The American Beagler Forum

I found this on the ARHA board and thought it could use all the help we could muster...

During the recent hearing with the Indiana Natural Resources Commission, the National Chairman of Quail Unlimited, IDNR biologist retired, accompanied present IDNR biologists as they proposed regulations to end beagling on state properties from April through August. That Chairman left the meeting obviously very upset when the Advisory Counsil voted to not recommend that regulation for passage by the Natural Resources Commission. And, a representative of the Indiana Deer Hunters organization offered the only bit of public support to the IDNR proposal. Instead of arguing that the beagles somehow adversely affected the deer heard that representative went on to complain that he simply moved into an area where beaglers have been running their hounds for years but he did not like to hear the beagles running rabbits. I was shocked to see these hunting organizations support regulations which would adversely affect their brothers and sisters in other hunting organizations. Any members of those organizations should voice their displeasure to the leadership of those organizations. I will continue to fight the fight on this end. While one voice may be swept away by government officials, however, the voices of 100s or 1000s cannot be ignored. Please use your computers to contact DNR director, legislators, U.S. Congressmen, governor. Remember, this is an election year. Thanks! Mace

Emery,
The Indiana Beagler's Alliance has been fighting this fight with them for about 2yrs? If you would like any more info on the struggle please check out our web site,and maybe you can start a chapter in your state?

I run beagles in Norther Indiana on tree farms, on the tree farms are alot of quail, and lots and lots of pheasants. beagles are ran several times a week all year. I have sent this same information to the IDNR. And invited the DNR biologist to observe these properties. Beagling is not harming the bird populations on these tree farms. The pheasant are increasing more each year. Quail are holding there own,you hear them more then you see them.
Indiana Dept. Natural Res. has never once showed any intrest in observing the tree farms to see why the bird population is doing so well. While there own land they are managing is not holding a good bird population. But at the same time they blame beagling for low numbers of quail.
I would like to know what is realy going on. I dont believe the story of the dog training is harming/stressing wildlife,and I believe the IDNR know that beagling is not the problem. But why are they wanting to whitle away our right to train dogs on state managed property in Indiana?????
What is it that the IDNR are not admiting to the public