AKC and The Hoosier Tree Dog Alliance
1/20/2007 8:05:38 AM
Journal entry for January 20, 2007
I'll be climbing in the pickup and heading to Newberry, South Carolina today for a meeting with the South Carolina Coon Hunter's Association and I'm looking forward to seeing all the folks on the south side of the Carolina line. It should be a good day for driving.
HOOSIER TREE DOG ALLIANCE
The AKC is proud to be a supporter of the newly formed Hoosier Tree Dog Alliance. We've agreed to donate a portion of each entry fee at the 2007 AKC World Championhsip in Greensburg, IN to the HTDA.
Here's a recent report from AKC Senior Executive Field Rep Jerry Moll concerning our efforts to gain 40 days of training season in the Hoosier State:
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Indianapolis, IN-
The Hoosier Tree Dog Alliance attended its first “sit down” meeting with key members of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Fish & Wildlife and Enforcement Divisions Wednesday, January 17th 2007 in Indianapolis. Prior to this meeting several phone calls and e-mails had been exchanged and we continue to be impressed with the openness and professionalism extended to the Hoosier Tree Dog Alliance as a fledgling organization. This was a fantastic opportunity to set across the table and work face to face with many of the decision makers at the IDNR.
The main topic of discussion for this first meeting was the forty nights per year that Hoosier Coonhound enthusiasts are not permitted to exercise and “work” their hounds. Keep in mind dog running and raccoon taking seasons in the state of Indiana run from noon of the first day until noon of the last day. There are two separate dog running shutdown periods per year totaling forty nights. The first period runs from noon January 31st through noon February 15th, this period is fifteen nights in length. The second period extends from noon October 14th through noon November 8th, this period lasts 25 nights.
Under current Indiana law and IDNR rules, licensed Hoosier Sportsman may exercise, work and train their squirrel dog, rabbit dog, coyote hound, bird dog, fox hou nd, retriever, or any other sporting dog 365 days/nights per year. On the other hand, we the enthusiasts and trainers of raccoon hounds are not so fortunate being relegated to “taking season” and the limited “running season” in which to “work” and train our hounds. We at the HTDA believe it only fair that all Indiana Sporting Dog groups have equal opportunity to enjoy their dogs, our sport and our state.
These down days and nights are very critical time periods as they relate to Coonhound Competition and having your Coonhound prepared to compete. It is impractical for Hoosier Coonhound Competitors to seriously compete at a national level under these circumstances when fellow competitors from other states do not have to operate under these restrictions.
Additionally there are many Coonhunters in the state of Indiana who do not competition hunt. Several of these folks enjoy training young hounds, while others may just enjoy listening to their hounds run and tree. If opened up, these closed running season nights would be great opportunities for youth and families to share our great outdoors and our Hoosier Hunting Heritage. Our Coonhound companions should not be restricted to their kennels nor Coonhunters confined to their houses.
These kinds of IDNR changes involve a long process and of course we cannot expect an immediate yes or no answer to this proposal. The gentleman we met with yesterday are very open to input and will be seeking differing viewpoints from the other hunting groups here in Indiana.
If you are in favor of eliminating the two shutdowns of the Indiana Raccoon running seasons, February 1st-February 15th and October 14th –November 7th, let yourself be known. Prepare an e-mail with your thoughts about the closed running seasons and why you support the elimination of them.
Send your e-mail to jmoll@saltcreekch.com. We at the HTDA will compile these e-mail messages and provide them to the IDNR. Please be positive, professional and respectful with your messages. Thank you!!!
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