I'm with bucket, no I don't own a pen or run one. But I've ran long enough to know the cost to run one hasn't gone up that much and the price of game is less. Coyotes used to go for 125$ to 150$ I had access to 50 before trapping season went out. Yotes with rabies vaccines,Ivomec, and wormed out. Could not get 75 each so they were sold for food to Vietnamese who paid more than a pen was willing to pay. Don't ask me who, what,how and why I don't even want to think about it. I don't like running them nasty things much less know they get eat and unfortunately I was told they were considered like prize food similar to lamb chops or well that's all my stomach can take to just think it. Nasty.
So onward the Trapper said he would not take less than that and wished the price was more like they started with. Dog feed is higher but you can feed the cheaper feed. Entry fee is higher prizes are cheap. I'm asking for something that is a win for all. Like said bowls leashes collars shirts etc. Add a fairly nicer prize for the top prizes to make it more interesting. Don't get me wrong trophies are nice to get for that matter any time you get your name called a 2 dollar plastic frame with a printed paper is more then nothing.
Since the can was opened pens that have gone from 10 dollar 's per hound or 11 for NCPOA ,to some that are now 15 and 20 bucks a hound to sponsor a hunt. It don't take a rocket scientist to see who is being fair to the hunters. The pens that are busy with hunts ,That's who I'll support and spend a little more to Attend a hunt. Times are harder now than they have ever been since I started with running Hounds. Entry fee one or two class s / d, 15 to 20 bucks. HGA was 20 to 25 $ 2 and 3 day hunts 30 to 35 bucks. It's open knowledge the cost of living is higher no doubt but income has not changed nearly enough to keep up somebody has got to give, or even though we all love the Hounds running and the anti 's are at every corner, their not gonna be the down fall of running Hounds in or out of the wire. The cost to run for fun and the price of competing is gonna shut it down.
I'm all for running Hounds,don't matter how, yes I prefer outside to a pen. I would rather run fox than a yote but as I'm posting this I'm running in a pen with coyotes as the main game. Why, I've adapted to what's the option available, if you compete you got to go with the game your running. Right now I'm listening to some great running I'm running Hounds that are in a pen for the first time as well as seasoned game Hounds that's been around and can handle a race wherever the tail gate drops and loving it. I'm getting Hounds in shape ready to compete. That's the way it is so that is why I go with the flow. I only wish I could go more often and take all the Hounds I have that are good enough to go.
Last for the record Here is a chance to lower expense, draw a better turn out even with higher entry fee. I don't see how that is anything close to complaining.

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