The first of nine youth raccoon hunts was held at Black Creek Coonhunters Club in Darlington October 15, 2016.
In this series of nine different youth hunts held at different locations throughout the state, youth hunters are eligible to compete in a wild raccoon hunt sponsored by the S.C. Coonhunters Association with a final hunt off to be held at the Webb Wildlife Facility in the Low Country of S.C. The winner receives a scholarship to further their education.
This is a no kill field trial where the dogs tree their quarry and the game is not harmed; youth hunters are mentored in a positive manner.
The youth are drawn into casts with up to four dogs per cast to compete for one hour.  
Jason Norton, grandson of Ray Coleman, Jr., of the Freestates community won 1st place at the season opener by handling Reedy Creek Stud, owned by James B. Grice of Bingham.   Jason loves to coon hunt and he has a natural talent as a handler to listen for the dog’s distinct bark which is very important to be able to tell a selected judge when his dog opens on track and is treed.  Jason won a 1st place trophy and new hunting light during this competition.