Beagles return to Coshocton for McVay hunt
COSHOCTON — Beagles will be returning to Coshocton this month for the Don McVay Sr. Memorial Beagle Hunt sponsored by the Coshocton County Beagle Club and the McVay Family which will take place at Schumaker Farms in West Lafayette on Aug. 23- 25. 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. The 2012 event marked the PKC’s largest event ever and this year we expect over 1,000 people in attendance.”
McVay says 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 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 that will occur sometime between noon and 1 p.m. They also can take part in the raffle of items which will be between noon and 2 p.m. “This hunt is designed to give back to the hunter by having a raffle of items totaling $28,000. Tickets are sold the day of the event for six for $5.”
McVay explains that for the event the participants are 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 several 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 more information about the Don McVay Sr. Memorial Hunt, contact Dave McVay at (740) 502-3953. For more information regarding other local attractions, events, and lodging, please contact the Coshocton Visitors Bureau at (740) 622-4877 or the website at www.visitcoshocton.com.
Category: Clubs & Organizations, People & Places
