245. Fighting For Hounds

In this week's episode I am joined by Chris Watson, founder of the Arizona Working Dog Alliance (AWDA) and creator of the Anecdote of the Houndsman YouTube channel. Chris shares how he got started with hounds in Arizona, the old-school mentors and bloodlines that shaped his pack, and the standout dogs that defined different eras of his hunting. From there, the conversation shifts to media, advocacy, and politics: how Chris went from YouTube and live streams to founding AWDA when no one else would step up, what it's like dealing with legislators and game commissions, and why hunters must become the "squeaky wheel" to protect hound hunting. Chris lays out a blueprint for positive education, smarter use of social media, taking non-hunters and kids to the woods, and holding fellow houndsmen to higher standards in dog care and ethics. They also highlight the Arizona Hound Hunters Rendezvous—what it is, who shows up from across the country, and how it's becoming a hub for Western houndsmen, storytelling, and collaboration. https://azwda.com Sponsors: https://conkeysoutdoors.com  Promo Code TREETALKINTIME5 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1420083161566245  https://animalhousingsolutions.com https://fullcrymag.com Merch: https://treetalkin.com/collections  Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/@TreeTalkinMedia  https://www.patreon.com/treetalkintime https://www.instagram.com/treetalkinmedia https://www.facebook.com/treetalkinmedia