PKC’s new
owner moves
World Coon
Hunt to Illinois

By Rick Burres
Tribune-Courier Sports Reporter
Rburres@tribunecourier.com

AURORA–The Professional Kennel Club has decided to move the World Coon Hunt from Aurora to Salem, Ill.

The hunt, which is a week long event and includes the Super Stakes, World Youth Hunt and the World Championship Hunt, has been held in Aurora since the early 90s.

PKC’s new owner, Roger Dale Carnegie, said last winter’s ice storm ruined the hunting in the area.

The hunt is a huge boost to Aurora’s struggling economy each year.

Marshall County Judge Executive Mike Miller said the hunt brings thousands of people to the area each year.

“This will be a million dollar impact on our community,” Miller said.

“I am trying to determine if this is a one year thing, and I want to set up a meeting with Roger, the new owner, to see what we can do to have them back,” Miller said.

“The Breeders Showcase will still be held at the Hardin club in July and we are thankful for that.”

Miller said Carnegie was simply making a business decision. “Roger’s a nice fellow and he is doing what he thinks is best for the hunt,” Miller said. “I just want to make sure we are considered for future hunts.

“The people who come here really enjoy the area. Many of them bring their families because there is so much to do here,” Miller said.

Members of Hardin’s Twin Lakes Coon Club said hunting in the Aurora area has not suffered due to the ice storm.

Jimmy Russell, long-time member of the Twin Lakes club and champion coon hunter, said there may be financial reasons for PKC’s move.

“Its just my opinion, and they have denied it, but we know a lot of big money people in the organization are from Illinois and have wanted to move the hunt there for a while,” Russell said.

“I talked to Roger and he told me he would not make a decision on moving the hunt until after the Breeders Showcase in July.”

Said Russell: “The timing of the announcement caught us all by surprise.”