Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

I am posting this on behalf of houndsmen in Louisiana.

We need coonhunters to send emails supporting year round coon dog training on Kisatchie National Forest. The letters need to include that we stay with our dogs [dogs don't range far away from us] and that we always bring our dog home with us [not left at large]. Anything else positive you can say about coon hunting will help.

The proposal they have submitted will take us out for 160 to 170 nights a year.

Please send emails to:
Jim Caldwell
jcaldwell@fs.fed.us[/email]

Robert Barham
rbarham@wlf.louisiana.gov

Randy Myers
[email]rmyers@wlf.louisiana.gov


Guys and gals, fella coon hunters need our help, please remain respectful and couretous in all letters and e-mails.

Thank you and please spread the word!

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

Please note the original proposal is aimed at deer dogs who range much greater distances than coon hounds, but the proposal includes coon hounds.

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

Currently all but 6 states enjoy year around training from the east coast west to Montana. All it takes is one state and then others are more likely to follow.

The reason for the policy change is hounds interfer with deer and deer behavior as well as other animals. There is no scientific evidences to support such a claim. Wildlife biologist from each state often meet and talk about recent changes in their states. All we need is a biologist from Louisiana to start telling biologist in other states how successful there were.

Please take the time to help protect all of our rights!!!!!!!!!!!

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2004
Location: maryland
Posts: 596

There is a post on here somewhere that was done in I believe SC, This study was effects of coonhounds on deer movement. It goes into some detail about the effects, basically no effects at all. It maybe of benefit to search this out and make copies to foward along with statments being submitted to offset the arguements that hounds effect deer movements.

__________________
http://www.SPLITOAKKENNELSUPPLY.com
410-808-2151
Toll Free: 1-888-820-0431

Jeff Wilson

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

Yes, that study was forwarded to the gentlemen listed, but ya know what it won't hurt for them to get a few hundred e-mails regarding that study.

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

Here is a link to the study:

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/publ...ccoonimpact.pdf

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Diamondhead, Ms
Posts: 371

Mr Atherton,

Attached is a copy of the emails I sent out... Just cut and pasted the majority of the note.


year round coonhound training in Kisatchie National Forest

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 4:44 PM
From: "marc price" <mrc_price@yahoo.com>
Add sender to Contacts
To:jcaldwell@fs.fed.us

Mr. Caldwell,

I am a recent new resident to Louisiana. I hunt and train coonhounds (not deerhounds. I would really appreciate being able to run and train my dogs at nite in the Kisatchie National Forest and, would urge you to consider opening up the Forest for year round training.

The men that I know in LA who run raccoons are good, solid, folks. Most of us have been hunting since childhood. Most of us also hunt deer, and would not want to do anything that would interfere with fellow hunters or deer.

Our dogs don't range that far (as far as deer dogs) and we always make sure they come home with us after we hunt at nite.

Thank you for your consideration,

Marc Price
XXX XXXXX.
Breaux Bridge, LA 701517

Thanks for the heads-up
Marc

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

Back to the top.

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Anchorage,Ak
Posts: 1727

Not sure it will help much as most of the game lands in La have an established coon hunting season and there only about 10-20 days. I've been trying to get the biologist on Barksdale AFB to let us run all year for the past several yrs but they won't budge. We did however get approval to take night hunt casts on base for a small fee. So far those cast have won the hunts.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

I have received friendly responces from the individuals listed above. They actually seem a bit more receptive than others I have dealt with in the past.

Come one everyone, a copy and paste job and 3 quick e-mails can't take more than a few minutes.

Apathy is what the anti's are counting on. Outdoorsmen don't always seem willing to step up and help one another unless they feel it directly affects them.

Guess what, every small win against hunters negatively affects all of us.

Please, take the time tohelp our fellow coon hunters!

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Chestnut, La
Posts: 20

my e-mails have been sent as well as letters to every legislator on the list that was passed out at the meeting in Dry Prong LA

The major concern of KNF is to remove deer dog hunting on forest land, but while they were at it included limiting the days coon hunters could use public land.

The domino effect will take place if any dog hunters lose their rights to hunt on these public lands.

Next on the list will be rabbit dogs, hog dogs etc.

Just as one of the above posts mentioned this is targeted to all people who hunt with dogs and not only in Louisiana.

Let your elected officials know where you stand!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2006
Location: Western Pa
Posts: 2106

Years ago I wrote a letter to the Pennsylvania Game Commission about our training season. I used my experience as a Law Enforcement K/9 handler to justify the training of hounds. Law Enforcement K/9s even though they are used daily have regular in-service training. The purpose of the in-service training is to keep the dogs sharp. When you don't train a service dog you have........a dog.....with a liability. I went on to explain to them that the same can be said for hounds. When you close their training season they lose their edge. Mistakes are bound to happen with a hound that is not trained regularly, i.e., the potential for running off game, handling issues, e.t.c. (I, also, used the threat to quit hunting in Pa and go hunt in Ohio where their season was open year round. I live 20 minutes from Ohio) I believe that the explanation of training along with the pressure of all the houndsmen organizations in Pa. was helpful in getting an open training season year round. If they don't hear from everyone in numbers nothing will change.

__________________
UKC GrNtCh PKC Ch Pa HTX Sniper (Deceased) Four time qualified for World Championship
Duane and Seth Jones/Jarret Davis partners
Beaver River Kennels/Team Pa
USAF proud!!! 6 Years active 19 Reserves MSgt (ret) Raven 457
Carpe Nocturnum-Seize the night!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

Let's step up and help!

This is a very worthwhile fight.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Last edited by Larry Atherton on 03-08-2009 at 04:10 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Central Michigan
Posts: 6544

They are meeting on this issue in May. There is still plenty of time to send an e-mail or letter supporting letters.

I have received encouraging replies thanking me for sharing information. Their point of restricting dogs is they believe that running coonhounds affects deer and animal behavior.

It will not benefit coon hunters anywhere to let officials fostering incorrect ideas.

Please take a few moments and write.

__________________
Larry Atherton

Aim small miss small

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2004
Location: Simpson, La.
Posts: 191

We have been fighting this issue for years. The letters can't hurt. For some reason the National Forest folks in La. think that the seasons should be the same as the WMA's. Let me guess, if there is no season, there is no need for Wildlfe Management folks to work. Saving a few dollars. This I can see becoming an issue for all states should it pass.

Comrade Creek

__________________
Hunt & Enjoy Life

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2004
Location: Simpson, La.
Posts: 191

Elton & Ryan are you guys watching these post?

Comrade Creek

__________________
Hunt & Enjoy Life

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2003
Location:
Posts: 210

Eddie,

Were you able to make one of the meetings? If so, what was the outcome?

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2004
Location: Simpson, La.
Posts: 191

I'll be at the one in Alexandria wednesday night.

Comrade Creek

__________________
Hunt & Enjoy Life

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2003
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 343

Has anyone been emailed back? I have sent emails out, stating that our hounds are to valuable to leave behind, & they dont range as far as deer hounds, we dont drive down the roads & shoot from our vehichles, & what will happen to our youth, If they dont have a place to hunt? I sent out emails a month ago, & I havent heard any response!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Saline, Louisiana
Posts: 190

I have gotten responses from them all but, everyone but Landrieu has been the generic thanks for your comments please do not hesitate to send your concerns. Blah! Blah!

__________________
'PR' SALINE SWAMP DAX

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged