In this episode, recorded live at the 2019 edition of the UKC Autumn Oaks coonhound extravaganza in Richmond, Indiana, Chris and Steve present an inside look at the most popular and best-attended coonhound event in the Midwest.

Staged at the mammoth Wayne County Fairgrounds each year on Labor Day weekend, Autumn Oaks has been drawing coonhound enthusiasts by the thousands since its inception in 1960, fifty-nine years ago.. A wide array of attractions including a 700-dog Nite Hunt, the world’s largest coonhound bench show and a mammoth gear-oriented trade show offer non-stop activities for coonhound enthusiasts of every persuasion.

With crowds of hunters filing by the Houndsman XP booth, Steve reflects on his memories as manager of Autumn Oaks in the 1980s and 1990s while Chris recalls his involvement with the event from the standpoint of an Indiana conservation officer, a position he enjoyed for twenty-eight years.

The hosts track the event from its inception in Greencastle, Indiana through its travels to Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina and Ohio before the Homecoming to Indiana event brought “Oaks” home to stay in 1985. Many aspects of the event are explored in this interesting episode.

Listeners having attended Autumn Oaks will reacquaint themselves with an old friend. Newcomers and those that have never been to Autumn Oaks will appreciate a first-hand view of what has become a must-do event each year for an ever-growing segment of the North American hound community.