This story starts about 28 years ago I read a book in school called “Where the Red Fern Grows” that book changed me as a person in so many ways but will stick to this story for now. After reading that book cover to cover I asked my dad about getting some redbones to chase racoon with on our farm. He laughed and said we probably cant anymore dogs but I know someone who has redbones. My dad has always been a big bird dog guy so I grew with hunting dogs and we had a handful at home I think Mom would’ve lost if we got a couple more lol.
My dad and I went over to the neighbors house and asked him if he would come over and take us out chasing racoon some night in the fall. He agreed, little did I know that something would be set in motion that would change my life in that conversation.
The hunt materialized about 2 weeks later when Rodger came over with his 2 redbone coon hounds, 1 both dogs where state champion dogs and the male was a world night champ. When I saw those dogs in person I immediately fell in love and vowed to myself someday I could have my own “red” dogs. I was 10yo at this time but knew it was something I wanted. The hunt that night was amazing we treed 1 coon that turned into an all night event with swirling winds, bluff country and rain. To say I was hooked was an understatement. Everyday after that I was asking my dad to go hunting with Rodger, and for the most part we did. My dad didn’t really share my enthusiasm so after a couple weeks it would be just me tagging along with Rodger and his dogs as we chased coon all over the hillsides.
Fast forward 6 years, I had gotten my lifeguard certification and been working at the small local pool all summer saving every penny I made to buy a dog. When the end of the summer came I had enough money to buy a dog of my own and chase racoon with Rodger. This was 22years ago and I think I read every single hound hunting magazine written and spent most of my time in the back of the magazines reading about who was selling dogs and reading about blood lines. I finally landed on a guy who had dogs across the state. Rodger liked this idea too as that blood line would cross really well with his. Rodger had offered me to buy one of his puppies but I wanted to buy something we could cross and start our “own” line. The day came when I went and bought my first dog and best friend ever “Stryker”. Stryker and I spent so much time together chasing coon for 7 to short years. I shot a lot of coon over him and we got into more than one sticky situation but always made it out.
This was before cell phones and i didn't own a camera so this is one of the only pictures I have of Stryker, just happens to be the first too, it still sits on the night stand.
Through these 7 years I had with him I developed a strong desire to shoot a mountain lion with my bow over good working hounds. This dream was written down on my bucket list and my 40th birthday was going to be the year I made it happen. I started saving a few dollars every week knowing that I didn’t want cost to be an issue when this hunt happened in 15 years.
My dad and I went over to the neighbors house and asked him if he would come over and take us out chasing racoon some night in the fall. He agreed, little did I know that something would be set in motion that would change my life in that conversation.
The hunt materialized about 2 weeks later when Rodger came over with his 2 redbone coon hounds, 1 both dogs where state champion dogs and the male was a world night champ. When I saw those dogs in person I immediately fell in love and vowed to myself someday I could have my own “red” dogs. I was 10yo at this time but knew it was something I wanted. The hunt that night was amazing we treed 1 coon that turned into an all night event with swirling winds, bluff country and rain. To say I was hooked was an understatement. Everyday after that I was asking my dad to go hunting with Rodger, and for the most part we did. My dad didn’t really share my enthusiasm so after a couple weeks it would be just me tagging along with Rodger and his dogs as we chased coon all over the hillsides.
Fast forward 6 years, I had gotten my lifeguard certification and been working at the small local pool all summer saving every penny I made to buy a dog. When the end of the summer came I had enough money to buy a dog of my own and chase racoon with Rodger. This was 22years ago and I think I read every single hound hunting magazine written and spent most of my time in the back of the magazines reading about who was selling dogs and reading about blood lines. I finally landed on a guy who had dogs across the state. Rodger liked this idea too as that blood line would cross really well with his. Rodger had offered me to buy one of his puppies but I wanted to buy something we could cross and start our “own” line. The day came when I went and bought my first dog and best friend ever “Stryker”. Stryker and I spent so much time together chasing coon for 7 to short years. I shot a lot of coon over him and we got into more than one sticky situation but always made it out.
This was before cell phones and i didn't own a camera so this is one of the only pictures I have of Stryker, just happens to be the first too, it still sits on the night stand.
Through these 7 years I had with him I developed a strong desire to shoot a mountain lion with my bow over good working hounds. This dream was written down on my bucket list and my 40th birthday was going to be the year I made it happen. I started saving a few dollars every week knowing that I didn’t want cost to be an issue when this hunt happened in 15 years.
