Event Reflections

Throughout the year MPHC conducts many events giving folks the opportunity to hunt with us and our hounds.  Until now those hunts went without mention, yet there are so many tales to be told.  This page is intended to reflect on those hunts.  If you have a story, please send it to: missy@bayingbriars.com or ardenr@proaxis.com
Thank You and we hope our success with the community continues in hunting with hounds.

Disabled Hunters Event

The disabled hunters event was started some 20 years ago to give hunters in chairs or with other physical limitations a chance to get out, do some small game hunting, meet up with friends, make new friends - over all just to have a good time.  The members of MPHC certainly enjoy this event as much as the participants.

2009 -M.Fix

                                  

  Last bit of info before heading out                                                             Laddie brings in the bounty

The day was a complete success!  I was to handle my dogs for Bill and his friend Rick.  Loreli Fister handled her dog ‘Belle’ and Lyle Jack’s dog ‘Mac’ - (Lyle was in charge of making lunch to he had to stay behind); that gave us 5 hounds to assist Bill in a great hunt.  It didn’t take long for the dogs to get the rabbit up and running for the morning.  I believe we were out for around 3.5 hours, and Bill took every rabbit he shot at which were 3 – one brush bunny and two cottontails.   The dogs found a few others, but they were sneaky enough to elude the dog’s noses.  Bill has been coming out to this event for many years, saying he missed last years because he got married.  Congratulations Bill!  His side kick ‘Rick’ had never been around hunting hounds before and was filled with ah and questions.  He was fascinated by the way the dogs found and held the rabbit tracks; and how completely consumed they were with their work.    I for one have always said we should all approach our jobs with the same enthusiasm as that of our four legged companions here.  Of the three rabbits taken by Bill, the last one proved quite a challenge. 

The dogs must have circled that bunny 4 times, in big circles.  Contrary to the belief that all rabbits run counter clockwise, this one apparently thought he was in the Southern Hemisphere as all of his tricks were ran clockwise.  The rabbit had Bill going in circles waiting for that perfect shot.  Finally he fired off two  and I would swear there was smoke coming off the backside of that rabbit; surely that was the end of that run – not quite.  Bill spun around as the rabbit headed for the road behind him and lit off another round – which only sped him up.  With the dogs in hot pursuit, we got Bill off the road and discovered there was no way the rabbit could get through where we now stood without a clean shot from Bill.  Ah, foiled again by the crafty critter as it zig and zag through the briar and back out from where he came; but this was the spot to be when the dogs ran him back through.  So it was, Bill got his third and tiresome rabbit.    

                                   

                                   Bill reloading for another try

I know that this hunt was wearing on Bill, but to see him out there giving it his all and thoroughly enjoying the day made me glad that I could be part of this event. 

Over all  the day was a success with 23 beagles; 10 handlers; 6 hunters; and 18 rabbits harvested.  We want to say ‘Thank You’ to our hunters, handlers, ODFW personnel and Area Hosts.  Because of everyone’s efforts more friends have been made and memories built.

                                                                                                                   The group starts piling in as the morning begins

                                                                                                                                                  One tired dog gets special treatment after a job well done.

This is an email Jerry Ray received the even after the hunt from his hunter - Darrel

Hi Jerry

    The rabbits are in the frying pan and on low heat. I took a sample taste and it's really very tasty!!! Probably about another 30 minute and it will be falling off the bone! Thanks Jerry for another exciting hunt and a great time shooting rabbits. That was non-stop fun, chasing rabbits and hearing the dogs on the chase and putting them in the frying pan! Good weather, lots of rabbits, and good friends!

Darrel

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
2/12/10 Article on the Small Game Hunting Clinic

http://www.StatesmanJournal.com
Henry Miller | Statesman Journal



[Luke Arzner (left) and Kevin Sullivan, both 9
of McMinnville, hunted for rabbits with Mike
Baker of the Mary's Peak Hound Club and                                                    
beagles Liberty, Rebel and Cupcake II.]

Quick rabbits test patience skills of youth hunting group
Henry Miller
January 28, 2010

CORVALLIS — If you need evidence about why agriculture
and domestication of livestock replaced hunter/gatherer
cultures, this was Exhibit A.
"I got to shoot at this one rabbit three times, and it wouldn't go down," said Luke Arzner, 9, of McMinnville.  He
wasn't alone.  "I  almost swiped the shotgun from him," said Mike Sullivan, the father of another hunter, Kevin,
9, also of McMinnville.  Then he laughed.  "Nawww, just kidding," Mike Sullivan said.

Luke and Kevin were participants Saturday during the annual Small Game Hunting Clinic at
E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area.
The event was sponsored by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Mary's Peak
Hound Club.
Mike Sullivan and Luke's father, Ryan, were along as mentors during the hunt.
Actually, Luke's bunny got a lot of exercise.  Teresa Morales of Corvallis also had a shot at it.
 "They're really fast," she said in perhaps the biggest understatement of the day.

According to Jerry Ray of the Hound Club during a briefing before the hunters, beagles and
handlers set out, there are an estimated 20,000 rabbits on the 1,600-plus-acre wildlife area
north of Corvallis.

Judging by the number of shots heard fired during the morning, and the dearth of results when
everyone showed up for lunch, the only threat to the quarry was overexertion.
The younger Arzner and Sullivan, along with Morales, found out early as the sun burned off the
1 / 2 morning fog and chill that it wasn't going to be a cinch.
"Get in there, Cupcake. Get the bunny," said Bobby Baker, the owner of a trio of beagles,
Cupcake II, Liberty and Rebel.  "Go get that rabbit," Baker's son, Mike, added, pointing to a small
break in the tangle of blackberries.

Single file, almost nose-to-tail, the three dogs shimmied and crawled into the thick brush.
Silence, a slight rustling of the tops of the thicket as the dogs worked their way toward the
middle, then the first excited yodel.  In quick succession, the other two picked up the chorus.
About a minute later, a gray blur shot across the clearing.
Morales raised her shotgun, the rabbit seemed to evaporate, and she lowered the barrel,
grinning.  "Safety," she said, indicating it all happened so fast, she didn't get to click it off.
That happened a lot.

At about 12:30, the open-air trolley, a flatbed trailer with benches that was towed by a truck,
arrived to pick up the party.  On the way back to the headquarters building, it stopped to pick another
group that had similar opportunities all morning, and with identical results.
So instead of hasenpfeffer, it was barbecued burgers and chips for lunch.
None of the participants seemed to mind.
"It was fast, fun, exciting. Absolutely," Morales said.
"It was awesome," Luke Arzner offered, echoing a comment his dad had made minutes before.
Kevin Sullivan was grinning from ear-to-ear.
"I think it was really, really cool," he said, kneeling to pet Cupcake II, the youngest of the three
dogs.
hmiller@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6725
Copyright © 2010 - StatesmanJournal.com All rights reserved.
2 / 2

    Much sympathy and appreciation are due you, Larry.  Though you suffered the tragic loss of your dog,  you demonstrated dignity and respect for all involved.  
    There is disunity within our state hound organization.  It’s my hope we can come to an agreement that will benefit all and enhance the whole hound community.
    It’s a shame that the state agency, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, would see fit to try to curtail hunting opportunity on any level.  I’m speaking of the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Management Plan and the idea that there would be no small game hunting on the island.  
     What can I say about a mans dog being shot, our hound community divided and the out-of-control Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and its haughty manifesto restricting hunting of any kind on the island?  Well, I could  say a whole lot, but I’ll follow Larry’s lead.  I’ll remain calm and focus on the positive.
    What I can say, is that, it’s a fact, we all benefit from a longtime great relationship between Mary’s Peak Hound Club and the Oregon United Sporting Dog Association.  For this we credit the inspiration of our late friend, Mr. Red Phillips.  It was his desire to involve the youth, and thereby assure that hound hunting would continue to prosper over time. Held yearly in his honor were the Red Phillips Youth Rabbit and Coon Hunts.  Following is a report of the results of our 2010 hunts.
      It was on the dark and drizzling night of January 16, that nine youngsters stepped out in search of Mr. Ringtail.  They formed three casts, each hunter competing with his own or a borrowed hound . 

    The first cast consisted of:
    Lucas Hopkins of Terrebonne, Oregon, and his dog Brutis.  
    Wade Foster of Terrebonne, Oregon, and his dog Camo.  
    Ryan Foster of Terrebonne, Oregon, and his dog Breeze.  
    The judge for this cast was Amanda Foster.  I’m sorry to say they saw no coon, and they had no plus points.
    The second cast consisted of:
    Colt Martin of Bend, Oregon, and his dog Tag.  
    Hunter Martin of Bend, Oregon, and his dog Maggie.  
    Molly Wentz of Gladstone, Oregon, and her dog Huckleberry.  
    The judge for this cast was Libby Wentz, and they saw eleven coon.  Yea!  Eleven coon!
    The third cast consisted of:
    Tori Baker of Salem, Oregon, and her dog Rowdy.  
    Eliesa Baker of Salem, Oregon, and her dog Thunder.  
    Jeremy Abendroth of Portland, Oregon, and his dog Tracker.  
    The judge for this cast was Chris Baker, and they saw four coon.

    Then came the morning of January 30.  Sixteen youngsters showed up to be beaglers, yell “tally ho,” and eat hot dogs. Ted Kistner, Master of Hounds, assembled four casts, each with four young hunters and an adult judge.  These kids too competed either with their own dogs or with dogs from the “beagle pool.”  
    Lyle Jack was the judge for the first cast:  
    Caleb Perez, age 6, handled Mac.  
    Israel Perez, age 6, handled Bluebell.
    Allison Paynter, age 8, handled Poncho.  
    Issac Daran, age 11, handled Turbo.

    Curt Wilcox was the judge for the second cast:
    Janie Wilcox, age 7, handled Frosty.
    Emily Brown, age 7, handled Trigger.
    Emma Steele, age 10, handled Moon.
    Eliesa Baker, age 11, handled Rebble.
 
    Chris Baker was the judge for the third cast:  
    Lane Baker, age 5, handled Cricket.
    Tori Baker, age 14, handled Liberty.
    Ava Gwyn, age 3, handled Danny.
     McKenzie Gwyn, age 3, handled Rosco.
 
    Jerry Ray was the judge for the fourth cast:
    Tanner Weston, age 10, handled Miah.
    Madison Weston, age 10, handled Bounce.
    Zack Brantner, age 11, handled Gracy.
    Andrew Paynter, age 10, handled Ox.    
    
    As in the past, awards were made available from OUSDA.  The winners of each cast with plus points won $50.00 U.S. Saving Bonds.  The first place winners of the coon hunt and rabbit hunt received large trophies, and all the young hunters received participation ribbons.  Hunter Martin took first place in the coon hunt, and Eliesa Baker took second place.  In the rabbit hunt,  Zack Brantner took first, Janie Wilcox took second, Allison Paynter took third, and Tori Baker took fourth.  These hunts were conducted under United Kennel Club (UKC) rules.  No fire arms were allowed, and no critters were harmed.    
    So what I can say now for sure is that kids really do want to hunt, and when you give them the opportunity, they will definitely participate.  But what I need to say is, “Thank you, OUSDA, for funding the events!  And thank you, MPHC and friends, for volunteering your time, your skill, and all your fun-loving hounds!”

2011 Red Phillips Beagle and Coonhound Hunts

 Participators of the RP Coonhound Night Hunt

Coon Hunt:

            Place                    Name               Age          Residence Dogs Name    

            1^st              Cole McFetridge         14      Gold Hill, Oregon        Buddy

            2^nd                Ryan Foster             10      Terrebone, Oregon        Camo

 

     Participation      Colt Martin                  12      Bend, Oregon                Maggie

            “                  Cole McFetridge       14      Gold Hill, Oregon            Buddy

            “                  Janie Wilcox                 8      Lebanon, Oregon          Moose

            “                  Shayla Flowers             9            Lyons, Oregon         Sassy

            “                  Wayde Foster            12      Terrebone, Oregon        Brutis

            “                  Hunter Martin             11      Bend, Oregon                Bella

 Participants of the RP Beagle Field Trial

Beagle Rabbit Hunt:

            1^st              Austin Ray                     3      Albany, Oregon             Bounce

            2^{nd  *}           Lane Baker                   6      Salem, Oregon              Cricket

            2^{nd *}            Lane Surplus                 2      Sweet Home, Oregon   Danny Boy

 

Participation           Janie Wilcox                  8      Lebanon, Oregon            Frosty

            “               Hannah Ray                    9      Albany, Oregon              Blacky

            “                Kaylee Surplus               4     Sweet Home                   Trigger

            “                Tori Baker                   14     Salem, Oregon                 Liberty

            “                Leesa Baker                12      Salem, Oregon                 Cupcake

            “        Emma &Christian Steele    11 / 9    Corvallis, Oregon            Blue Moon

            “          Olivia Hunphress                   2     Sweet Home, Oregon       Blue Belle

 

* Both won their cast with the same points a tie. 

 

            Two great days for the “Red Phillips Youth Hunts.”  Sure it was a bit cool and rainy for the coon hunt.  But, that’s coon hunting and they all saw coon.  The rabbit hunt was sunny and real pleasant.  That’s not normal for this time of the year here in Oregon.  However, all the kids had a great time and enjoyed both hunts.  A big thanks to our club members who provided time and made  dogs available for both hunts.  Joe Melson, Amanda and Calvin Foster, Bob and Chris Baker, Curt and Ben Wilcox, Loreli Fister, Jerry Ray, Adam Steele, Jim Gee, Missy Fix and Lyle Jack.  We want to thank Ted Kistner for being our “master of hounds” at the beagle event.

 

            As in the past it is our pleasure (MPHC) to team with OUSDA and conduct these very popular hunts.  The winner of each hunt, coon hound, Cole McFetridge and beagle, Austin Ray received first place trophies and ribbons were awarded to all other participants.  The winners of each cast, Cole McFetridge, Ryan Foster, Austin Ray, Lane Baker, and Lane Surplus will receive a $50.00 U.S. each compliments of OUSDA.