McVay Memorial Hunt about family, friends
WEST LAFAYETTE – The 13th annual Don McVay Sr. Memorial Beagle Hunt brings beagle enthusiasts from Ohio, surrounding states and even the Carolinas, Missouri and others. Why? A quick observation of those that attend tells you that not only is this a prestigious event but that it is really one big, extended family. Competitors sure, but family still. And families are getting into the sport in a big way – with more kids and females participating than ever before.
Chase Jackson of Mount Vernon is one of those youth. Ten years old, his dog is named Big Horn Hunter and is from the family’s kennel, Jackson Boys Gun Dog Kennels. Chase said he’s been hunting dogs “My whole life.” He enjoys hearing them run rabbits and spending time with his dad. Chase said the dogs are “cute.” The whole family feeds and waters the dogs.
Allen Gingerich, who is the senior director of all hunting events for the United Kennel Club and was on hand to support the event said, “This event has become one of the biggest events in the country. It is unique – it has a very unique format and that is what makes it special. The camaraderie – especially the older hunters that knew Don McVay Sr. – it is a great, fun, relaxing event.”
“UKC is a family oriented event – at least that is what we strive for – and this is a great example of that. The more kids and females we can get in, we get excited about that.”
Gingerich said this about the McVay family, “They are second to none when it comes to putting effort into a hunt. What they put into this one for example, they have over $50,000 in prizes. It seems every year that it just goes up. They are phenomenal at what they do.”
An emotional Vada McVay said, “This is outstanding. It’s just really impressive the people that come from everywhere. I don’t know for sure where the furthest one away comes from – but the people that come from so far away – the magnitude of that is something – and in memory of my husband, Don McVay Sr. This year was one of the biggest and the best. We have UKC here, Garmin, the Purina Company, it’s just overwhelming. I just don’t know how to express my thankfulness for everybody.”
Vada attributes the success of the hunt to “Hard work. The boys – they are tremendous. The Coshocton County Beagle Club – we can’t thank them enough. It takes a team and our team works together. There is no “I” in team. We all work together; Dave has been tremendous this year. He has been the master of 90 percent of it – it takes the whole family to come together to pull an event like this off. I am thankful for everybody and for everything that was done.”
mark@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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