Definition of a Coon Hunter
This article can be found in the February 1997 issue of Coonhound Bloodlines on page 120
"Definition Of A Coon Hunter"
by Sam Bolender
I've had people ask who or what are coon hunters? So from curiosity I looked it up in Webster's Dictionary. It wasn't there. But I found it in the Great Big Book of Strange Creatures.
It defined them as follows: a person - male, female, fat, skinny, short or tall. What do they look like? They look like: a farmer, a laborer, a lawyer, a factory worker, or even a housewife!
Range: roams throughout North America, found virtually any night of the year, weather seldom bothers them, mostly in wooded areas, next to farm land, creeks; water a must. Can be found in the swamps, but mostly during winter months. Bugs, snakes, briars, itch weed, burrs and thistles don't seem to bother them much. Can be seen in daylight virtually in any coffee shop or restaurant. You might find one hung up in a fence, but mostly seen in gateways. Can be seen driving pickup trucks, station wagons, and a few in vans, some on mules or standing next to highways with bright lights.
Easy to identify, they will usually be smiling while leading a dog, can be picked out in a crowd by the cap their wearing with Nite Champion Jim, Duke or Red written on them. Dress wear varies, usually found in rubber boots and hard hats, some in tennis shoes and ball caps.
Smell or odor: most smell normal, yet some might have a slight aroma of skunk, ripe tomatoes or even a wet dog.
Where can you find them living? Most live in small country towns, and yes some in the big city. While driving, watch for several dog houses, or cages in the yard, front or back. Watch for lawn ornaments of dogs treeing cats or coons, dogs and boots on the front porch, coon hide hanging on the shed. Yes! That's where they live.
What is their purpose: to pass on the sport of hunting and sportsmanship to the next generation, to help control the population of raccoons, to ensure the hunting privilege, and to show respect to property and property owners.
They are not too rare, but they are an endangered species.
