It took awhile for word to get around, but it seems plenty of folks who enjoy hunting deer with hounds ("dog hunters" in the colloquial) were none too pleased with my views on running deer with hounds.

Good for them. They are as passionate about their sport as any group in the outdoors, and I'm glad so many took the time to respond.

To recall, on Jan. 15 I wrote a column with the headline "Our state needs changes." One of the subjects (along with hunting on Sundays, hunting with crossbows and catch-and-release fishing) was the practice of running deer with hounds. I wrote, "If you can guarantee me your dogs will stay on your land and that they are properly vaccinated, that you will hunt with a shotgun and that you won't shoot from public roadways, knock yourself out. Sadly, I've seen too many examples to the contrary."

After an initial flurry of e-mails mostly in agreement, scores of houndsmen (and several houndswomen) from four states chimed in to give their views in no uncertain terms. As many of those views as possible were published in these pages on the past two Tuesdays. That the dog hunters were slow getting around to responding after the initial column and that they often attributed other readers' comments to the column was disappointing, but some made good points, many of which may be unknown to those outside that fraternity.

For one, most were polite and lucid in their defense of their sport. Sure, there were some unprintable responses, but for the most part correspondents gave compelling reasons why they love their sport. Not only deer hunters, but fox hunters as well.

For many, it was the thrill of the chase and music the hounds bring to the outdoors during the hunt. Several noted that while many nonparticipants think the hounds are nipping at the heels (or hooves) of terrified deer, in reality the dogs usually are following scent hundreds of yards behind the deer. Killing a deer is not the point to many; working the dogs is, much like an upland hunter watching a pointer or setter working a field. Barry Scott of Apex stated, "The excitement and sounds that a pack of Walkers in full cry produce is a wonderful experience that all of you transplants should try to have at least once before your die."

Many took time to chronicle the care they give their hounds, including one reader who even kept his hounds in his house. Houndsman Allan Bishop of Glen Allen, Va. wrote, "All 21 of my hounds have the shots required, and each month they are given shots to protect them against worms, parasites, etc. They are checked annually by my vet, and otherwise as frequently as needed. I have a "pet" basset hound at home, and each of my hounds is treated equally as well as this house pet."

Many said they use electronic tracking devices to find wayward dogs, which, I'm certain, is much appreciated by people who otherwise would find those dogs straying into their yards or perhaps killed along a highway. "I have $3,000 tracking system that I use, and I will not turn a hound out without a tracking collar on. Ninety-five percent of the hunters that I know are the same as I am," state Marc Pickard of Trenton.

The tradition of running hounds in the South also was a common theme, but I've already stated my position on "tradition."

The sense of camaraderie and the satisfaction of a well-planned hunt also was a common theme, especially among those in rural communities. The fact that dog drives are often family affairs -- extended family affairs -- was brought up numerous times.

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