloodlines as well as UKC/CB Horizon Awards and youth championship event series – nothing compares.
