A Look at a First-Time Coon Hunter
How it all Began
My interest in Black and Tan Coonhounds began around eight years ago. Yes, I must admit that I read Where the Red Fern Grows when I was in the 5th grade, which was my first introduction to the "sport" of coonhunting. Working with, and having a deep partnership, with a hound seemed so appealing, but I lived in a city at the time and all of this was far out of my reach. Once I moved to Montana I realized that the possibility had just opened.
At once in my new home state I began dreaming of the day that I would be able to hunt with my hounds, though I believed that to be far in the future. For no reason other than their long ears I became fixed on Black and Tans. I got my first coonhound, Worm, seven years ago. She had severe epilepsy, but was a fun dog to have. Her epilepsy resulted in mild brain damage, causing her to be unable to ever recognize that I was different from any other person she encountered. Yet I always felt that Black and Tans were the best of the coonhound breeds. Five years later she died unexpectedly and I got my next coonhound, Grub. Grub is a very compact little guy with a no-nonsence type nature. Two months ago I adopted Immis from a rescue in Tennessee. Immis is more gangly and is truly a goof-ball without a mean bone in his body. So I currently have two Black and Tans with personalities that are as different as night and day!
I do want to add a disclaimer here: I don't consider myself a real coon hunter yet. A real coon hunter has a dog that runs off leash, finds a trail, and trees the quarry without the aid of the hunter. Thus far my dog has only done these things ON leash. I spent 26 years of my life with it pounded into me that you NEVER let a hound off a leash. As I've always lived in town and have never interacted with a coon hunter I've never questioned this. I now know that people let their hounds off leash regularly, and indeed must if their dog is to do its job properly. Through this indoctrination (which until now has been very good advice) I have a great fear of unleashing the dog and stepping back. I am working on this and have made some progress but definitely not enough yet. We are moving slow due to my own bred-in fear. Once my dog trees his own quarry off-leash then I will consider myself a coon hunter. A very inexperienced and new one, but a coon hunter nonetheless. At that time I believe my dog will move from a coonhound into a coon dog.
When the day comes that my husband and I can buy some land and build our permanent home I will be able to acquire some more hounds. These hounds will come from reputable breeders and their first role will be as hunters. Their second role will be as my pets, animals that I love and cherish. Grub's first role is as my pet and second as a hunter. There lies my greatest fear--that as a pet first I am even more afraid that anything bad should happen to him on the hunt. The risks are great; hunting-related deaths are certainly not uncommon. I worry about whether or not I'll be able to forgive myself if something happens. I worry more that I would have done him a disservice because of his primary role as a companion. I guess I won't know until the time comes, and I pray that the time doesn't come.
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This photograph was staged and is not an accurate depiction of Grub.
