Don Lerch was born and raised in Schuyler County, Illinois. He began coon hunting as a young boy and continued until he was no longer able to go. As a young boy, coon hunting was a necessity for meals, as there were nine other siblings, and the hides were as important because they would provide money for cloths, shoes, groceries or whatever might be needed for the family. Don and his wife Char retired in 2005 to spend more time together. He lost her in 2006 shortly after retirement. Although she was not a coon hunter, she was a rock of support throughout their marriage. The have two children and seven grandchildren. Don published his first book in 2012 and the response was so great for another one, be began gathering stories and went to work again. These stories generate from six different counties, Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, McDonough and Schuyler and span from the 1930's till present day. You will read about heartbreaking losses, mule riding, trying to cross the river without a plug in the boat, forgetting the gun, getting lost and some hunts you wish you had been along for the ride. The thrill of the hunt is priceless. Although Don is no longer able to hunt, the "fever" is still there, and as long as their are coon hunters, there will be stories, and he will listen.

As time passes things do change. When I was a child coon hunting and selling furs was a must for many famlies to survive. Some famlies lived on wild game through the winter for survival for their famlies. You will read all about this in the stories that I have collected from avid coon hunters.

I have lived in Schuyler County all my life, I have had a lot of things happen in my sixty-nine years. I have been run off the road by other drivers, also did things that people go to jail for today. I also coon hunted from the time I was able to. I been lost many a night, ran out of gas on the river with other hunters, but it never stopped us from going again the next night. When buying furs some people did not know one amimal from another, as you will read in on of my friends story, who was also a fur buyer. If you have hunted at all you will enjoy this book and will even bring some of your own memories alive.

Don Lerch was born and raised in Schuyler County, Illinois. He began coon hunting as a young boy and continued until he was no longer able to go. As a young boy, coon hunting was a necessity for meals, as there were nine other siblings, and the hides were as important because they would provide money for cloths, shoes, groceries or whatever might be needed for the family. Don and his wife Char retired in 2005 to spend more time together. He lost her in 2006 shortly after retirement. Although she was not a coon hunter, she was a rock of support throughout their marriage. The have two children and seven grandchildren. Don published his first book in 2012 and the response was so great for another one, be began gathering stories and went to work again. These stories generate from six different counties, Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, McDonough and Schuyler and span from the 1930's till present day. You will read about heartbreaking losses, mule riding, trying to cross the river without a plug in the boat, forgetting the gun, getting lost and some hunts you wish you had been along for the ride. The thrill of the hunt is priceless. Although Don is no longer able to hunt, the "fever" is still there, and as long as their are coon hunters, there will be stories, and he will listen.

As time passes things do change. When I was a child coon hunting and selling furs was a must for many famlies to survive. Some famlies lived on wild game through the winter for survival for their famlies. You will read all about this in the stories that I have collected from avid coon hunters.

I have lived in Schuyler County all my life, I have had a lot of things happen in my sixty-nine years. I have been run off the road by other drivers, also did things that people go to jail for today. I also coon hunted from the time I was able to. I been lost many a night, ran out of gas on the river with other hunters, but it never stopped us from going again the next night. When buying furs some people did not know one amimal from another, as you will read in on of my friends story, who was also a fur buyer. If you have hunted at all you will enjoy this book and will even bring some of your own memories alive.