By Rita Howell
An official with the Bluetick Breeders of America confirmed last week that the breed association’s popular Bluetick Days coon hunting event will be held in Batesville next May.

It will be the second major coonhound event to take advantage of the raccoon-rich woods of Panola County and adjacent areas of Northwest Mississippi.

The United Kennel Club’s late January Winter Classic coon hunt and bench show have brought nearly 1,000 dogs, with handlers, owners and families, to the Batesville Civic Center for the past three years.
The Bluetick Days spring hunt is also a UKC-sanctioned event, now set to move next year from Indiana to Batesville.

“It hasn’t been in the South since 1991,” BBOA board member Eddie Harp of Oklahoma said in announcing the dates, May 19-21. He lobbied for Bluetick Days to move to Batesville after being impressed with the Civic Center facilities–and the coon hunting–when he came for the Winter Classic. His Bluetick male, Crockett, was the double cast high point winner in January.

Sharing Harp’s enthusiasm for bringing Bluetick Days to Batesville is local breeder and coon hunter Rubert Morgan. He has participated in the event in the past and expects “at least 500 dogs” in Batesville next May.

The first night of hunting will be limited to Blueticks, but the next two will be open to other coonhound breeds, Morgan said.

In addition to three nights of coon hunts, there will be bench shows and special events.

“I’m looking for a record-breaking event,” Eddie Harp said.

“It’s a central location and the best facility,” he said.

And there’s the southern hospitality.

“I love the people,” he said. “I didn’t go anywhere I didn’t have a good time.”