Don McVay Sr. Memorial Beagle Hunt approaching
COSHOCTON — Beagles will be returning to Coshocton soon for the Don McVay Sr. Memorial Beagle Hunt sponsored by the Coshocton County Beagle Club and the McVay Family. This UKC Hunting Beagle sanctioned event will take place at Schumaker Farms in West Lafayette Sept. 4–7. Spectator admission and parking are free. Dave McVay is the event chairman.
“We will see hunters here from all over the country at this event since it has become one of the most prestigious events to win,” said Dave McVay. “In recent years, we have had between 150 to over 200 dogs in the hunt. This year, we expect even more since all first round winners in each class will be qualified for the 2014 world championships.”
McVay said the hunt draws participants from across Ohio as well as from several states including New Mexico, Missouri, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Michigan, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Iowa, and Virginia. Most of them stay in the Coshocton or Newcomerstown area.
“This year’s event is again a money event where the winners will receive a very large payout,” McVay said. “The beaglers really like coming to Coshocton County. With the UKC Nationals here each April, the beaglers have become very familiar with Coshocton and the running grounds that the Coshocton County Beagle Club have are some of the best in the country.”
The public is welcome to attend the event. McVay says visitors can show up and go out on a cast as a spectator or they can watch a show. Thursday, Sept. 4, there will be a music jam session at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, there will be a parade of champions at 7 p.m.; Saturday evening bench show will be around 6 p.m. followed by a huge raffle at 7 p.m.
“This hunt is designed to give back to the hunter and we have big raffle items totaling over $30,000,” said McVay. “The public is encouraged to participate in this raffle. Tickets are sold at the event for six for $5.”
McVay explains that for the event the participantsare split into four dog cast or groups. “They are released into the field in areas of permission throughout the county,” he said. “The dogs are to hunt without assistance from a handler to find a rabbit. They are judged by how quickly they find a rabbit and once the rabbit is seen, they are judged on how they cross an imaginary line drawn where the rabbit is seen. The dog with the highest points in one hour wins. There are no guns allowed. The dogs are scored by pencil and scorecard.”
There is also a bench show where the dogs are scored based on the confirmation and movement of each hound. Conformation is the requirements of the breed standard as set by each kennel club.
This event is sponsored by the Coshocton County Beagle Club and numerous other sponsors.
“Don McVay Sr. was an avid beagler and was respected by so many beaglers,” said McVay. “We want to welcome the public to come and take part in the event. Food will be served by Schumakers and several vendors will be there as well.”
For information about the Don McVay Sr. Memorial Hunt, contact Dave McVay at 502-3953.
Category: People & Places
