Write about coonhounds and win a bundle of prizes!

It’s simple: you have stories about your coonhounds, and we want to hear them! Just write a 250- or 500-word essay and send it in to the AKC to be judged by our panel of coonhound fanciers. If your essay is selected as a winner, you’ll win the following prizes:

• Bright Eyes “Youth Special” 6-volt hunting light from Bright Eyes Lights
• $100 gift certificate to Bright Eyes Dog Depot
• Autographed copy of Dynamics of Coonhound Training by renowned dog writer Vickie Lamb
• One-year subscription to America’s favorite coonhound magazine, American Cooner.
• State-of-the-art Zepp’s Lifetime Coon Squaller from Mark Zepp

The contest is divided into two categories:

• 12 years old and younger
• Essay length: 250 words
• Topic: I have the best coon dog because…
• 13 to 17 years old
• Essay length: 500 words
• Topic: My most memorable moment with my coonhound was…

One winner and one runner-up will be selected from each category. Winners and runners-up will have their story published in American Cooner magazine and on the AKC Coonhound Youth Program web site.

Eligibility:

• All youth may participate in the contest, but you must get your AKC Juniors number first. You can get your number for FREE by calling 919-816-3909, or applying online.
• All essays must be written entirely by the youth who enters. Essays determined to be prepared otherwise will not be eligible.

Our expert panel of judges:

• Penny Caudill: award-winning public school teacher and coonhound handler from Kentucky
• Amy Kovak-Thomas: widely-read columnist for American Cooner and Full Cry magazines
• Tammy White: Production Manager for C/H Publishing, publishers of four hound magazines, including American Cooner, Full Cry, The Rabbit Hunter, and Hunter’s Horn
• H.L. Meyer: Georgia police officer and breeder/owner/handler of world-class Black and Tan coonhounds
• Mike Bryant: president of High Oaks Coon club and organizer of highly successful youth events, including an annual benefit for St. Jude in Newport, Tennessee

Entry information:
Entries are judged and winners are selected twice per year. Deadlines for the contest are as follows:

• February 1
• July 1

Mail your completed entries with your name, age, address, and phone number to:

American Kennel Club
Coonhound Events – Essay Contest
5580 Centerview Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27606