SC: Grand American Racoon Hunt Comes to Orangeburg

Grand American Racoon Hunt Comes to Orangeburg

Ashleigh Walters 1/7/2011 7:28:15 PM Updated: 1/7/2011 7:47:25 PM



Orangeburg, SC (WLTX) -- It claims to be the nation's largest field trial for racoon-hunting dogs. There is a qualifying event for the World Coon Hunt. Those who arrive bring decades of a generational experience.

The Orangeburg Fair Grounds become transformed when the Grand American Coon Hunt comes to town. People admire, buy, sell and trade hunting dogs and gear.

Much like the dogs they raise, the people involved learn as children.

Julius Batten said, "I been coming ever year since I was probably ten years old."

Tammy Reavas said, "I'm an only child and I grew up on a farm and my dad started me out when I was just little."

Thus, a younger generation is milling about the crowd of experienced hunters.

Eight-year-old Nathan Kinlaw said, "Whole lot of dogs around here that I like"

Eight-year-old Brice Smith explained, "Either you just let the dog go out in the woods and try to find the coon, while you're waiting, or you can go with the dog."

Trinity Rice, age four, explained, "We put the cage in front and then we get 'em."

The dogs are a big draw for both children and adults.

Rice said, "We saw little ones."

Her friend, three-year-old Haven Main, added, "and big ones too."

Jacob Birmingham, age sixteen, said, "Just the fun, the sport, being able to be with the dogs and just train the dogs."

Jacob Register, age nine, gestured with his hands and said, "There's one, he's probably about that big, his name is Hoake. And his paws are about that big around!"

Jarod Tyson is twelve, and explained, "It's not really about going out there and trying to get the coon or nothing, it's mostly about the thrill of having fun, of letting the dogs out and letting them run around loose for a while."

Tens of thousands of people and dogs attend the festival each year in Orangeburg. Saturday, the crowd is expected to be larger than Friday, as people gather to witness the qualifying competitions.

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