Registered: Sep 2013
Location: Waldron, Arkansas
Posts: 1333

Whatever happened to just going on a ukc hunt and having fun? I hear stories all the time and have been on a few hunts myself where people can just be jerks! I guess some people want to win so bad they forget the blessing and the pleasure of being able to Coonhunt with others that love our sport. Let us be thankful and enjoy every time we get to unleash our hounds!

Merry Christmas everyone and may everyone reflect on the blessings God gives us everyday.

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Registered: Oct 2006
Location: ky
Posts: 153

Amen Brother! Justs seems like alot of people dont like to have fun anymore! I dont attend near as many Nite Hunts as I used to for that fact, just seems like everybody wants to win to bad. You would think it would kill some to crack a smile!lol When I quit having fun thats when Ill hang it up!

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Registered: Jul 2012
Location: Odessa, Mo
Posts: 2066

I have been to a purdy good amount of Nite hunts over the last 3 years, just about every weekend with a lot of two nighters in there. Been to A.O, some Breed Days, Sectionals, RQE's, HTX Hunts you name it. Walked into a many of clubs I've never been too before, and didn't know a soul, been welcomed every time. Out of all those hunts (over 100 I'm guessing) I can think of just a few times I didn't have fun. And it was NEVER because of another hunter. 99.9% of the time hand shakes and congrats were given out to all that participated wether they won or lost.

Seems like every now and then someone has a bad time and gets on here blowing about how unfair the Nite Hunts are. I'm here to tell ya it just ain't true. Sure your going to run into a crybaby or cheat now and then. But that's just part of the game we play. JMHO.

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Registered: Apr 2014
Location: Pike county, ky
Posts: 867

Couldn't agree more. A lot of the problem is to many people want to go to a nite hunt and have a pleasure hunting mind set. For example the 8 min might catch them or the two min or there dog may be off tracking when you walk into the tree. Than it always causes problems. And I've been guilty myself of letting things slide for people I've like on a cast and it always seems to bite me in the butt. Butt I think things are going great in the hunts, but that's my thoughts. I just think people who spend there money on a hunt and expenses want to win but I also think whoever is judging is the key ingredient to whether it's a pleasurable hunt or a bad one.

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location: PA.
Posts: 1738

I would agree with Bolden and Slowpoke. I've actually only been comp. hunting for few years, so maybe there were better days, but I would say better than 80% of the hunts I go to are enjoyable and sportsman like even if there is a crybaby or two thrown in. Very seldom do I come home wishing i had'nt hunted with the guys I was with.

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
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I went to a local hunt last night and had a great time.

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Registered: Apr 2008
Location: sugarcreekohio
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its all about haveing fun =guys = and useing common sense =but if somebody wants to take advanage thats wen the fun ends

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Registered: Jan 2009
Location:
Posts: 1175

I love all forms of comp hunting and I'm there to win. Make no mistake thinking that everyone is there to win. I haven't been on 5 bad casts in my life & met some great people along the way.

As long as I have been going I have heard:
How much better it used to be.
How much better the dogs were.
There have always been mean dogs & cheaters.

The only things that I have seen change is not as many go back to the club to see who won. That helps the club sell food & drink in kitchen. That's where clubs make the money.

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Registered: Dec 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2027

Most of the guys I know that think some one is always out to cheat them, also thinks big brother has there phone tapped and is brain washing them through there tv.

You just can't make everyone happy

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Registered: Aug 2014
Location: Northeast Alabama
Posts: 46

I cant compare to a lot of you guys I have only hunted in a handfull of cast and all were at local clubs but I can tell you I have never been on one the was enjoyable. The ones I have been around when they find out you are new to the sport there eyes light up because they no you dont no the rules like you probably should. This is the time you need to help a guy out not try to take advantage of him why would a man travel a couple hours away spend gas money entry money food drinks whatever to just have a couple hour right home pissed off. I hunt because I love to hunt. Now I have been on a few casts with one of my hunting buddies and had a great time but we drove a couple hours away maybe it just depends on where you live.

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Registered: Oct 2014
Location: TN
Posts: 33

Good friend of mine has been a MOH for a long time. He told me when I started in the hunts not to enter one till I had the Rulebook memorized. The other guys aren't out there to babysit they are there to win. First thing you teach kids about basketball, football, and t ball is the rules. Comp hunting is no different. Hardly anybody out there is going to pass up a chance to use the rules to their advantage. Everybody wants the best dog to win but it is the best handler most of the time. Is that fair? Maybe not but the Crimson Tide would probably be 0-12 if I was their head coach too.

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Registered: Aug 2014
Location: Northeast Alabama
Posts: 46

That just goes to show you how many people are honest. You teach your kids how to use the rules in sports to there advantage no if you do you ant much of a perant. If its a rule and its a rule you enforce it no matter if its your dog or whosever. Nobody said babysit but be fair. And we wonder why we can't take a man on his word to buy a dog.

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Registered: Oct 2014
Location: TN
Posts: 33

I must have never met a good parent.

I don't think the guys I've been on casts with were unfair. After they minused me they always explained why :-). Just like my dad would explain to me why I couldn't beat him wrestling. After he did something I was gonna feel the next day.

I'm not trying to bicker back and forth. I was just taught that knowing every rule and how to use them was more important than even packin the best hound. They are just part of the game. You win some you lose some. Sometimes you feel like you could have won the world if the final cast would have been tonight. Sometimes you do stupid stuff and get your dog minused. Just learn from it and have fun win or lose.

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Registered: Aug 2014
Location: Northeast Alabama
Posts: 46

I ant bickering either and my dogs are a hole lot better than I am no doubt. All I ever wanted is to be treated far. What's good for mine is good for yours. If its a rule call it no matter who's dog. But sadly it ant that way. I don't care to get beat far and square I can handle that I will shake hands and walk off.

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Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Water Valley, MS
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quote:

---

Originally posted by Shane Buck
Good friend of mine has been a MOH for a long time. He told me when I started in the hunts not to enter one till I had the Rulebook memorized. The other guys aren't out there to babysit they are there to win. First thing you teach kids about basketball, football, and t ball is the rules. Comp hunting is no different. Hardly anybody out there is going to pass up a chance to use the rules to their advantage. Everybody wants the best dog to win but it is the best handler most of the time. Is that fair? Maybe not but the Crimson Tide would probably be 0-12 if I was their head coach too.

---

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Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
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I think for way too many, they forget who's competing. A competition hunt is to see who has the best coon dog, not the best handler. Sure you don't want to make mistakes, and there's responsibility with calling your dog for what they're doing, but way too many think it's about them, and not about the dog on the end of the leash.

I also think there are some regional effects on the personality or approach to competition hunts... I went to several hunts back in Indiana where folks were too uptight, but went to some of the most laid back and enjoyable hunts this past year in Wisconsin. Not sure why, but it seemed like a different group of personalities, or perhaps style.

I hope to have a similar experience down here in North Carolina...

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Location: Reelsville , Indiana
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Another thing people lose sight of is, there is one winner and a whole pile of losers (or non-winners to be PC lol)

And it's easy to carry a grudge. Anyone who may have had a run in with another handler will always remember it. Every club in the country has at least one handler when they walk in, everyone says "ah crap, I hope I don't draw that guy."

Another observation in my short study, is that when someone says they got screwed in a hunt, but didn't take a question back because they didn't want to be seen as a "trouble maker" are just that. They don't mind telling the rest of the world how bad the hunts are, but didn't want to go tell the one person who could have done something about it.

And lastly, from a financial standpoint;Alot of entry fees have gone up. Guys spend some gas, buy some food(maybe) put a little more emphasis on winning. Nothing like shelling out more money to lose. And after a while of spending and not winning, it becomes easier to tell the world how bad the hunts are.

My . 02, for what it's worth.

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Lockridge Iowa
Posts: 2848

I agree with Slowpoke 2012, Bolden1 and RLenhart, I have been to a hunt or 2 over the years. I have questioned a couple calls over the years and some of those questions still went against me even though there answer was wrong.lol You can still have a good hunt and fun.

I was talking to a good friends of mine that loves coonhunting but does not like the completion hunts. A friend of his talked him in to go along to a hunt and spectate. He said they got drawn out and got ready to go to the woods. They got to the woods they had a long time hunter judging the cast that had some high profile winners over the years. Dogs all got struck with lot of action then 1 dog got called treed and was a little to the left. Action slowed a little and when a dog barked the judge asked who's dog that was and when he did the young man that treed his dog starts in. My dog never moved what are you trying to do? minus me? My dog has never moved can't you hear her treeing in there every breath. Judge goes yes I can hear your dog and I never said anything about minusing her just am trying to figure out what dog is what barking in there. he said the dog that won the cast did deserve to win but he had a splitting migraine by the time the hunt was over.

Jacob Holt here is a quote by you (but I can tell you I have never been on one the was enjoyable. The ones I have been around when they find out you are new to the sport there eyes light up because they no you dont no the rules like you probably should.) I would say that mind set is exactly the mind set that the young hunter had in the hunt I mentioned above. When you draw these seasoned handlers you can learn by watching how they call there dogs and how they handle there dogs and enjoy the hunt. Now if they blatantly make a false call that is absolutely wrong then ask for a vote on it or question it. I will say if you have never enjoyed a hunt then don't look at the hands unsnapping the other dogs in the cast but You only need to look at the problem which is the hand unsnapping Your Dog!

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Registered: Sep 2013
Location: Waldron, Arkansas
Posts: 1333

I also think there is a major difference between the big hunts (RQE's, zones, etc) and the smaller local hunts. I believe it has got way too competitive with the handlers. Who knows! Ive been on a lot of enjoyable hunts, and very few migraine hunts. But the migraine hunts is what'll run the new hunters off. Jmo

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Lockridge Iowa
Posts: 2848

quote:

---

Originally posted by bobbycagle1
I also think there is a major difference between the big hunts (RQE's, zones, etc) and the smaller local hunts. I believe it has got way too competitive with the handlers. Who knows! Ive been on a lot of enjoyable hunts, and very few migraine hunts. But the migraine hunts is what'll run the new hunters off. Jmo

---

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Another thing about the hunts. I see where some think the rules are the most important to know when you go to a hunt. I disagree I believe knowing the general rules are important but knowing the time and scores is as important and more so then knowing the rules inside and out.
example: I spectated on a cast and there was a guy on the cast that had been to a few hunts but was just getting started in the hunts. On the way to the woods I had told him not to get to excited and don't get in a hurry to tree his dog let the hunt come to him and don't gamble early. Well as the hunt went on he was trailing in the cast could have made some calls quicker if he would have wanted to. At 1 point in the hunt there was a little less then 30min. left in the hunt when they cut all dogs again right beside a creek. Dogs took off down the creek no dog barking. This guys dog crossed the creek opened on the other side and when she opened she was locating and came treed. He struck her but just stood there and didn't call her treed. I gave him a nudge and said tree her quietly. He treed her after a couple seconds and shut out the other dogs on the cast. What this did if no dog came back to back and she had a coon put him in the lead. Also if the other dogs backed her depending where the dog that was leading the cast got treed on the tree gave him the opportunity to either be trailing by 25, tied or up by 25. Also gave him a little more time to cut dogs quicker which in reality lengthened the hunt. They didn't find a coon. Seasoned handlers most generally know when to gamble on points and when to hold off calling a dog to shorten up the hunt. Using the scores and the time in hunt how to make calls is as important then knowing the rules. Having a good dog is though the most important at giving a guy an advantage.

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
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quote:

---

Originally posted by berger
.... Seasoned handlers most generally know when to gamble on points and when to hold off calling a dog to shorten up the hunt. Using the scores and the time in hunt how to make calls is as important then knowing the rules. Having a good dog is though the most important at giving a guy an advantage.

---

And you can't learn that from a book. I am going to try one of these comp hunts again this weekend. I hope that they don't take advantage of me.

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Registered: Jul 2009
Location: carrollton,Ohio
Posts: 716

. I was just taught that knowing every rule and how to use them was more important than even packin the best hound. They are just part of the game. You win some you lose some. Sometimes you feel like you could have won the world if the final cast would have been tonight. Sometimes you do stupid stuff and get your dog minused. Just learn from it and have fun win or lose. [/B][/QUOTE]

This is true. Sometimes you can make a bonehead call ,and lose, sometimes your dog just gets beat, sometimes u can lose on a cast vote. Sometimes u win. Alot of things are factors in a cast. Knowing the rules is a must. Another handler not gonna help u beat them. Just not gonna happen. U hope you draw a good group of sportsmen that are honest. Sometimes u dont, but its no one responsibility to help you make right call. No one knows your dog but u. It all goes hand and hand in competition. #1 need a good dog. #2 need to make good calls. Call your dog, no body elses. #3 dont be a jerk. You get much further, and have more fun. #4. Yes you can use a little luck. But skill from a handler comes from experience, and knowing those rules. And dedicating there time to coonhunting, and there dogs. Hard work and commitment to win regularly. Jmo.

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Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Burlington, CT
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I've always told people to read them and reread them, not to gain an advantage, but to ensure you know and understand the rules of the game. There's not that much to read, and I think it's the responsible thing to do, as a participant.

AND because some of the most painful hunts I've been on, weren't because someone was knowingly trying to cheat, but they questioned every call and argued constantly, because they didn't know or understand the rules. Or they knew the "rules" just fine, but they were the rules of another registry!

Hunts, especially with a bunch of independent dogs can become somewhat complicated. And when your judge is a volunteer that is trying to call their own dog, and enjoy the hunt themselves, but have to spend every minute explaining them self to someone, it quickly becomes a nightmare for them. AND depending on how patient they are, they can quickly make it a nightmare for the person with all the questions!

I also firmly believe that a misunderstanding, of an appropriately applied rule, is one of the biggest reasons folks get on this forum complaining of being cheated. All too often, they weren't cheated, they just didn't comprehend what was done, because they didn't understand the rules! So... I didn't win, I didn't like a call that was made, therefore I must have been cheated.

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I never said I got screwed I screwed myself by letting stuff slide. I understand for the most part what's going on. People think every time somebody get on here and says the hunts aren't enjoyable they don't no anything. I guided some hunts with a what you called seasoned hunter. You no what he told me he said you got screwed I told him no I didn't I screwed myself. If I have to go to a hunt and be an a**hole I would rather not go. And for you people that think I cause problems you will never hunt with a guy more laid back on a cast in your life cause it doesn't matter to me if I win or loose I no what the dogs are doing and I pay attention. Titles don't mean that much to me I just love hunting and like to see different bloodlines in action and meet new people.

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