Registered: Oct 2005
Location: Kenbridge,va
Posts: 3045

I have gotten to travel to alot of different states over the last 30 or so years peddling hunting supplies..The interest in our sport is still strong but thier are factions that hunt the registry of choice whether for money or trophies or just biggest coon free for alls..Our hunting base has gotten much older with interest from younguns almost non existent in some states..Some states I will say is very strong.
What i would like to see happen in a effort between the cur and fiest program and the coonhunting groups come together and host some events...If these kids get hooked on squirrel hunting they may take up coonhunting and vice versa..Im gonna use our state as only a example..We have a great date for our state hunt..end of march..no leaves to speak of and the coon hunt is sponsored and coordinated by a very strong group of gentleman that have done a great job..How about another group coming on board to help with a state squirrel hunt the same weekend..split facilities..It will draw bigger crowds into a area and hopefully some people in our sport.
What do yall fellows think??

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Registered: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 1745

Squirrel hunting got me into coonhunting ......39+ years ago.
Been coonhunting competition for 35+ years ..that's how I got hooked....on coonhunting, .but I've known countless coonhunters in those 39+ years that just don't coonhunt anymore for whatever reason... So yeah it did work for this individual .
And bringing 2 programs together on any given week will spark interest in 1 or both programs .....I can see that happening.

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

John, I think that is an excellent idea and you seem to always be trying to come up with something to help the sport grow which is great.

If I understand your thought process correctly. I think there is one large hunt a year that does something like this already. It is the large hunt in Union, SC. I think they combine Rabbit Hunts, Squirrel Hunts and Coon Hunts.
The press for the hunt is good when you can advertise a large number of dogs from each group at the event. But I have been to two of those hunts. Set up as a vendor like you have and I never saw none of the rabbit hunters or squirrel hunters like I did coon hunters. Please, I did not say this to be negative and I think your plan should move forward. I just hope that if you agree with my evaluation of the hunt already already in place. That shows that work needs to be done to somehow get the group's together.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Warsaw, New York
Posts: 4242

John that is a great idea I started out as a dyed in the wool squirrel hunter at 14, my mom got tired of cooking squirrel for me!!LOL Then I got to go coon huntin and hooked for life. We have a local coon club in Albion that started running beagle field trials last year and draw more competitors than the coon events but sure has stirred up interest and exposure for their club. They are now talkin bout having cur dog events too.

Now if we could just figure how to get the deer hunters involved!!! LOL. But great idea!!!

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Registered: Jan 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 70

Now if we could just figure how to get the deer hunters involved!!! LOL. But great idea!!! [/B][/QUOTE]


Have a bow shoot in the afternoon in between a bench show and nite hunt.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Posts: 6113

quote:

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Originally posted by Doug Robinson
Now if we could just figure how to get the deer hunters involved!!!

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Registered: Nov 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9282

How many clubs are aware that UKC offers a bundle package for coon clubs if they host a squirrel hunt in conjunction with their coon hunt?

http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthrea...eadid=928482849

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Registered: Oct 2005
Location: Kenbridge,va
Posts: 3045

quote:

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Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
John, I think that is an excellent idea and you seem to always be trying to come up with something to help the sport grow which is great.

If I understand your thought process correctly. I think there is one large hunt a year that does something like this already. It is the large hunt in Union, SC. I think they combine Rabbit Hunts, Squirrel Hunts and Coon Hunts.
The press for the hunt is good when you can advertise a large number of dogs from each group at the event. But I have been to two of those hunts. Set up as a vendor like you have and I never saw none of the rabbit hunters or squirrel hunters like I did coon hunters. Please, I did not say this to be negative and I think your plan should move forward. I just hope that if you agree with my evaluation of the hunt already already in place. That shows that work needs to be done to somehow get the group's together.

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Bruce you are correct about union hosting a dual event..Numbers I say have been steady but not sure of increase..We still set up at about 30 events and only one has had major growth that being the winter classic..This is definitely not a cure all but being both events being ukc..I'm hoping the loyalists coming out..As a vendor I know setting up is not going to show a profit every weekend but also play a lot of ball,people fish,people golf and at the end of the day you have to do it because you enjoy it..Times of yesteryear are gone so that means we have to work harder to grow our sport..Only time will tell

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Johnny please dont take my post wrong. Had nothing to do with profit or loss. It was based upon my eyes being there and reading about the large number of rabbit hunters there and the large number of squirrel hunters there along with the large number of coonhunters there. I saw the coonhunters and didnt see the other groups and I didnt see any interaction between the groups. Figure out how some interaction can take place so one group learns from the other one. Along with all the groups combining to fight those wanting to take away hunting rights. Then you have hit a home run.

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Registered: Oct 2005
Location: Kenbridge,va
Posts: 3045

quote:

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Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
Johnny please dont take my post wrong. Had nothing to do with profit or loss. It was based upon my eyes being there and reading about the large number of rabbit hunters there and the large number of squirrel hunters there along with the large number of coonhunters there. I saw the coonhunters and didnt see the other groups and I didnt see any interaction between the groups. Figure out how some interaction can take place so one group learns from the other one. Along with all the groups combining to fight those wanting to take away hunting rights. Then you have hit a home run.

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No offense taking at all ..Any ideas yours,mine or whoever I'm all for

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Registered: Dec 2013
Location: Nichols Ny
Posts: 1566

Set up a trio hunt. 3 man teams, 3 dog teams.Each team has a dog of each category on it. This is the only way I can see the different groups interacting with each other. You'd have to do it by scores in the spring n summer but fall n winter you could do the biggest bag.

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Registered: Oct 2005
Location: Kenbridge,va
Posts: 3045

The interaction with the groups is important but to help the coonhunts sustain themselves at venues that have a chance to grow is also important..United eastern rents a nice facility with plenty plenty parking in a safe location for our Va.state hunt..Some local charities cook and a few vendors show up..With addition of say a ukc squirrel hunt also it will help the town fill hotel rooms or camper spots could be collected for to keep people on site for a couple of days..Our part of the world doesnt have the big big events that some people are blessed to have with only a 3-6 hour drive...The new gentleman heading up the squirrel division is going to a great job and im sure ukc is on board to grow this part of the registry.

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