Has the peak interest in beagling passed

[Dr. Chris]

The truth of the matter is, Rabbit Hunting and Beagling is not down. Field Trialing and communicating on this board and other forums in general, are down.

According to “census.gov”, small game hunting is up, growing anywhere from 3% to 6% a year since 2006. But if you look in old magazines and newer magazines at the trial results and compare them from the 90’s to today’s results, you will see a huge decrease. Much of this has to do with the “work horses” of the field trial clubs have either grown old or passed on, and many of the clubs have closed in result, and there is also the “money” issues.

As far as the boards and forums go, many of the “old timers” that really had the hands on experience during the “old days” and seen some of the greats and very best have again, grown old or passed on. I know I liked to hear the “wisdom” of Terry McBride, Bernard Mullinex and a few others that made different subjects interesting because you knew their input was from pure experience and not theory or something they just read about somewhere. These guys were and are men of integrity who never had anything negative to say and was always “helpful” in any way they could be.

There are still some really good Beaglers that come on the board, and a whole lot more that would more often if every comment didn’t get dissected and some “want-a-be” didn’t try to be so negative, rude and derogatory. Some people seem to live to disprove and tear down others and try to bring “glory” or attention to themselves, and they only look like fools and hurt the quality of the forum itself. No wonder some of these people with more experience and knowledge don’t come on here that often.

Look at the membership and look at who actually comes on the board, who wants to come on here and be attacked by a person who thinks they are “beagle royalty” in their own mind?

I believe Beagling as a whole has done well taking into consideration that it is basically a self-sustaining sport. No TV shows, major magazine stories, not pushed or backed by major celebrities or hunting gear sponsored… just an isolated community of small game hunters keeping it going over the years. Hunt Clubs, families and individual groups are keeping Beagling and Rabbit Hunting alive.

[chapkosbeagles]

dr chris i strongly disagree forsure i dont think the negitive responces on this board has anything to do with guys getting into rabbit hunting or going to trials jmo but way to vent

[Mo. Beagler 5000]

Small game hunting is defeniately down as a whole......


forum.finsandfur.net/index.php?topic=7826.0;wap2
www.post-gazette.com/pg/08293/921092-358.stm
http://www.michigan.gov/.../0,1607,7-15 ... --,00.html
blogs.wvgazette.com/.../w-va-expands-young-hunters-small-game-options/

not sure where they are getting the facts or what percent is rabbit hunting but small game is truely in decline... some states have the same number of hunters as 50 years ago but as a percent of population it is astronomically declining...

I bet in the great depression nearly 85 percent of the population hunted and now I bet less than 30 percent do.... (note: I pulled this statistic out of my butt---just a guess so don't jump me for it....

[Dr. Chris]

dr chris i strongly disagree forsure i dont think the negitive responces on this board has anything to do with guys getting into rabbit hunting or going to trials jmo but way to vent

I agree with you, I didn’t say the negative responses on this board had anything to do with guys getting into rabbit hunting or going to trials. I said the negative responses will and has kept some away from the forum. And people are going to have a difference in opinions, debate can be good and fun. But a select few that make it their life mission to disprove everybody, tear everybody down and to be argumentative to an extreme, takes the fun out of the experience of this or any forum.

As far as Rabbit Hunting and Field Trials, I said Field Trials have decreased because of money and because the work horses that established the clubs and kept them going, are mostly gone with nobody stepping up to take their place.

Rabbit Hunting and Beagling is now much stronger than 10 years ago. Just Google “Hunt Clubs in Michigan”, or whatever state you live in. You will find hunt clubs all over with very high memberships with many Rabbit Hunters. Or search Rabbit Hunting Guide Services.

The original question was “has the peak interest in beagling past”, my point was, you can’t gage it by the lack of interest in Field Trialing or these forums, because there are thousands of Beaglers and Rabbit Hunters who are highly interested and still involved, {with great dogs by the way} but there are reasons why they are not drawn to Field Trials or Forums like this one and others. Field Trials are a very small representation of the Hunting Beagles and Beaglers that are really out there. Some of the Beagle Breeders and Kennels that have the best “Gun Dogs” are houndsman that are affiliated with Gun Hunters and Hunt Clubs, rather than mostly Trialers only.

Small game hunting is defeniately down as a whole......


forum.finsandfur.net/index.php?topic=7826.0;wap2
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08293/921092-358.stm
http://www.michigan.gov/.../0,1607,7-15 ... --,00.html
blogs.wvgazette.com/.../w-va-expands-young-hunters-small-game-options/

not sure where they are getting the facts or what percent is rabbit hunting but small game is truely in decline... some states have the same number of hunters as 50 years ago but as a percent of population it is astronomically declining...

I bet in the great depression nearly 85 percent of the population hunted and now I bet less than 30 percent do.... (note: I pulled this statistic out of my butt---just a guess so don't jump me for it....

As far as statistics, when the surveys were taken in 1996, surveys were mailed to those who got small game hunting license. What they fail to tell you in some of the articles that they write, 78% of the surveys were not mailed back in. Another year they had the hunters take a survey concerning the year previous before and as they were receiving their hunting license. The results were much different. It is not like it was in the 50’s or 60’s, and it will never be, but it is on the rise. http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/fhw06-pa.pdf

[northernhare]

I agree with bunnyblaster, people do not chalenge themselves to be active and productive anymore. I also agree with Fleetwood people are obsessed with antler & hype. There are not the naturalist, woodsman, and outdoorsman that there use to be. Many People are not hunting for self - enjoyment or improvement but to prove things to other people!

This is a youtube video that I think kinda pertains to this subject from Nutnfancy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfx73Z6fhbc

[mybeagles]

Chap

i think all kind should have a video game and be able to play it in moderation. as it is proven that it helps build hand eye cordination,and is great for your moterskills as well. when i say moderation. a parent should have a tv time/video game time ext.

I always thought playing catch with a football, baseball, climbing trees, playing tag, pounding with a hammer, etc........did a good job building hand eye coordination.

What about the proven problems with tv/video games increasing the obesity rates in children, damaging the eyes, increasing violent behavior.........?

You wont convince me, but.......it does help parents keep the kids out of their hair, allows them to watch their tv programs without having to keep their children occupied........

Mybeagles

[bucks better beagles]

Mo. Beagler 5000: Agree whole heartedly. I have also taught school. I see nothing wrong with the teachers, their unions or the system. Nothing that is that is different from what it was 50 years ago when I was in high school. Some people make it and some don't. If your kid is having trouble, help him/her. Encourage them. Take responsibility. Please don't just pass the blame to an anonymous teacher some where.

Dr. Chris: There is no question beagling and rabbit hunting is down. Just look at the number of licenses being sold in the state of Michigan as an example. Way down from 10 years ago.

[Jakeboy]

Everyone says its the kids these days with there stupid video games and cell phones. What about the parents that get em this crap and let them do it, its not just the kids fault but the parents also. I was brought up where you had to work for a dollar and I was raised to have a hard work ethic most of my family is in the construction business. I never had any of that video game stuff and that is a huge thing for my generation. My son is only 4 years old and I am doing the same thing for him he is outside by my side helping me if its making firewood, working, or running dogs . He has no interest in video games or even TV for that matter. He would rather be romping around with dad doing what a country boy loves to do . I guess what i am trying to say is that its not just the kids people have to blame the person in the mirror they are our kids. We are the ones letting the kids end up like that!!

[Dave Swiger]

I'm a school teacher and have a 15 year old son. He has all of the video games as other kid do and then some. He lives on
!50 a. farm and loves to hunt and fish. Sometimes he loves to hunt too much. I dont think you can put all kids in the same catorgy. I started taking him hunting when he was two. Carried him on my shoulders rabbit hunting when he got tired. He killed seven deer legally last year and three this year. Depends on how you raise them.

Dave

[Jakeboy]

Well put DAVE thats what I was trying to say!! I agree 100%