Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials is a yearly hog-dog baying and catching event held in the third weekend of March in Winnfield, Winn Parish, Louisiana at the Winn Parish Fair Grounds involving big boars and for the most part, Catahoula Leopard Dogs and Blackmouth Cur.
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Begun in 1994, the event was named for three-time Louisiana governor "Uncle" Earl Long, an avid stockman and boar hunter who was born in Winnfield in 1895.[1]
In 2010 an argument between 2 of the men running it caused a law suit and the event was canceled for that year.
In 2011 a new corporation was formed to take over the event and a new board was created to run it. And bayed solid was selected to promote the event.
In this particular event, dogs are judged on their containment and control of the boar and their style of baying. The better "hog dogs" bay directly at the boar's face to gain control of the boar. The sharpest voices are considered best. Two dogs compete and the one with the sharper or more shrill voice will be judged as having the better bay. If a boar runs from the dogs, they may nip the boar to make him stop. The dog has 10 seconds to stop and contain the boar and begin baying again. A significant number of points can be lost by the dog if the boar is not contained within 10 seconds.
Louisiana bans hog-catching but permits this event after the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worked on the law that exempted Uncle Earl's.[1]
People attend the event from as far away as Canada, England, and California.[2]
Dogs are outfitted with Kevlar vests, chest armor, and extra-wide collars to protect them from any major injuries.