Hunting coyotes with greyhounds goes back generations. President Theodore Roosevelt did so on this land, about 70 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, in the early 1900s. It remains largely a regional pursuit that is part of the area’s lore, like the cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail. Ranchers and farmers have long viewed coyotes as pests because they kill livestock. Yet hunting coyotes with greyhounds — all members of the Canidae family — is banned in some states, including Washington and Colorado. But Hardzog, a 65-year-old lifelong Oklahoman who wears pressed Wrangler jeans and a rodeo belt buckle the size of a bread plate, called his favorite form of hunting “one of the cleanest sports out there.” Using greyhounds to hunt is natural, Hardzog said. “When you get the dogs running in a dead run after a coyote, now that’s a sport,” Hardzog said before spitting snuff into a tiny gold spittoon. “The coyote is just about the smartest wild animal alive because they always have an escape route. I respect them. They can outsmart you. But greyhounds are smart, too. I think they’re the neatest dog ever made.” Hardzog, who eschews seat belts and scoffs at “too many laws,” was 7 when he first hunted coyotes with his father. Now he has 40 greyhounds and greyhound mixes, some with scarred legs and faces, that he bred on his 318-acre ranch. Sometimes, they gnaw on stillborn calves and clean their teeth on the bones. He said he spent $600 on their monthly upkeep. They have names like Matthew, Luke, Venus and Little Bit. Some are part Irish wolfhound, others part Saluki. All have a strong prey drive and hunt by sight. Only a handful have failed as coyote hunters, Hardzog said...more
Monday, April 26, 2010
Coyote vs. Greyhound: The Battle Lines Are Drawn
Hunting coyotes with greyhounds goes back generations. President Theodore Roosevelt did so on this land, about 70 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, in the early 1900s. It remains largely a regional pursuit that is part of the area’s lore, like the cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail. Ranchers and farmers have long viewed coyotes as pests because they kill livestock. Yet hunting coyotes with greyhounds — all members of the Canidae family — is banned in some states, including Washington and Colorado. But Hardzog, a 65-year-old lifelong Oklahoman who wears pressed Wrangler jeans and a rodeo belt buckle the size of a bread plate, called his favorite form of hunting “one of the cleanest sports out there.” Using greyhounds to hunt is natural, Hardzog said. “When you get the dogs running in a dead run after a coyote, now that’s a sport,” Hardzog said before spitting snuff into a tiny gold spittoon. “The coyote is just about the smartest wild animal alive because they always have an escape route. I respect them. They can outsmart you. But greyhounds are smart, too. I think they’re the neatest dog ever made.” Hardzog, who eschews seat belts and scoffs at “too many laws,” was 7 when he first hunted coyotes with his father. Now he has 40 greyhounds and greyhound mixes, some with scarred legs and faces, that he bred on his 318-acre ranch. Sometimes, they gnaw on stillborn calves and clean their teeth on the bones. He said he spent $600 on their monthly upkeep. They have names like Matthew, Luke, Venus and Little Bit. Some are part Irish wolfhound, others part Saluki. All have a strong prey drive and hunt by sight. Only a handful have failed as coyote hunters, Hardzog said...more
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3 comments:
According to Mr. Hardzog, “Probably 99.9 percent of the people that’s going to protest it never been, don’t have an idea of what a coyote is or what a greyhound is….” “To me, they don’t even have a right to draw an opinion.” I grew up with racing greyhound dogs and lived on a ranch. I’ve been around greyhounds, coyotes, livestock and hardworking, decent ranchers and sportsmen in the West.
Mr. Hardzog is a poor example of a sportsman and a rancher. What is sporting about sitting back in your pickup and watching a kill by a pack of dogs? There is no doubt this canine to canine hunting is a blood sport of the worst kind. And, what about the science: it is a known fact that killing coyotes just increases their populations. Additionally, what about the painful injuries and deaths of these magnificent greyhound dogs exploited in this way? It is ignorance together with this sadistic hunting practice that makes for horrific results for both animals.
Obviously, Mr. Hardzog doesn’t get it that ranching and city communities are interdependent and need each other. His arrogant attitude definitely would seem to do harm to the National Cattlemen’s Association’s public relation efforts! I’m disgusted enough to work toward making Mr. Hardzog’s canine blood sport a crime. He says "the good Lord is going to do all the judging.” That’s fine. First, a judge can consider his sins and send him to jail as a fitting judgment day.
BRAndrews
Maybe next time Mr. Hardzog can turn his dogs loose on BR Andrews and give him a good run.
Coyotes, uncontrolled in population, are the bane of all sheep farmers and ranchers. They eventually get through all defenses and take what they want. Since my sheep graze on private property and are my private property I will defend that no matter what Mr. Andrews thinks or says. If you want some coyotes Mr. Andrews take some home with you and feed your pets to them, they like pets also.
Good grief! Aren't we getting a little too pc?
Dogs are dogs. They like to hunt.
I take my greyhounds out to chase deer on a regular basis.
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