Louisiana State Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials

Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials

Parish of Winn, city of Winnfield, Louisiana

Adopted in 2003

Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials are named in honor of Earl K. Long and were inaugurated in 1995, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. "Uncle" Earl was the most colorful and well-liked governor Louisiana has ever elected.

Louisiana State Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials:
Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials

In 1995, in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration of Earl Kemp Long, the "Uncle Earl's" Hog Dog trials became an annual event in Winnfield. The annual "Uncle Earl's" Hog Dog Trials are held the fourth full weekend of March. The heritage of hog hunting is a traditional sport in Winn Parish and a lot of times it wasn't done for the fun of it. It meant meat on the table and often times still does. Families in Winn Parish have been hunting hogs on the same land for generations. Earl Long was an avid hog hunter and Winnfield has kept this legacy alive. The Hog Dog Trials are the world's largest and have been coined as the "Super Bowl" of hog dog baying. This sport is part of the heritage in Louisiana.

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 in a pattern that alerts the hunter, retains control of the boar with his demeanor and herding ability. If a boar runs from the dogs, they may nip the boar to make him stop, however "catching" the stock is prohibited.

Louisiana bans hog-catching but permits bay dog or herding events after the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worked on the law that exempted Uncle Earl's, and other baying and herding events.

People attend Uncle Earl's from as far away as Canada, England, and California.

In 2012, a Campfire Cookoff was added with Celebrity Judges including the Mayor of Winnfield, and television hunting show celebrities David Peavey & Kelly Lee from Camo Life TV.

Louisiana Law

The law designating the "Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials" held annually in the parish of Winn, city of Winnfield, as the official Louisiana state "Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials" is found in the Louisiana Statutes, Title 49, Section RS 49:170.10

TITLE 49 - State administration
RS 49:170.10 - Official state "Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials"

Universal Citation: LA Rev Stat § 49:170.10

§170.10.  Official state "Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials"
A.  The official state "Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials" shall be the "Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials" held annually in the parish of Winn, city of Winnfield, Louisiana.
B.  The fourth weekend in March of every year shall be "Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials Weekend" in the state.
Acts 2003, No. 808, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.