How many have ever been to National Coon Dog Field Trials in Kenton Oh.?

[TLWOODS]

I am just curious, How many of you have ever been to Kenton Ohio for the National field & swim trials, and the largest gun show/flea market I have ever seen. My family and I have been going for over 30 years. Oh the stories I could tell. If you've ever been you know what I mean.

[jakeo]

That is a weekend where you forget about seeing "normal people".
If you want to buy it...........they have EVERYTHING!
Always a great time.

[Michihunter]

Looks like a great time. If you had to choose one day to go, what day would that be?

[gilgetter]

no place on earth quite like it, in a good way.

[badger]

It's probably been 15 years, but I used to go all the time. What a hoot! Definitely the biggest gun show I have been to. Just don't watch "Deliverance" before you go down there!:lol:

[mparks]

Been going just about every year for 25 years or so. Since I was 4 or 5. Great place for guns, bows, dogs, and a whole lot of other stuff. Even some stuff that some would call junk.:lol: Love the camping and people watching most of all.

We started going when it had a lot to do with actual coon dogs. Now, the field trials and water races are mostly grayhounds but it is still fun to watch. The water races are quite the event down there.

[Lazy K]

I've attended Autumn Oaks which is UKC's Labor Day event for coonhounds the last 18 years straight. Always wanted to see Kenton, I've heard the stories. We are getting alot of the hound people that used to attend Kenton coming to Autumn Oaks because Kenton has turned into such a flea market. Last I heard there was very little left to do with coonhounds and Autumn Oaks is 100% coonhunting.

[bowhunter81305]

I went there once about 4-5 years ago. Picked me up a pair of nice hunting boots that I still wear today. It was a ton of fun. I would definitly go again.

[gilgetter]

lazy k is autumn oaks still in van weirt ohio? and what are the dates? went once when i ran dogs back in the 70s lotta fun thanks

[kingfisher 11]

Sure have, great time and you can buy just about anything. I did have quite an experience with some guns I bought there about 12 years ago. They were stolen and it caused me quite a bit of grief. Good thing I had witness'.

[bigrackmack]

I have heard of this show,,,,Could someone please give me an address for a mapqwest (or directions) and some dates and times, Sounds like a good time...I collect old hunting and fishing stuff and it sounds like its right up my alley.............Thanks....Mack

[mparks]

Here is there website but I didn't see any directions. Mapquest on the address in the contact area should get you there.

http://kentonnational.com/

I found an address from google and it's the right place. Mapquest to this address:
17429 State Route 292
Kenton, OH 43326

It's due South of the town of Kenton on Rte. 292. Can't miss it.

[bigrackmack]

Thanks mparks......Mack

[Michihunter]

What day is recommended if you only had one day to go?

[kingfisher 11]

Best deals are the last day but things are picked over pretty good.
Some of those guys with guns get drinking and need money to get home. They will haggle a little more and your price will be better.
I would say the first two days are the best.

I just asked my wife if she wanted to go down there this year. She said she had no urge to go again. It was her family who turned me onto that place 22 years ago. My father in law had been going down there since it first stated up.

You go down there long enough you will see almost everything. Lot of guys get stuck sleeping with the dogs.

[Michihunter]

What about the actual coondog competitions? What day would be best for that?

[Lazy K]

Gilgetter, Autumn Oaks is now held in Richmond, Indiana. It's been at the Wayne Co. Fairgrounds there for the last 10 or 12 years I'd say. Nice location. Right on the Indiana / Ohio line just east of Indy on 70.

[mparks]

What about the actual coondog competitions? What day would be best for that?

Saturday and Sunday are the best days for everything IMHO. Thursday and Friday are nice because there are fewer people but guys won't drop prices until Sat and Sun because they know the big crowds will show up then.

Like I said before, the events are dominated by greyhounds. Very few coondogs(blue ticks, black and tan, redtick, walker, etc.). During the day they have field trials where you see the greyhounds run into the tree area and that isn't all that exciting IMO since the dogs don't really tree like a classic coon hound.

The water races are my favorite to watch. Still greyhounds and a few coonhounds but it's a fun thing to watch. The water races are held at night and the people watching is something else.:lol:

There are still quite a few coonhounds for sale down there and a lot of products that cater to hound guys. Nite Light has a big booth as does Wicks. Chances to get deals from those guys at times.

[Michihunter]

Thanks mparks!!;)

[kingfisher 11]

What mparks says is true

I would say when the greyhounds starting showing up in big numbers that is when I stopped watching the trials. I do like the water races. I had a dog in it about 12 years ago.