Tree Talkin' Time

In this week's episode I am joined by Stuart Oller. For Stuart, hounds have been a part of life for more than seven decades. He started hunting with hounds at just four years old, following a family tradition that included his uncle, father, brothers and cousin. Growing up in Northern California, Stuart has spent a lifetime learning what good hounds can do and chasing a wide variety of game across some rugged country.
Over the years, Stuart has hunted just about everything that can be legally pursued with a hound, including coon, fox, bobcat, mountain lion and bear. While fox hunting is what he primarily does today, bear hunting has always held a special place in his heart.
Stuart also has a long history with a particular type of hound. Since his teenage years, he has maintained his own line of Trigg and Treeing Walker crosses, developing dogs that have proven themselves over generations of hunting. We talk about what went into building that line, the qualities Stuart has selected for over the years and why maintaining a family of proven dogs has been so important to him.
We also get into one of the biggest frustrations facing Stuart and many ranchers in Northern California today—the introduction and expansion of wolves in the area. Stuart shares his perspective on how wolves have affected the country he hunts and the challenges they have created for local ranchers.
This is a conversation with a true old-school houndsman who has spent almost 70 years behind a dog. From following his family into the woods as a young boy to hunting multiple species across Northern California, Stuart Oller has seen tremendous changes in the hound world—and he has plenty of stories and experience to share along the way.
 
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In this episode, Dave Pelzer takes us back to the early days of his coonhunting career and what hunting looked like when a dog didn't have to carry a fancy pedigree to earn its keep.Dave's coonhunting story began in the spring of 1956 with a $3 coonhound and a lifetime of hunting ahead of him. Nearly seven decades later, Dave has seen just about every side of the sport—from the days of hide hunters and mixed-breed hounds to today's highly specialized dogs and modern electronic tracking systems.
We talk about the hide-hunting era and the dogs that made it possible, including mixed-up hounds that might have included bird dog crosses or just about anything else that could put a raccoon in a tree. For Dave, those dogs were judged by what they could do in the woods, not simply by what was written on paper.
Over the years, Dave has owned nearly every breed of coonhound, with one exception—he has never owned a Plott. But one breed has continued to pull him back. Dave owned Redbones early in his hunting career and returned to them in the mid-1980s. He has remained with the breed ever since.
Dave's connection to the Redbone breed extends beyond the dogs in his kennel. He currently writes the Redbone column in Full Cry Magazine for the American Redbone Coonhound Association, helping preserve the stories, people and traditions of a breed with a long history in the sport.
This is a conversation about much more than dogs. It's a look back at how coonhunting has changed, what has stayed the same, and what can be learned from someone who has been turning loose hounds for nearly 70 years.
 
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Today's episode proves that sometimes all it takes is one lucky break to ignite a lifelong passion. Nate Hinkson never planned on becoming a coonhunter. After hunting just twice, he won a Plott Hound puppy in a raffle—and that unexpected moment changed everything.
In just a short time, Nate has immersed himself in the hound world, traveling across numerous states to compete, expanding his kennel with two more Plott Hounds, and earning the opportunity to handle dogs for respected Plott breeder Bill Shininger. His rapid rise is a testament to hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn from every cast.
Beyond the competition hunts, Nate's background as a professional dog trainer brings a unique perspective to the sport. We dive deep into training philosophy, discussing how solid fundamentals, consistency, and understanding canine behavior translate from everyday dog training to developing successful coonhounds. Whether you're starting a young pup, fine-tuning a competition dog, or simply looking to become a better handler, Nate shares practical insights that apply well beyond the woods.
From an accidental introduction to becoming an up-and-coming competitor, this episode is packed with stories, lessons learned, and valuable training advice for houndsmen of every experience level.
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In this weeks episode I am joined by my good firends Zack and Brenna Southall of Goldmine Black and Tans.  What starts as a love for one breed can turn into a lifelong passion, and that's exactly what happened for Zack Southall.
Zack shares how his passion for Black and Tans began while attending guide school just over a decade ago. What started with an appreciation for the breed has grown into a serious commitment over the last five years, with Goldmine Black and Tans becoming a familiar name on both the bench show and nite hunt circuit.
We dive into the major investments they've made over the past year, from upgrading their kennel facilities to strengthening the quality of the dogs they're campaigning. But for Zack and Brenna, success isn't measured solely by wins or trophies. They believe the greatest reward in the sport is the friendships and relationships they've built along the way.
Whether you're a Black and Tan enthusiast, a competition hunter, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind successful kennels, you'll appreciate Zack and Brenna's dedication to the breed and the people who make this sport special.
Follow Goldmine Black and Tans and keep an eye out for them at the next bench show or nite hunt—you'll likely find them making new friends as quickly as they're collecting wins.
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Another great episode from the vault. Jimmy Tipton has lived his whole life in the Smoky Mountains and has been following dogs since he was old enough to walk. He has followed many different hounds but he has found Stephens Curs to be his breed of choice. He has had a lot of luck pursuing bears and coons in the rough mountains around his home. 
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/1420083161566245 
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