An Early Morning

Far Fields, available

Just after 8:00 A.M. a most beautiful sound rises on the air. It’s a new season; the hounds have hit! Their voices lift gloriously above the trees with the horn an underlying accompaniment. Such a joy to finally hear this song again! My horse’s ears perk forward listening to the pack’s progress. Crows complain heartily along the treetops while the hounds rustle deep on the line, picking their way. On the dirt road, easy work, my horse is content to stand while we listen.

An Opening Day

Mt. Victoria Coverts, available

Although it was brisk, the wind wasn’t strong enough to muffle the Huntsman’s voice, which carried easily. Eventually I heard that soft surf sound hounds make working through underbrush. Several minutes later one hound opened. Then another honored the first and soon all joined! At the old rail trail the first hound came flying from the covert. The Huntsman and the Field galloped out of the woods in time to see the hounds work the pines before slipping right towards the coverts between here and town. They lost the line along a dirt roadway but not before giving the field its first gallop of the day and the folks in the vehicles a chance to see them work.

A Cool Morning

Off Jutland, available

Hounds went into the small swamp and almost immediately we heard them speak; the music rising above the treetops as they tracked the scent through the swamp. A Halloa! followed from the far side. A whip viewed the gray coyote our hounds had pushed out. Away we went, along the wood line and over the next field, listening to the hounds, finally to check but not for long.

Winter hunting

Wintry Return, SOLD

It had been cold when we had started some three hours earlier but now, topping the rise, a winter front truly set in! The wind that had been torturing us all day brought out the heavy artillery, a hard driving sleety snow that we had to face directly. As snow collected on our coats, our helmets, there was no question about being time to go in! One member remarked that a glass of port or hot buttered rum was the remedy needed for the cold. Such was our luck that both waited for us!