Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials, an unusual event that has annually brought hundreds of folks (and dogs) from across the country to Winn since 1994, is less than two weeks away from filling the fairgrounds with action.

The 30th annual “Uncle Earl’s” is set to run from Monday, March 17, through Sunday, March 23. The types of competition will vary from day to day, with Puppy Bay and Old & Young on Monday.  Tuesday will be more continuation of Old & Young while Wednesday and Thursday will be One Dog competition. Two Dog competition will also begin on Thursday and continue Friday.  The Two Dog finals will be Saturday.  Sunday will feature Youth Bay and Best of the Best.

Entry fee to watch a day’s action is $10.

This annual Hog-Baying event is traditionally held the third week of March at the Winn Parish Fairgrounds where visitors converge to camp in tents and trailers for the duration.  The trials were named for Winn native Earl K. “Uncle Earl” Long who liked to hog hunt.  He served three times as Louisiana’s governor and was elected to Congress but died before taking office.

So what are the judges looking for as the dogs face off the hogs in the rodeo arena?  Rules may clarify:

1. The dog must never lose eye contact with the hog. For example, looking away or looping out bring a deduction each time.  If the hog causes the dog to lose eye contact, it will not be deducted. 

2. The dog is expected to contain (hold the hog at bay) the entire run. For example if the hog is moving, the dog must stop it and once the hog is stopped the dog must be within 5 feet of the hog. Moving includes all movements, running or walking, in any direction. 

3. The dog cannot be over aggressive. Meaning if the hog is stationary the dog should not touch it no matter the location of the hog in relation to the fence.

4. The dog is expected to bark the entire time. In the event of the dog not barking longer than 5 seconds it will be docked. This will include the first 5 seconds of the bay. (Dog does not have to bark while stopping the hog). 

5. If a dog holds the hog for 5 seconds after the hog stops, it will be deemed a “catch” and the dog will be disqualified. If the count starts and the hog starts running again, the count will not stop until the dog lets go or it is disqualified. 

6. There will only be one handler per dog. Whoever is talking to the dog at the beginning is the only one allowed to talk the entire run (one for each dog). 

7. Handler may not come in contact with their dog once it’s been released.  If a handler breaks this rule, they will be disqualified on that run