'Arctic Hounds vs Pen Marydel' Day 66 of the Hunting Season - January 22nd, 2011

Day 66 of the Hunting Season - January 22nd, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: around 12

Couples: 17 1/2 *Puppies Kiki
Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Fred VonC MFH, Priscilla Godsoe, Lindsay Jones, Hound Trucks - Karen & Gary Kennedy

Start: 11:00am
End: 1:45pm

And to think I thought all is time we were hunting with Pen-Marydels... when I called MFH Jimmy to see if we were hunting this morning, I was informed that we are now hunting the 'Arctic Short Hair' an almost distinct breed that was used centuries ago to hunt the Arctic Fox. Of course! Thats what we have... no other hunt group would venture out to hunt under these temperatures unless equip with these 'Arctic Short Hairs'.....



We bundled up and had a fun morning hunting. Today the real dedication showed from a few of our members who managed to shovel out of their drive ways, clear off their trucks and trailers and come out!



We were dressed in our Sunday best as you can see, but there were no complaints about the coooold temperatures. The hounds were more than happy to be out and enjoyed the romp around the Red Pump Meet.



The foxes were out, but the scent was not much good today. Hounds worked hard and took a few good runs. We were definitely happy to get out, looks like some bad weather ahead!

Keep posted on Facebook/Twitter/RHF Recorder



(please note: there is no such thing as an Arctic Short Hair)

Day 65 of the Hunting Season - January 17th, 2011

Day 65 of the Hunting Season - January 17th, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the 20's

Couples: 22 1/2 *Puppies Keno, Kirkwood, Kent, Kane, Kalev, Kiwi, Kiki, Kia,Kay

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Fred VonC MFH, Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Masters- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy



Start: 10:00am
End: 12:45am

Exciting day out and about and covering just about all of the Red Pump meet.

We started off heading towards the coop above Hog's Run. The hounds dropped down and across the creek heading up towards the Junk Yard, across through DeVines woods, and around towards the Bamboo Forrest. Hounds were on a few spotty lines but nothing great.

We crossed over towards the Stone Pile and Red Pump Road heading in the direction of the Deer Stand along Lee's Bridge Road. Hounds worked the little ravine down through towards the road and picked up a line by the Second Deer Stand. A fox was viewed out across the corn field in the direction of the Mouse House Farm, and a second fox was viewed heading towards the Amphitheater.

Soon 90% of the hounds were on the second viewed fox and they were off! The split pack ran the first fox to ground quickly. The main pack was all they way at the coop along Hog's Run and dropping towards Petro's Bank along the river. I moved the split pack to the line of the second fox knowing they would eventually catch up.

The fox was viewed crossing between a landowners house and their garage, and again from Freemont Road heading towards the Junk Yard. We moved the hounds away from the house to avoid getting too 'up close and personal' with the house dogs and our pack of 45 hounds! Ha-Ha.

The line was now a little harder to pick up but the hounds were able to take the line back across Hog's Run, and out into the big corn field at the meet. MFH Jimmy helped the hounds by moving them along and dropping towards the Red Pump Road. They picked up the line again and took it from the brier patch at the meet along the meet side of the bank along Red Pump and hit a miss.

It was a good day. Not too bad for getting around. You could gallop in some places and the horses feet didnt 'ball up' with snow. Looks like we are set to get some rough weather of freezing rain and snow which could hold up our hunting for a bit.

Keep posted on Facebook, Twitter, and the RHF Recorder to see what we are doing next!

Cheers!

Day 64 of the Hunting Season - January 15th, 2011

Day 64 of the Hunting Season - January 15th, 2011

Meet: Ankrum's Dog Box

Temps: in the 20's

Couples: 22 *Puppies Keno, Kirkwood, Kent, Kane, Kalev, Kiwi, Kiki, Kia,Kay

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Dr. Carl Mease, Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Masters- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo & Flora Erb

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:45am



Another fun snow day!

We had a really good day listening to the hounds. They made beautiful hound music that bounced off the walls along the Fishing Creek and the banks through Gibson's and Ankrum's.



Our Amish neighbors curiosity of 44 hounds and people in scarlet coats on horse back chasing foxes through the woods and across fields brought them to watch the hunt today. This particular family who's farm is right next the to Ankrum's meet, were celebrating with their family who lived all around the area. There were probably three or four families with little girls and boys who were just learning to speak english, and asked MFH Jimmy all sorts of questions about the hounds, the horses, our equipment, and the way we teach the hounds to hunt for a fox.

When Karen let the hounds out of the truck, the looks on the little kids faces where pretty much shock and disbelief. I dont think they could have imagined that all 44 hounds had names, and were all going to listen!

In this area MFH Jimmy is well know to the Amish because he talks to them, has been invited to weddings, plows driveways in the winter, drives some of the kids to work or school, and is ready to help them out at a moments notice. MFH Jimmy might be 'english' to them, but its very clear there is a respect that caries along way, and I would say they see him more as a good friend.

The Amish family watched as we went over the hill and towards the Old House. They would be back at the end of the hunt to hear all the stories of the day!

From the Old House the hounds took a line along the Palisades, and on the flat. They moved up through the banks between Gibson's and Ankrum's and back and forth and back and forth across logs, through fallen brush, into briers, and just about everywhere a fox would go in order to play with the hounds.

After a good run through the woods we all decided that we were not too cold to keep hunting and cross the Furniss Rd and hunt towards the Duck Pond. Not long after crossing the road the hounds hit line and crossed towards the Tree Farm. Since the Tree Farm wasnt in our plan for the day, we picked the hounds up and moved across towards Herr's Point. Hounds picked up a line heading back towards the Old House and the lost the line out pretty far in what was the soy bean field.

Since we had all the hounds and were near the meet, we called it a day. The little Amish kids had made a snowman and were sledding by the time we came back. They came running over to see if we caught the fox. Karen had to explain that wasnt what we were trying to do. They looked like they were trying to understand that concept. Im sure it gave them all something to talk about when they go to school on Monday. Fox chasing is pretty 'worldly' for the Amish but MFH Jimmy has their respect anyway. 'We got to see Mr. Jimmy's River Hills Foxhounds' I'm sure will be a topic around the tables and class room, and I'm sure there will be lots of drawings and colored pictures of their interpretation of the fox hunt as well. At least now they will know what colors to give the hounds and the horses!


Next Meet: Monday at Red Pump - 10:00am

Day 63 of the Hunting Season - January 14th, 2011

Day 63 of the Hunting Season - January 14th, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the teens

Couples: 22 1/2 *Puppies Keno, Kirkwood, Kent, Kane, Kalev, Kiwi, Kiki, Kia,Kay

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Fred VonC MFH, Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Masters- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:45pm

Snow day!



We had a lot of fun with the hounds and horses playing aroun and finding some fox tracks in the snow. No one saw a fox today, but the evidence was very clear that the foxes of Red Pump have been all over.

When the hounds moved up on the line they were able to take it strong and move along, but if they hit a miss or got pulled behind because of the puppies, the hounds had more of a struggle moving with.



Next Meet: Saturday at Ankrum's Dog Box - 10:00am

Day 62 of the Hunting Season - January 10th, 2011

Day 62 of the Hunting Season - January 10th, 2011

Meet: Wiles

Temps: in the 20's

Couples: 23 *Puppies Keno, Kirkwood, Kent, Kane, Kalev, Kiwi, Kiki, Kia,Kay

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Field Masters- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Leo and Flora Erb, and Karen Kennedy

Start: 9:45am
End: 11:45am

As everyone else bundles up and stays inside the River Hills Foxhounds keep their noses to the ground and keep chasing foxes.



I think there might be a common misconception with fox hunting which is that we go out and gallop and jump over hill and dale. Fact is there are many times I get back to the barn with barely a saddle mark on my horse. There are other times when I go through three horses in one hunt! You never really know what your going to get.

Hounds ran strong for a half hour or more in the woods. Since we know the 'usual' pattern of the foxes at Wiles we sat pretty much in the middle of the woods and just listened to the hounds at work and viewed the fox make his circles and loops.



There was one time when the hounds started to head away from us towards the cattle field, we saw them fly across the path above the log house, and then heard them, heard them, and then... nothing. MFH Jimmy told us to sit tight and he was right, fox came right back. He was able to give the hounds a bit of the slip when he ran out into a hay field and the wind blew the scent around. The hounds made a check but picked up the line again. Soon after they took the line deep into the briers and probably put the fox to ground. It was a bit too tough to find out on foot or horse so we moved on.

The hounds picked up another line when they moved past the ram in the direction of the meet. They took it towards the Produce Farm and Puseyville Road. Somewhere in there they hit a miss. Since we were practically back at the meet MFH Jimmy pulled them up and we headed in.



Good day :-)

Day 61 of the Hunting Season - January 5th, 2011

Day 61 of the Hunting Season - January 5th, 2011

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the 30's

Couples: 22 Couples *Puppies Keno, Kent, Kane, Kalev, Lirkwood, Kiwi, Kiki, Kia,Kay

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Dott Cochran, Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Masters- Duncan Patterson MFH, Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Leo and Flora Erb, and Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:09pm

We had an okay day. We didnt get a great run until we were near the end of the hunt.

The last run was started by Jim's barn, across the cow pasture under the power lines, into Peirson's woods and by the pond, dropped down into the woods towards Park Road and Jim's driveway.

They took the line into the park and towards the Show Ring and McPheirson Lake. From here they went up through the park woods, behind Jim's house, up the bank by the pond, and then put the fox to ground out in the cow pasture behind the horse field.

All of the hound were able to mark the hole, and the puppies were able to get a good smell of the fox!

Next Meet: Friday - Ankrum's Dog Box - 10:00am

Day 60 of the Hunting Season - January 3rd, 2011

Day 60 of the Hunting Season - January 3rd, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the high 20's

Couples: 22 1/2 Couples *Leo - Fireman, Fritz, Fulton, Duke, Gus, Baxter
*Puppies Keno,Kent, Kiwi, Kiki, Kia

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Fred VonC MFH, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Masters- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Leo and Flora Erb, and Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:23pm

I think its official. I think the foxes at Red Pump are staying up too late and partying all night because no one saw one today!

We started out towards the new trails above the pond, around towards DeVines. The hounds picked up a line on the junk yard side of Hogs Run and crossed over towards the coop heading towards the corn field. They took a bend towards the left and Hotel California where the fox went to ground.

MFH Jimmy then took the hounds towards the old Red Pump road and then crossed up towards the Tree Stand on the Holy View side. Hounds kept the lines slowly moving towards Lees Bridge Road through the ravine and around towards the Highland Cattle.

We were still trailing the fox as the hounds worked through the brier patch out below Holy View and took the line along the river towards the Mouse House. Hounds picked the line up stronger around the bank near the Mouse House and worked towards the point. Baxter worked over an old log along the point as Jessie and Journey, excited as ever, followed close behind him.

The 'J's, just under a year and half are really getting the hang of working a line with the older hounds, and opening up when they hit the line. I wouldnt be surprised if we saw them start striking a line soon and the other hounds honoring them.

The hounds were able to move fast on the line by the river and heading towards the Bridge Abutment. They slowly worked up Red Pump and brought the line up from the brier patch between the single and double coop woods. Once they came out to the field the scent was not as strong.

MFH Jimmy hunted the hounds on towards the old dump and then we head in towards the meet. It was not a bad day for hound work. Scenting just a bit off with all the old lines.

Next Meet - WEDNESDAY - Herr's Stone Lane - 10:00am

Blessing of the Hounds - Day 59 of the Hunting Season - January 1st, 2011

Day 59 of the Hunting Season - January 1st, 2011

NEW YEARS DAY

Meet: Gibson's Down Patrick

Temps: in the high 30's

Couples: 20 1/2 Couples *Puppies Kane, Kirkwood, Kalev, Kent, Kiwi, Kiki, Kia, Kay

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Dr. Carl Mease, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Alyse Kennedy Field Masters- Duncan Patterson MFH, Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 11:00am
End: 3:ishpm



Happy New Years Everyone!

We had a lovely day at Gibson's with the Blessing of the Hounds and a wonderful day of hunting with a great crowd out to enjoy all the sport!

If was a funny start to the Blessing of the Hounds when the hounds came over and wet all over Reverend Jo-an Glass as she spoke. Everyone managed to try and keep a straight face as Dott and Jimmy kept the hounds in order and the puppies from giving the Reverend kisses. Thankfully the Reverend took everything in stride and kept going.

Reverend Jo-an Glass gave a great blessing to the Horses, the Hounds, the Fox, and the Riders, and the Landowners! Afterwards we had coffee and donuts and got everyone on their horses. We moved off across the cornfield towards Dougs, and the little puppies gave us all a laugh when they tried to run after flock of geese that were flying off. They learned pretty quick that they couldnt catch up and seemed pretty disappointed when we called them back. We all have to keep in mind the eight puppies we take out are only ten months old. Can't you hear the puppies now 'What kind of foxes are these? THey have feathers, two legs, and can fly? - Goosy-Ho!'

The hunt started a little slow as they were hit and miss from the bank at Dougs towards the two streams and then up towards the hay bales. Hounds moved into the Bone Woods quietly working a line and then Drummer opened up. Dott viewed a fox by the Dog Box, and no sooner I viewed the fox run down from the Dog Box, run over a log to cross the stream that divides Ankrum's and Gibson's, and the fox went up the other side towards the rocky bank in Gibson's woods and went to ground. I think he went in fast because Drummer was not very far behind him!

MFH Jimmy took the hounds up stream along the Fishing Creek and along the Flat. Hounds were able to pick up a line pretty strong along the bottom and then up towards the Stone Pile where they lost the line at the top of the Palisades. MFH Jimmy who was on the road came up to the top where the hound lost the line, and was able to move the hounds on into the woods with the Spring House and the hounds were able to pick up the line again. They went on and straight out towards the Furriss Road but the fox went to ground on the bank at the road.

From here, we crossed towards the Township Building, and dropped towards the pavilion in the park and hunted towards the Duck Pond. The field view the foxes head out towards Herr's house, and soon after Dr. Mease and the car followers viewed the foxes all the way toward at the machine sheds at the bottom of the big bank.



Hounds picked up the line and were not too far behind. Clearly the two foxes were running together because the hounds almost looked like they were working serpentining trying to stay on the first line. I was standing at the big bend in the road where the fox usually crosses towards the tires... I was just about thinking the fox most have gone one out another way and I was worried that I was most likely going to get left when out popped the first fox and like always ran towards the tires. As I bent down to my radio to be quiet and call it in the second fox came out to my right through Herrs horse pasture.



Drummer was the first out of the covert and was on the line of the second fox, then came Darla and Dawn.. the D's seem to be in control of the day! So on I went the lead hounds as they took it up through the woods on the meet side of Furniss Road and went on the bottom up towards the Old Spring then along the end of the cornfield on the Stone Pile side, dropped down the Palisades bank towards the Fishing Creek. They wrapped around the bottom of Herrs horse fields and went back up the bank of the Palisades and out across the hay field and then hit a miss.

At this point we got a count, we had all the hounds and thought it best to call it a day and head back to the meet.

Karen and all the ladies had everything heated up and set out in the Pigery. We had a very enjoyable time with everyone. It certainly is a great feeling to see so many happy people, happy hounds, happy horses, and most importantly a happy huntsman.

Great way to 'hunt in' the New Year!

Cheers!

We will be hunting Monday, January 3rd at Red Pump - 10:00am weather permitting