The new year brings with it new opportunities for hunting in Pennsylvania. The late small game season is now open for Quail, Pheasant, Squirrel, and Cottontail Rabbit until Feb. 28th. Harvesting a big buck or doe is, of course, exciting but hearing a pack of Beagles on a rabbit is music to a Beagler’s ears. Even if those ‘wascally wabbits’ give you the slip. Just being in the field and hearing the dogs work is reward enough. I always feel a little guilty when I head to my deer stand and my 8-year-old Beagle Trigger, seeing my hunting clothes and gun, howls with lament at being left behind. Eager and ready to go at a moment’s notice, you couldn’t want for a better hunting companion.
Beagles can be traced back to 16th century England where they were used for hunting rabbits and other small prey. The breed is considered one of the most popular breeds and became recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885. Did you know that the United States Dept. of Agriculture even uses them for detecting contraband food items in luggage? It shouldn’t come as a surprise that even if a Beagle can’t find a rabbit, they can always find their feed dish! President Lyndon B. Johnson even had beagles while he was in the white house. Two of the better-known AKC registered Beagles Johnson owned were “Him” and “Her.” The Beagle is a breed with a storied history and steeped in hunting tradition. Today that tradition is continued through the efforts of clubs like the Lycoming County Beagle Club.
The Lycoming County Beagle Club features an annual Rabbit Hunt where teams of hunters can compete for the heaviest rabbit and cash prizes. Participants can share stories and enjoy some delicious food served by club volunteers. This year’s Rabbit Hunt will be held on Jan. 22nd, 2022. Hunters can hunt at their favorite spot (not on club grounds) and then submit their rabbit for weigh-in at the Club between 4 and 6 p.m. Registration is $40 per team. Teams can consist of up to 3 with no limit on the number of registered Youth Hunters (16 years of age and under). There is a one rabbit limit per adult team with a one rabbit limit per registered Youth Hunter.
Established in 1952, the Club is a non-profit organization in North Central PA that promotes the sport of beagling and is a member of the IBGA (Iroquois Beagle Gundog Association), PBGF (Pennsylvania Beagle Gundog Federation), and NEBGF (Northeast Beagle Gundog Federation). Several events are offered throughout the year for beaglers and the community, like licensed trials, the Rabbit Hunt, and Rabies Clinics.
Club Members can enjoy access to four separate fenced-in running grounds spanning 142 acres with an abundant supply of rabbits. The Club also provides access to shower and restroom facilities for its members. The Lycoming Co. Beagle Club is accepting new members and invites you to apply. If you are interested in joining and have an AKC registered Beagle, complete a membership application which can be found at https://lcbeagleclub.weebly.com/join.html. Review the LCBC By-Laws and Running Rules. Attend one of our monthly membership meetings on the first Tues. of every month at 7 p.m. Submit your application to the Screening Committee. Acceptance of your application is voted on by general membership during the Club’s monthly meeting. Submit your payment of initiation fee and prorated dues at the end of the meeting. If you have any questions about the application process, you can contact the club secretary at lcbeagleclub@gmail.com.
