we as coonhunters over the years tease and rag each other about the dogs we hunt. but here all that is put aside to let them go one last time...never been to the cemetary but hope to make it one day...awesome site that keeps them in our hearts

I'm Randy Bozeman. My grandfather was J.T. Bozeman, and he was a close friend and hunting partner of Key Underwood.

Granddaddy wrote the first published story about Coon Dog Graveyard;it appeared in a 1947 issue of Koppers Magazine.

I remember helping Key place flowers on the graves in preparation for the Labor Day picnics.

There were quite a few nights when I was allowed to hunt with Granddaddy and Key; I was always the coldest one in the group. I loved listening to their stories and the way they "ribbed" each other.

When I killed my first coon, Key came to see it; he definitely helped make the event even more memorable.

Although I don't live in the area anymore, I brought my oldest daughter for a visit a couple of years ago.

I’m very glad to see that efforts are being made to bring the stories of Coon Dog Graveyard to new generations of hunters and all those interested in the history of our region.

If I can help in any way, please let me know.

Regards,

Randy Bozeman, coon hunter at heart

this is in my opinion is extremely meaningful to the hounds and the men, women, and children who hunt and spend thier lives with them. Through the swamps,river banks,vallies,and heavy timbered moutain ridges,and low brushy creek beds long live the coonhound.

AS A YOUNG BOY OF 15,1955 era, I LIVED ON FRANKFORT RD,Tuscumbia,al THE OLD WAGNON PLACE.
i RECALL MANY A NIGHT HUNTING COONS ON FRANKFORT MT. WITH NOEL WAGNON and his favorite coon dog "nig"and many others that joined the hunt.
also every July 4th there would be an old fashioned "coon on the log", with serious money passed around. HAHAHA.
what some enjoyable memories.

I love to coon hunt, but i have never been to the cemetary. My Papaw, Leon Burleson, buried a dog there once though, her name was 'pr' Birleson's Singing Ginger. He won the first u.k.c world qualifying hunt they ever had in alabama with her, it was in milport. he told me he put the trophy she won up as her head stone,but it fell apart and now nobody can find her grave any more though. Maybe someday i will be able to visit the cemetary.

We made our second visit to the cemetery this fall. The first time we stopped must have been in the late 80s with our two boys, who still talk about it.

Here's an account that I posted to my blog:

http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/2008/12/18/coon-dog-graveyard-alabama/

I hope it's OK that I lifted some background info from your site.

This morning, December, 9,2008, my wife handed me this Magazine which we get from ALFA monthly. I had never heard of your Coon Dog Cemetery unitl today. What a pleasure it is to read about your Friends. When I was a small boy in the backwoods of South Alabama, I had a dog that we named Tracy. My brothers and I had so much fun Coon hunting with that dog! I am 73 now and still think about old Tracy every day of my life. I know how you feel about your companions.
Thank you for the great memories.
RLD

we need one of these in oklahoma.

my father william traylor was a natural born coon hunter and owned full blooded coon hounds and hunted full time in sango community in clarksville tennesee

Was driving the Natchez Trace on a roadtrip vacation and stumbled upon the graveyard. I am a proud parent to a lovely coonhound/bloodhound mix who has blessed my family.

Was in Red Bay, AL for Tiffin motorhome work. Heard about the Coon Dog Cemetery and had to go by to see it.
I remember as a kid, relatives having Coon Dogs and hearing the baying in the woods. Wonderful sound.
Good that coon hunting tradition is alive and hope it can survive for many years to come.
The cemetery is a very peaceful place. Good to know it is there for these special dogs.

Love the site and knowing there is a
cemetery where only coonhounds are allowed
They are truly the best dogs around. I myself have a Walker

I was in Tuscaloosa for work this week and drove two hours out of my way to visit the graves of some of theses past hounds(Im a b&t man). It was worth it. Any true houndsman would find it a great tribuet to the hounds who do so much for the sport we love.

Northern Rebel Black and Tans
Home of
ChNitech PR Northern Rebel Hillbilly
NitechGrch PR Midnite Hook Up

This site is awesome! Key Underwood was my great uncle, although I never met him. My grandaddy was Ernie Underwood, he died when I was three. I would love to hear from anyone who knew my uncle or my grandaddy or hunted with them in freedom hills. I'll be out later this year to pay a visit to old Troop and the rest!

I`m a 29 year old father of 2 children an avid coonhunter. My little girl is 4 my boy is 2.I remeber my dad packing me on his back through the dark filled woods for miles sometimes,Now i know the dedication he put into coonhunting and keeping me off the streets and off drugs. I hope I can continue the tradition. Great site great respect for the legend hounds of coonhunting

i would like to start by saying you have a cool site i didnt know about the graveyard till tonight. i just got back into the sport of coonhunting with my ten year old son we have to young dogs that to be honest doesnt hunt well but them ol dog has really brought us close and i think thats what its all about father and son spending time together being best friends to ol dogs that put a smile on his face so lets keep the lights burning for years to come

It is great that there is a place like this where someone can lay to rest their beloved hound.

Don

http://finleyriverchief.forumotion.net

God Bless them all, even the Blueticks.
I've never visited the site, and yet, I Have stood in the woods waiting for a strike. I've heard the excitement in their voices on the track. I've followed 'em to many a vine covered tree. I've seen dogs 10 feet up in a tree, with no idea how they got there. I knocked 'em out and seen a big boar coon come down a tree and flat out whup 2 dogs and 4 boys!
For the rest of my life, till the day I die, I'll remember my coon hunting days... or rather, nights... with a smile on my face.
Thank you Sis. Thank you Reba. Thank you Steve.

We were on our trip to Tenn and had to stop by to see what the Coon Dog Graveyard was and much to our surprise it was really a treat. We enjoyed looking over the graves at the age of most of them.

What a tribute to man's best friend.

What a wonderful tribute to man's best friend! We wanted to pay our respects to Troop,all of those great coon dogs, and their owners who had a passion for hunting and a love for each other. Our chocolate standard poodles come from a line of hunting dogs and field trial champion poodles. Freddie and Bocce insisted on going to sniff and honor those who have gone before them.
Thank you for the fabulous website and the lovely cemetery in the middle of some great hunting country. Please note in your directions, though, that when you are traveling west on Highway 72, you will go 5+ miles from Tuscumbia, AL before you reach Highway 247 and turn left. Also, it might help to know that once you turn right toward the cemetary, if is another 5 miles before you actually reach the cemetery.