Acadiana Beagle Club

Acadiana Beagle Club, founded by Moose Francois was the first SPO Gundog Beagle Club that was organized in Louisiana. Moose had his vision through his association with Tom Dornin, (Little Ireland Beagles), Ted Roberts, Lake City Beagle Gundog Association and Cora Malone. This brought about the first meeting in the fall of 1975 and was attended by Beaglers from the Eunice and Church Point, La. area, inclucing one of its present members, Purvis Bertrand who has served as an officer and headed most of the commitees at one time or another. Under the direction of Moose Francois, founder and Acadiana's first President. Acadiana strived to become licensed to host AKC SPO Gundog Licensed trials. Unfortunately he passed on before he got to realize his dream.

Acadiana hosted the first Small Pack Option Gundog Field Trial for the American Kennel Club in 1981. The Small Pack Option rules were some additions and changes to the Small Pack rules which created a Gundog trial. These changes represented a lot of campaigning by the founders of the Deep South and United Gundog Federation to the American Kennel Club and the Beagle Advisory Committee and their acceptance was the greatest nod of approval and genuine recognition that the SPO Gundog movement could have been given. Acadiana's first SPO Gundog Licensed trial held on February 28 through March 1, 1981 was a dual milestone as it was also the first held by a club which was formed as a Gundog group and progressed through the Sanctioned levels to obtain the Licensed status of an SPO Club. This trial had a lot of enthusiasum and was well attended by beaglers from all parts of the country. The first running grounds used by the club belonged to Mr. Preston Moore of Oberlin, La.

In 1983 the club leased 200 acres of excellent rabbit habitat near Eunice, Louisiana. The club house was an old farm house. The running grounds consisted of heavy brush, piney woods, and hardwoods with several pipelines and several right of ways.

In order to make it more convenient for the club to hold it's field trials, two 120 acre tracts are presently leased just off Interstate 10, exit 72 south Egan, Louisiana. These are some of the finest running grounds in the country as there are an abundance of rabbits and the terrain is not difficult to walk through.

The field trial headquarters are in a nice shelter with a kitchen, restrooms and limited camper space. gasoline, groceries and nice camp ground with full hookups is available just across the Interstate from the running grounds. Motels are within 10 minutes in Crowley, Louisiana. There are also several nice restaurants nearby with excellent Cajun Cuisine, although it is doubtful that a better meal could be found elsewhere than what is served at the trial. Plenty off ground kennel space is also available at the Club House.

Acadiana hosts an all age licensed trial in October, and December, a derby trial in February, and several two-couple pack fun trials in the off season, and a TCP Licensed trial in December. These trials are always well attended by beaglers from near and far.

Presently, Acadiana maintains an active membership of 70 members. Acadiana belongs to the Deep South Gundog Federation and the Southern States Association which is one of the four associations that make up the Deep South. In the past 36 years, Acadiana has built a strong reputation and is well known throughout the country for it's facilities, food, members, running grounds, judges, and especially it's fine hounds.

Acadiana is proud to have finished 62+ field champions to date, which may be one of the few SPO clubs that have done so in the country. Congratulations to these fine hounds, their owners, breeders, judges, and all who consistantly strive improve the beagle breed and make this the fine sport that it is today.

Acadiana Beagle Club is also proud to announce two of its members have also been inducted into the SPO Hall of Fame!!!!

1998 Aaron Lyons

2008 Lonnie Richard