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janet kosnik

The last and only other time I’ve attended Black and Tan Days was in ’95 at Flora IL. It was all new to me, though. This time Black and Tan Days was a bit different. Since that first time at Flora, I’ve been to the World and Autumn Oaks several times, so it wasn’t as intimidating as that B/T Days of ‘95. This time it was much more fun!

I drove 1850 miles to Ohio to visit friends before Black and Tan Days. I got to spend some time in the woods with my hounds and put up some Ohio coon. I sure enjoy hunting other parts of the country. It’s great to see the differences in the trees and undergrowth, plant life and wildflowers, and other nighttime wildlife. I guess once coonhunting gets in your blood, you enjoy the life out there at night…whereever it may be. Lots of coon back there but the weather was warm and humid and they weren’t moving ‘til after midnight. The sows were staying close and the young were staying in the trees but the hounds found ‘em anyway. But that’s just the way is that time of the year where ever you coonhunt. I wasn’t used to the humidity and warm nights. After all, my hounds water bowls at home still had ice on them some mornings before we left on our trip! But more on my hunting adventures in another article.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I traveled with 6 dogs to Ohio! My dogbox fits 4 dogs comfortably for long trips, 2 on each side. So where did I put the other 2 hounds? I lashed down a large Vari kennel behind my dogbox and one lucky dog got to spend time with me in the cab, in my brand new 2000 Toyota Tacoma. I must be nuts to allow stinky hounds in my new truck! You all know where I’m coming from, if you own ‘em too!

So, on to Black and Tan Days in Wapokaneta OH…no rain just hot. There was a great turnout of black and tan owners and their black dogs. Some friends I had hoped to see couldn’t make it but plenty did and visiting with them filled up the time before and after the show. I had intended to nite hunt at B/T days but too many friends offered to take me out pleasure hunting in their favorite woods, so it was hard to turn them down. Maybe next year I’ll get to nite hunt. I enjoy pleasure hunting more, anyway.

The show was on Saturday, May 6th with registration between 8-9am. It was kinda hectic at first since I had 2 pups to show; my male, Black and my female, Spirit. They did really well for their first big show and only the second time in a show. I didn’t expect to win with them. I was very happy with the way they stood on the bench. I then had a break after the puppy class until female Champions were shown. Now it was Ladybug’s turn to show her stuff. She was a little anxious but she’s not one of those dogs that get worked up or nervous before showing. That just happens to me! Ladybug’s looks is what the judges like and I had thought (stupid me!) that I might have a chance to win with her. Wrong again! There were 10 Champion females, I think, and we were in the second round since all dogs couldn’t be shown at the same time. There weren’t enough benches to show all dogs at once. The judge chose 2 females from each round and I thought I should’ve at least made the cut. And, I know this will sound like sour grapes but I’d bet money that if Ladybug had one of the BIG kennel names in front of hers, she would’ve had a chance of winning. Oh, well, when will I learn? It’s a shame that the judges sometime are blinded by the winning kennel name in front of the dog. Some of us little, lesser-known owners/breeders turn out a really fine hound from time to time. We should also be credited for our hard work. More people would enter the larger events if they thought they’d get a fair shake. And in the end, UKC would benefit also. They’d get the additional fees from increased entries and better press.

I need to go to just show what I raise/own in Montana and not worry about my very slim chance of taking anything home. It’s fun to think about it but not very realistic. We’re at a disadvantage out here in the West because it’s hard to get to the big shows to be seen. It all takes time and money and many miles behind the wheel and lots of us don’t have one or the other, or both. I can’t even find a Black and Tan Sectional within 1000 miles of me! And that was something I really wanted to do this year. I have limited vacation time from work, like everyone else and, of course, funds and although I’d like to attend all the big events, it’s just not possible. I’m gonna push my checkbook to the limit this year and go cross-country twice. I’m gonna do the World Show this year. That’s if Ladybug doesn’t come into heat at that time. You just never know! I qualified Ladybug for the World while I was still in Ohio at the Jeromesville Coonhunters Club so the pressure’s off. Now I can concentrate on qualifying my pups. But to take a registered dog to the World is really a shot in the dark. They only look at the CHs and GR CHs. This time I’ll go just to show the Bug without any expectations and have another chance to visit with friends who live far away.

But all in all, Black and Tan Days was great. The concession area is addicting and it’s hard to get away from there with money in your pocket. I bought a new pair of uninsulated waders, collars, Sunburst Saturn light collars (they’re terrific!), a couple of new livetraps, coon squallers and, of course, T-shirts. So I spent most of what I brought but I did manage to leave with enough to buy a water-resistant jacket back near my friend’s in Centerburg. I put aside the cash to pay my dogsitter, too. She’s very important. I couldn’t have gone on my trip without her.

I traveled to Ontario Canada after Black and Tan Days following Dorcas and Terri Dolbear to their place in Wyoming near the big city of Sarnia. I’ll include a tale or two of that trip along with my hunting while in Ohio along with pictures in another article.

The pictures below are from the show. The first one is Black and me in the male puppy class. You can see Lester McElwee behind at the table with the mike as announcer. I know I couldn’t understand a word over that PA system. It’s a good thing that Doc Birdsall was Ringmaster to get us in correct order. You can also see Homer Cox right behind Black’s head. He did very well with his hounds. And that’s Kathy Shorter hidden in Black’s tail. And we know that she did well, as usual. And the second picture is ladybug in the CH female class. Look at those big trophies. I would’ve loved to have had to find the room in my truck to take one home! This isn’t the best picture of her but she still looks good.

Hope you Black and Tan owners that have never made it to this event can find your way there sometime. It’s a great time, lots of folks to talk dogs with and plenty of supplies to buy. It’s always held in great coon country and the hunts bring in high scores. A good time for all!