River Hills Foxhounds

Wiles Meet November 14th, 2011

2011-11-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

November 14th, 2011
Meet: Wiles
Couples: 23 1/2
Staff:
Huntsman -James Paxson MFH
Whippers-In -Fred VonCzoernig MFH
-Priscilla Godsoe
-Hoppy Stearns
Field Master -Gary Kennedy
Hound Truck -Karen Kennedy

Start 10:00am
Finish 12:45pm

Wonderful foxes grace the country side of the Wiles meet. As the foxes cris-crossed the woods and wheat fields the hounds pressed on and ran for nearly two hours. Early into the first draw of the corn field the hounds picked up a line and ran through the corn and into the woods, crossed the rail road bed and went up through the vegetable farm where the fox was headed back towards the meet paralleling the Puseyville Rd and towards the bridge. The hounds followed the line through the corn field again and back into the woods by the dump and did the same loops again. Some where the foxes crossed paths and the hounds struck a line toward the Ram, and then they took a direct line back through the woods, this fox was much darker and was headed back in the direction of the meet. Another fox was viewed coming out of the woods near the meet almost head on to the hunted fox. Hounds struggled a bit to stay on the line as puppies didnt know which line to take. Drummer, Cyndy, Darla, and Dawn took the line back down to the creek and then the pack blasted one out of the park toward the Saw Mill, bending towards the Chicken House and ran hard until they put the fox to ground above the Chicken Houses. We hunted the hounds back to the meet and loaded up after a great day.

Wednesday meet was canceled due to rain.

Plan is to hunt Down Patrick - Friday and Red Pump - Saturday

*Dont forget - Next week is the last week of hunting before the two week break of deer season. Next week we will be hunting Mon-Wed-Thur (Thanksgiving)-Fri-Sat!!!

Belated Update From RHF - November 13th, 2011

2011-11-13T15:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,

I will start by first giving my regrets to those of you who regularly followed the River Hills Blog on hunting and other such 'hound like' activities. Reason being for the lack of 'blogging' has more or less been a lack of time on my behalf. I started this summer galloping horses for trainer Tim Woolley at the Fair Hill Training Center in Fair Hill, Maryland along with the regular activities of training my show and sales horses and running my farm and working at the kennels and whipping-in. Its a full time job keeping up with me.... trust me I know!

The reason for jumping back into the blog was due to the sudden death of two dear hound friends Dutch and Daniel. Age and hard hunting finally caught up with our dear boys and with in a two week time we lost one and then the other. I suppose I regret not writing about them in the blogs, not listing there part in what we do out there. I felt lost heading into the kennels the other morning and not seeing them, and even more so not hearing them while we were hunting. I hate to start everyone off with such sad news but I do want everyone to remember that the hounds are why we go out, and its because of them we enjoy our sport. I think its very important we remember them, love them, and respect them for all they do for us.

On a lighter note I can happily report that our hunting season, along with last years nine puppies have been coming along tremendously well. We had a few weeks that set us back here and there due to the rain but for the most part we've been going along just great. Our Opening Day was re-scheduled; due to SNOW, to yesterday, November 12th. The fixture was at the King's Mount Rocky Meet were we started off to a good view almost right from the first draw. Opening Day crowd drew out about 40 some riders and many well wishers on foot and car followers. Its great to start the formal season with so much support from our hunting friends. After the hunt we were grateful to share the Mount Rocky Carriage Shed and Barn to enjoy a lovely meal prepared by Laura Brophy and Vikki King.

Many thanks to all those who continue to support the River Hills Foxhounds. Please check back and be sure that I will be posting about our beloved hounds!

Cheers - Priscilla

We will be hunting tomorrow at Wiles at 10:00am

Cubbing Re-Cap Days 2-7 (Aug 20th-Sept 3rd)

2011-09-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

Day 2 - August 20th
Meet: Red Pump

Temps: high 60's

Couples: 15.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Dr.Carl Mease, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Gary Kennedy

Day 3 - August 24th
Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: 70's

Couples: 19.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Saran Singh Hound Trucks- Winter Paxson

Day 4 - August 27th
Meet: Red Pump

Temps: 70's

Couples: 15.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Gary Kennedy Hound Trucks- Winter Paxson

Day 5 - August 31st
Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: 70's

Couples: 15

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Gary Kennedy Hound Trucks- Winter Paxson

Day 6 - September 2nd
Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: high 60's

Couples: 16

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Stearns,Fred VonC MFH, Field Master- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks- Winter Paxson

Day 7 - September 3rd
Meet: Red Pump

Temps: 70's

Couples: 15.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Sarah Gartland Hound Trucks- Winter Paxson

FIRST DAY of the Cubbing Season - August 17th, 2011

2011-08-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of the Cubbing Season - August 17th, 2011

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: 70's

Couples: 19 (puppy - Kia)

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

Start: 8:00am
End: 9:45am

Today was the first day back in the hunt field for the River Hills Foxhounds. It was a good, steady morning. Nothing too fast, yet not too boring.

We started out around Peirsons and into the woods toward the Park Road, came up high along Ed's house and then dropped through the horse pasture and up into the Stump Woods. The hounds cast out into the cattle field and picked up pieces of the line all the way to the grove of trees near the West Ridge Road.

They dropped down into the wet part of the woods and then moved in towards the old barn foundation and picked up a fast line through the clear woods and in behind Jim's ring. From here they worked an old log and seemed to lose what was left of the line but then they hit again and went back in the direction of the Old House foundation and the stream. At this point MFH Jimmy started hunting the hounds back to the meet. Not much on the way in but the hounds did get a good dunk in the pond as we went by.

Fridays hunt has been canceled due to the wet footing at the Mt. Rocky meet.
Saturday we will be hunting at Red Pump - 9:00am

Many Thanks! Plus a re-cap of the River Hills 2010-2011 Season!

2011-04-13T06:43:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU!

There is no hunt that can go without recognizing the generous support first and foremost from its landowners. Not a hunt out there can be successful with out this support by the ability to 'get out and hunt'! Great hounds, a great huntsman, and fast horse's are nothing without the rolling hills of farm lands like that at Wiles and the Tree Farm, the deep ravines of the River Hills at Ankrum's and Down Patrick, the thick coverts at Herr's Stone Lane and Mt. Rocky, the healthy fox population growing at Red Pump, and relationships with farmers like that at Funnel Lake.

Our hunting country stretches over thousands acres of landowner permitted hunting ground. Some of our meets individually having over 200 landowners to visit yearly, along with keeping track of farming, livestock and construction being done at farms proves to be an on going, daily job to making sure we respect and keep good connections with the very people who make hunting possible. There should be no greater voice than that of a happy landowner who gives permission to 50 or more hounds hunting through their woods and over their fields! To that we are extremely grateful.

A special thanks to the Gibson Family for so graciously opening up their property as a meeting place for us throughout the Cubbing Season, Opening Day, Children's Hunt, Joint Meets, Blessing Of The Hounds, New Years and including many, many other days of great hunting. In addition the Gibson's hospitality spills over by their opening up the 'Pigery' to us at anytime. This has become a place where we have enjoyed many after hunting lunches with all of our hunting friends.

Along with the Gibson's we would like to thank Tim Hanks for allowing us to hunt through his property which is better known to as the Ankrum's Dog Box. Tim also hunts with us regularly and has become very active in keep trails clear, at helping to keep hunting land open for fox hunting.In addition a big thank you to Jim and Louis Herr and Herr Foods Inc. for all of their support with opening up the Red Pump and Holy View Meets, as well as Herr's Stone Lane. Their support has been tremendous throughout the years. Jim who also hunts with us has been out many other occasions to help improve the trails, adding new jumps, and giving us full access to hunting through out the Cubbing and Regular Season.

Another Thank you to Wilson and Vikki King as well as John and Lea Reynolds for opening and maintaining the Fox Mill and Mt. Rocky Meets. Both adjoining meets are comprised of hundreds of acres, lots of trails, and many great jumps.

Lastly a thank you to our Amish farmers and friends, too many to list, but all of their support and kindness cannot go without mention. To the Amish, land and livestock, and way of life is everything. They farm, hunt, and fish off the land to help keep and feed their families, so, understanding the Amish way of life and respecting their traditions has helped River Hills to grow great relationships and respect from our Amish landowners.

Amish landowners have educated themselves over that last 10 years to fox hunting through the efforts of our masters. Because fox hunting is seen by some Amish as a 'worldly' past time it is very important to us that we have been given the support from our Amish landowners in keeping the Southern Lancaster County and parts of Chest County open to fox hunting. Many of our Amish landowners can be seen on Saturdays and holidays enjoying the hunting day with us and their families by watching the hunt off and enjoying the hounds work.

Because of our landowners support and interest in what we do, they have helped to educate their neighbors, friends and family about American Fox Hunting.

In addition to thanking our landowners a very special thank you goes out to our members. It is rare to find so many people who are truly passionate about hounds, and horses. On a slow day when the scenting is not there you can always look and no matter what see that we are surrounded and supported by fox hunters.

It also, cannot go without saying, a great BIG thank you to our River Hills Staff. Our staff has become like family, and we embrace them under our wings. The tireless commitment to hunting four days a week, along with keeping 'real' jobs, waking up to go Cubbing at 3:30am to hunt at 5:30 in the mornings of August or what seems like negative temperatures of January, no matter what they are always there. This particular thank you goes out to James Paxson, Fred VonCzoering, Duncan Patterson, Leo & Flora Erb, Gregory & Winter Paxson, Gary, Karen, & Alyse Kennedy, Dott Cochran, Dr. Carl Mease, Hoppy Stearns, and Priscilla Godsoe.

We would not be where we are without you!

SEASON OF ADVENTURES

For the River Hills Foxhounds the Cubbing Season started August 9th, 2010 with the addition of 14 puppies, and last years 5 new entries. Although the Cubbing Season started in August we had been out hound walking, and leash training the puppies throughout the month of July. 'Pre- Season' is always a lot of fun around the River Hills Kennels as we try to include as many children, parents, and members to get out with us, learn the hounds names, socialize with the puppies, walk the hounds on the loop around Funnel Lake, take the hounds for a swim in the creeks and pond near the kennels and just plan have fun!

Through the Cubbing season we had a lot of terrific hunting. The puppies were brought out slowly and worked into the pack really swell. In the midst of Cubbing season we were able to attend the Kimberton Hound Show on September 19th, 2010. We had three 2nd place finishers and a 4th.The ending of October was the finishing up of the Cubbing season and start to the Opening Season. In the middle of October two teams represented the River Hills Foxhounds at the Pennsylvania National Horse Shows Hunt Night. Gregory Paxson MFH, placed 6th, Kelly Conner placed 6th, and Wilson King placed 7th.

Also, our very own Master & Huntsman was featured in an article about his 'Heart to jump 7'3" walls' on his thoroughbred horse Ilion. Lastly, our Opening Day Meet, October 30th, 2010 held at the Gibson's Down Patrick which was a great success.

November's Hunting was just a blast and filled with probably the most fun tails! November 13th we had a Joint Meet with the Warwick Village Hounds at Gibson's Down Patrick. 22 1/2 Couples of fast hounds and foxes that just ran everywhere from all different directions. It was a great day, with great people!

Hounds were prime this season, and as hard as it is to admit but we have a great story about loosing the hounds on a fantastic run at the Ankrum's Dog Box Meet November 22, 2010. The saying of that day was, 'The hunting gods were with us!'.

In addition to some great hunting we had a very memorable Children's Hunt that was coupled with the Huntsman For The Day. The Children's Hunt included two Pony Clubs, and the Work To Ride program out of Philadelphia.Also in November the River Hills Staff could be seen out riding at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup on our fleet of greys.

December hunting was a bit shorter with only 9 hunts,the time off from the Deer Hunting season slowed us down a little but we went out of 2010 with some good times on December 31st New Years Eve Hunt. December also included the addition of Gregory and Winter's healthy baby boy Clayton.

January, March and February were the hardest months on all of us as fox hunters. We were plagued with two good snow storms and lots and lots of ice! The Blessing Of The Hounds on New Years Day at the Gibson's Down Patrick meet was just wonderful. Reverend Jo-an Glass blessed the hounds, horses, riders, and the hunting land. The day of hunting was fast, and we enjoyed a great lunch afterward at the Gibson's 'Pigery'.

January 24th, 2011 we hunted on a day with the temperature well below freezing, more like the single digits, we had just enough snow to ride around, but boy was it cold. The going joke that day was that we were hunting with Arctic Hounds, no longer Penn Marydels!

February hit us the hardest in two ways: we only hunted twice because of the crazy ice and snow that we got, and our hardest hit was the loss of our dear Beazie. She was a wonderful hound, and she will be missed terribly.March weather cleared up a little, we went from ice - to mud - to rain!

We finished March by getting out 9 times. The hunting was good when we did get out. Funnel Lake, Herr's Stone Lane, and Red Pump were pretty much thrillers!To highlight a couple, there was a hunt March 2nd, 2011 at Herr's Stone Lane, the fox was very fun, he would go in and out of different holes, and just a pleasure to watch and enjoy with the hounds. That day left us jumping in and out of more pastures, over logs and coops than any other day this whole season.

One particular hunt at Funnel Lake, March 4th 2011, we ran out of horses just keeping up with the hounds. It was a fast day and we covered A LOT of country. We cannot forget to add the March 19th Hunt at Red Pump and the hunt over the 'extended' Red Pump hunting country through the Barrens! Not many pictures were taken that day due to the sheer amount of galloping to keep up with the blistering speed of the hounds into country we are not overly familiar with. Perhaps this summer we can open up new trails in this section of our country? Hint - hint!

In the closing of our season we were very thankful to Alex Brown in benefiting $5.00 from each book sold at the 1st Barbaro Book Signing held at the Kennedy's Puddle Duck Creek Tack Shop in Quarryville, PA. Alex was very generous in supporting River Hills in our efforts to saving and re-started off the track thoroughbreds into new careers as fox hunters, and show horses.

In the middle of writing his book Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy, Alex was out hound walking, cubbing, and hunting on many occasions (as long as it wasn't too cold) as a bit of a mental break. We were very pleased to be a part of the journey and watching the book unfold!

Our very last day of hunting was March 30th, 2011, at Herr's Stone Lane. We had planned three more hunts but the weather and farmers planting and proved to get the better of us. We were able to finish out strong, safe, and healthy with no bumps or bruises along the way we enjoyed a terrific season of hunting!

Tally ho!

Just a reminder...

You will see us at:

Plumsted Races Out Riding - April 24th
Winterthur Point to Point Out Riding along with the Parade of the River Hills Foxhounds - May 8th
Willowdale Races Out Riding - May 15th
Radnor Races Out Riding - May 21st
Fairhill Races Out Riding - May 28th

Day 77 of the Hunting Season - March 30th, 2011

2011-03-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

Day 77 of the Hunting Season - March 30th, 2011

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: 30's

Couples: 17.5

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

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:00 pm

The video should explain it all! We had a really fun day and the hounds did a GREAT job.

We started out on Pierson's side, moved around under the power lines, and then into the Stump Woods where the hounds picked up a good line through all the briers. They worked the line over logs and stumps which was a pretty cool sight. Fox finally went to ground in the Clear Woods near the park and McPherson's Lake.

MFH Jimmy took the hounds back through the Park and the hounds were able to pick up an awesome run through the thick briers in the woods behind the blue building and then came flying from out of the briers onto the trail that comes down from the brick house. For about 45 mins hounds ran through the park and then finally put the fox to ground above the monument and below the burn in the woods.

With a good day and the hounds all accounted for we hunted back to the meet. Hounds didn't really pick up anything that they could go on with so we called it a day!

No Hunting Friday

Saturday - Red Pump - 10:00am

Day 76 of the Hunting Season - March 26th, 2011

2011-03-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

Day 76 of the Hunting Season - March 26th, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: 30's

Couples: 17.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dott Cochran, Field Master- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks- Leo & Flora Erb, Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:50 pm

What about this crazy weather... Rain? Snow? Hail? I thought this was S p R i N g ?
30 degree difference from last Saturday to this Saturday.

Scenting was a little bit tough but we ended up with a nice fox, great views, and some good gallops! Hounds went together great and you could barely tell the little puppies were there.

I'm sad the season is coming to an end because I really enjoy these puppies this year. They try so hard, and just love to hunt like there mom Cyndy. Hoping to get out Wednesday at Herr's Stone Lane, and Saturday at Red Pump.

Cheers!

1st Book Signing from Alex Browns - Greatness & Goodness: Barbaro & His Legacy

2011-03-22T20:17:00.000-07:00

Puddle Duck Creek Tack & Apparel - hosted the VERY FIRST BOOK SIGNING of Alex Brown's fantastic new book Greatness & Goodness: BARBARO & His Legacy in Quarryville, PA on March 20th, 2011

$5.00 of every book purchased at the book signing went to the benefit of the River Hills Foxhounds for the efforts in rescuing off the track thoroughbreds and helping them start new careers as fox hunters, show horses, or pleasure riding horses.

Thoroughbreds are the preferred horse to the River Hills Staff. These horses are fast enough to keep up with the hounds, quick thinking, smart and careful enough to handle the hilly rocky terrain of some of the hunting country, and have the stamina to handle a hunt lasting several hours.

Above Picture: River Hills 'Eden' reading about the hound name Barbaro from Greatness & Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy!

Above Picture: several OTTB that River Hills helped to 're-start'

Above Picture: River Hills Lynden Godsoe signing her illustrations from the book!

Above Picture: River Hills very own Karen Kennedy & Alex Brown

Above Picture: Lynden Godsoe (illustrator) sitting with the 'left overs' of the 5000 first edition books in Alex's garage!

Above Picture: Alex Brown signing one of the 80 books signed and sold at the first book signing!!!

Above Picture: Full house outside the tack shop!

Above Picture: One of the four River Hills Penn Marydel Foxhounds that came to the book signing to help kick off their support for Alex Brown! 'Diva' ... she was quite the crowd pleaser and of course - A DIVA!!!

We were very lucky to have Alex take a 'break' from writing his book (note the iphone in hand) to come out to the kennels to play with puppies and also enjoy fox hunting and riding with us!

In addition to Alex's great depiction of Barbaro's life and legacy, our sweet 16 year old Lynden Godsoe did the illustrations for the entire book.

And last but not least River Hills Whipper-In Priscilla Godsoe were apart of the wonderful addition that Alex added to his book called the photo essay (picture 136)- Priscilla's horse Judge Beautiful was showcased as an OTTB that had a very unsuccessful time at the racetrack but was 're-started' and shown in the book in her career as a show horse/fox hunter.

From all of us at River Hills - We wish Alex the very best!

Book Available on
www.amazon.com
as well as
www.alexbrownracing.com
More information on the River Hills Foxhounds can be found at
www.rhfpa.com

Day 75 of the Hunting Season - March 19th, 2011

2011-03-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

Day 75 of the Hunting Season - March 19th, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: high 60's

Couples: 24

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- MFH Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dr.Carl Mease, Dott Cochran, Field Master- MFH Duncan Patterson, Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks- Leo & Flora Erb, Karen Kennedy, Winter Paxson

Start: 10:00am
End: 2:00 pm

I'm sorry I dont have more pictures! We had a pretty fast day and there was no time for pictures. Oh well! First fox went out from the coops above Hogs Run, towards Hotel California, around the Pond, and up towards Freemont Road and the Amish Fields. Since the Amish were working we pulled the hounds up and headed back towards the brier patch near the meet.

MFH Jimmy got off and walked through the briers to helps the hounds stay positive about diving into the thick briers. I think they may have been a bit tired after yesterdays hunt, but they quickly got a second wind when they push a fox out of the brier patch heading towards the Deer Stand. I was holding MFH Jimmy's horse the whole time and couldnt get to the Lees Bridge Road in time to stop the hounds from crossing... and wouldnt you believe it. The one time I'm not there the fox crosses and no one was there to stop them... so into the Barrens the hounds flew.

If you look closely at the above picture - the area in red is the 'normal' area of the Red Pump Meet... the area in yellow is the extended version that is three times as big? Yeeha!
All the hounds went great and stayed together perfect. Its a bit rough going in some places... trails are not made or maintained haha! It was a day of 'River Hills Ridin'.

I outlined the different lines and runs we took with the hounds. Covered a lot of country!
All in all it was an adventure! All the hounds, horses and riders made it through the gallops and cat briers... dedication!

Cheers!

Looking like Monday will be rained out...and Wednesday is looking like a wintery mix (and this is what they call the first week of spring?)

Day 74 of the Hunting Season - March 18th, 2011

2011-03-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

Day 74 of the Hunting Season - March 18th, 2011

Meet: Funnel Lake

Temps: high 60's

Couples: 25.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- MFH Duncan Patterson, Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks- Leo & Flora Erb, Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 2:00 pm

YES!!!

A great day of hunting, and a very wonderful fox!

MFH Jimmy took the hounds in towards the stone pile. Hounds worked a line slowly from the Stone pile to the Red Barn by the Township Woods, then they went! What a sound & what a sight with 51 hounds- it was wonderful. Hounds went along by the new bridge and then up across towards the Hollow Road and the Power lines.

Amish had spread a lot of manure/sludge on the one field by the power lines which made it slow going as the hounds kept the line up through to the next strip of woods. Since the hounds were slowed down they worked through the woods pretty quiet. Fox was waiting for us in the next covert... literally... just waiting and hoping over logs and then would turn around and see how far the hounds were behind him. It was a sight.

The fox played around for a while and then popped out of the woods and flew across the wheat field towards Pumping Station Road with hound right on his trail. If I wasn't galloping towards Pumping Station Road I would have taken a video. Sound again was incredible!

The fox took the hounds along the stream and rocky cliffs around the road and then took out across the open field towards Albrights but crossed the road. We pulled the hounds up before crossing the road, because that country was a whole new day of hunting, and we would have needed new horses!

It was a really great run, and we covered a lot of River Hills Country! Yeeeeha! Ready for tomorrow? (Red Pump - 10:00am)

Day 73 of the Hunting Season - March 12th, 2011

2011-03-20T08:25:00.000-07:00

Day 73 of the Hunting Season - March 12th, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: 40's

Couples: 17

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

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:00 pm

I hate to say it.. but I think hunting days are starting to slow down. This time of year they are either crazy good or short and sweet. Today was short and sweet.

Hounds did good trying but thats all they seemed do. Whatever lines they worked, they worked straight to dens with vixens getting ready to have cubs.

Day 72 of the Hunting Season - March 9th, 2011

2011-03-11T05:16:00.000-08:00

Day 72 of the Hunting Season - March 9th, 2011

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: 40's

Couples: 17.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dott Cochran, Field Master- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks- Leo & Flora Erb, Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:00 pm

Well.... first off - I forgot my Droid in the hound truck - OOOPs! I did however get pictures for the blog from other members of the field who were less forgetful.

We had a terrific day of hunting! Just super! Hounds picked up a line in the Stump Woods and went strong and fast toward the Old House. They just about flew through Jim's Clear Woods towards the Park, and then made a bend towards the Park Road along the little stream that runs under Jim's Drive. Hounds were still going fast as they bent around the bank at Jims and crossed the flat area between Jim and Ed's Pond. Daniel, Issac, and Izzy were on front and took the line straight up towards the power lines.

At the top of the hill out of the briers the hounds went across the cow pasture towards the Pond in the woods and then started to bend toward the Sheep Pasture. Hoppy viewed the fox from the Sheep Barn Side heading back towards the meet. Hound were not far behind and they took the line strong all the way back to the Stump Woods were they originally started.

MFH Jimmy didnt let the hounds stay at the hole of the den long thinking that the fox may have been a vixen. So. on we went toward Barkers Woods and the Park.

Not much happened through Barkers Woods but as we crossed into Jim's Clear Woods near the park the hounds picked up a line and went full tilt into the Park with Issac and Drummer on front. They took the line towards the Swamp and then up towards the Monument, took a bend towards the Burn in the woods below the Junk Yard and back into Jim's Clear Woods, but... not in the clear part! The hounds made a good struggle to work through all the cat briers. I know you wouldnt find me in there!

As the fox gave them a guided tour of the brier patch he split and went towards Barkers Woods and the Old Barn Foundation. The fox then went to ground in a pile of logs with a den nicely build in the bottom. Older Hounds and Puppies were very proud of themselves! MFH Jimmy got off his horse and blew the fox to ground and then we moved off again to leave the fox been in his den.

As we moved back towards the meet the hounds picked up another line towards the meet, through the cow pasture and straight towards the Cemetery. In the bottom of the brier patch below the Cemetery, Leo saw the hounds working the line in the direction towards Jim's Barn.
Luckily for us we were able to enjoy watching the hounds work and were able to sit tight and let them work around us. The Hounds took the line back towards the woods above Jim's Horse Pasture and took the line to a hole again.

And then we called it a day!

We were all about tired too!

Day 71 of the Hunting Season - March 5th, 2011

2011-03-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

Day 71 of the Hunting Season - March 5th, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: 40's

Couples: 17.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Sara & Melissa Gartland

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:00 pm

No sight of our red furry friend but we had a very enjoyable day!

Melissa and Sara Garland did an excellent job leading the field and navigating the meet with all of their younger field members that included children from Pony Club and 4-H.

Hunting was a bit tame considering the flat our gallops that we had yesterday at Funnel Lake. Hounds were hit and miss on a few lines, and circled around a lot of holes. Its rather promising to see that the vixens are sticking to their dens preparing to have pups soon!

Holy View will definitely make good fox viewing... maybe I can get out there with my camera once the pups start exploring life outside the den!

Monday looks like rain - I doubt we will be out hunting.

Cheers!

Day 70 of the Hunting Season - March 4th, 2011

2011-03-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

Day 70 of the Hunting Season - March 4th, 2011

Meet: Funnel Lake
Temps: 40's

Couples: 18.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- MFH Fred Von C, Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Gary Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:00 pm

What a SUPER day! Just awesome.

Hounds ran from the woods below the log house, up and around toward the stone pile, made two tight circles on the big bank. We thought the fox may have went to ground, but he shot out across the woods going up towards chicken Sam's, into the Township woods and then back towards the Red Dairy Barn where they finally put the fox to ground on the rock cliff.

MFH Jimmy brought the hounds across the corn field and toward the woods with the power lines heading towards Pumping Station Rd and the second Dairy Barn. As the hounds made their way through the woods they picked up a line hot on the last fox of the day. The headed straight towards the Dairy Barn and along the bank over the creek that flowed along Pumping Station and Dry Wells Road. Fox was viewed coming up from the pond and heading towards Hollow Road. Hound were not far behind him!

As we got near the Hollow Road MFH Jimmy had to make the call to pull up the hounds because the fox was viewed heading out of country. Beautiful, healthy fox, and probably surprised that we stopped playing with him today. He would run, and then stop and just sit and watch the hounds, disappear in the woods, and pop out again and watch the hounds. I think he knew exactly what he was doing!!

Hounds were good and let us pick them up.. they weren't happy about it, but it was a great day for the puppies, and the older hounds were pretty tired.

Day 69 of the Hunting Season - March 2nd, 2011

2011-03-03T04:30:00.000-08:00

Day 69 of the Hunting Season - March 2nd, 2011

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: 40's

Couples: 16.5

Staff: Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master- Gary Kennedy

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

Great - Great Day!

We started out along the fence line towards Barkers Woods and the hounds picked up an early line through the woods. The fox went right, deeper into Barkers Woods and in the direction of the Park. Hounds made pretty good speed following the fox through all of the cat briers. The puppies had a good taste of staying with the pack and going through thick and thin!

As soon as the hounds hit an open road they were flying. They took off along the road in the Park into the ravine paralleling West Ridge and the Blue Building. Keeping a steady canter I could keep up with the hounds along the edge of the woods in the fire break as the hounds headed towards the Brick House and then on towards the Church.

The hounds dropped left through the wash in the woods on the Radio Tower side heading towards the old quarries. From the quarries the were still going fast until the fox jumped back into the cat briers and slowed the hounds up a bit. I galloped from the ridge above the hounds near the quarry, all the way around to the Monument but never quite caught up.

As I came from the Monument the hounds were ahead of me heading towards Jims Woods, along McPhearson Lake. A good fast gallop around the lake put me on Park Road were I saw hounds still running up behind Jims House. I waited for a second or two to see if the fox would cross the drive at Jims but instead the fox crossed through Jim's back yard, along the pond, and up on the bank towards the horse pasture.

Full speed ahead and then silence! I cantered up through the horse pasture to find all the hounds at the hole. It must have been a well used den, because the hounds covered the two on the bank and got a good sniff of fox in their lungs. MFH Jimmy blew the fox in and praised the hounds for all their effort. We pulled the hounds back to let the fox be in his den unharmed and ready to play another day.

We packed up with a bunch of tired hounds, happy horses, and I'm sure some riders who will be feeling stiff in the morning!

Cheers!

Day 68 of the Hunting Season - February 26th, 2011

2011-02-27T17:02:00.000-08:00

Day 68 of the Hunting Season - February 26th, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: 40's

Couples: 17

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

Start: 11:00am
End: 1:30 pm

What a lovely day for being out in the country side...

Took the hounds along Red Pump and up towards the deer stand at Lees Bridge Road, down through the ravine and around the bank by the Scottish Highland Cattle. From the woods and brier patches towards Holy View the hounds popped out a Vixen then ran swiftly to her den.

MFH Jimmy took that hounds along the river, back along the old fence line picking up a line across the corn field, and up to the top of the corn field above the amphitheater. Hounds ran fast and strong though the woods and put the fox to ground in the woods between the two coops. I'm thinking there is a hole in there because twice since we have been over this way the hounds stop quick... that or aliens?

We crossed over towards the bridge abutment and the hounds picked up a line towards the coop above Hogs Run, ran along the top in the woods towards Hotel California, crossed the path by the pond and into Lousie Lane and out towards the cornfield on the Lees Bridge side of the meet.

Hounds were running towards a development so we called them up and took them around to pick the line up again. Fox crossed the Lees Bridge Road so we ended up calling it a day before heading into the Barrens.

I've gotta say - I'm pretty proud of the hounds for picking up and heading home... they hadn't been out for a week and they had a hot line. Dawn wasn't too sure about quiting and gave me a good glare!

and no... we didn't get stuck... just almost!

Day 67 of the Hunting Season - February 18th, 2011

2011-02-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

Day 67 of the Hunting Season - February 18th, 2011

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: 40's

Couples: 17 1/2 Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Fred VonC MFH, Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy
Guest - Christin and Norris from New Zealand

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:12 pm

Well gosh guys!!! How long has it been since we've been out?

We had tons of ice and snow which seemed to never end. At the start of the week we got lucky in that the temperatures were up into the 60's during the day, and the 40's at night. Even though the high temperatures proved a big help in the melting we still had snow and ice in the woods, and along the creeks. Good thing for sure footed horses and hard core fox hunters!

Despite the time off, the hounds looked great, they listened and were quick to pick up a line towards Pedro's and the Freemont Road. Not exactly where we were planning to go but hounds were able to take the line below the mushroom plant but double back towards the river below the log cabin, and go on towards Hog's run and the coop.

Our guest from New Zealand got a good listen of the hounds as they made their way through the woods, and went on back towards Hotel California and the meet. Fox was put to ground on the bank and MFH Jimmy took the hounds towards the brier patch near the meet along Red Pump Road and again the picked up a line. Hounds went across the corn field and in the the woods towards the Bridge Abutment, crossed Red Pump Road and went up on the Holy View Side towards the woods with the two coops.

Hounds ran pretty fast and strong until they got to the next field and then hit a miss. It looked as though the fox may have doubled back and went on towards the old dump. Eden seemed to keep picking up and losing what was left of the line, but wasn't much there to run with. Since we were near the meet, all riders and horses, and hounds accounted for we called it a day!

We enjoyed coffee, and tea, cakes, and donuts, sandwiches, and Herr's Chips while we enjoyed the company of our kindred spirit hunting friends.

Cheers & Tally ho!

'Gone Away' a tribute to Beazie

2011-02-01T05:21:00.000-08:00

It wasn’t hard to tell
I could see it in her eyes
She was ready for some hunt’n
Almost saying her good byes
She watched me with her eyes
And she gave her tail a wiggle

As I looked down at her and smiled
A great hound - we all know that
I reached down to pet her
I saw that look in her eyes
She was always there to please
Always there to try

"Not today” I told her
“We are just going to stay here a while”
I looked down at her ragged ears
All ripped a part by briers
And I noticed all those grey hairs
that had come in around her eyes

She was kind - yet tough
Strong - yet lean
She had a fire in her eyes
She was always running strong on front
Until the years crept on her so
And slowly you would see her
As the seasons came and went

She was falling back into the pack
But right there to set them right
She never missed an outing
And all harked on all right!
The puppies came and went
They would trail behind her so

And slowly they too went on,
Knowing all that she would know.
Her stride was getting shorter
Her feet more spread apart
She had seen so many fox hunts
And covered many a mile.

As she laid there on her blanket
And looked up at me again
I put my hands on her
And pet her velvet soft head
I could feel the dreaded tears come on
And my chest aching so

She left us to go hunting,
There is a great pack up there ya know
She will be up there at the front
And running with the best,
Until I get to join her
In the great fox hunt in the sky.

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

2011-01-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-18T05:35:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-16T00:11:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-16T00:05:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-10T15:44:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-05T17:24:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-04T04:39:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

Day 58 of the Hunting Season - December 31st, 2010

2010-12-31T15:22:00.000-08:00
Day 58 of the Hunting Season - December 31st, 2010

NEW YEARS EVE

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the 30's

Couples: 21 Couples *Puppies Kane, Kirkwood, Kalev, Kent, Kiwi, Kiki, Kia, Kay

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

Start: 10:15am
End: 1:ishpm

Well.... .... .... It wasnt a blank day, but it wasnt much of a day either.

All 42 hounds stayed together and worked hard, but they couldnt go on with anything.

You could tell a fox had been out and about but its never a good thing when the Huntsman 'smells' the fox. I guess all off us whips could have picked up Dawn and Dorthy, Drummer and Diana, Daniel and Issac, Devon and Beazie, Easter and Empress and then maybe we could have run a fox.

Oh well, such is the way of fox hunting!

Tomorrow will be the Blessing Of The Hounds and New Years Day Hunt
We hope that everyone will join us at 11:00am - whether you are on a horse or not!
After hunting we will have brunch in the Pigery - if you can bring something we would appriciate it!

Day 57 of the Hunting Season - December 29th, 2010

2010-12-30T05:57:00.000-08:00

Day 57 of the Hunting Season - December 29th, 2010

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the 30's

Couples: 20 1/2 Couples *Puppies Kane, Kent, Kiwi(*first hunt), Kiki & Kia

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Impromptu Whips - Melissa Gartland, Field Masters- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Dott Cochran
Start: 10:00am
End: 12:12pm

Hounds stayed together so great and ran a couple fast foxes!

We started out with 5 'River Hillers' on horseback - Jimmy, Melissa, Carlee, Gary, and myself, and then Dot showed up a little later in the truck to view fox and watch the roads. We were not totally sure where everyone was today, maybe too much Holiday cheer? No one could fit into their breeches? I dont know. But, I'd say everyone missed out on a fun day.

So, we started out to the right of the meet heading towards the trailer park. MFH Jimmy had some issues navigating the 'cows', and the puppies thought the cows had some very exciting smells, especially the smells that they could roll around in!

As we past the trailer park, Dawn picked up a line and the pack was off. They dropped into the woods parallelling West Ridge Road and made there way into Barkers side of the meet. The were quiet s the older hounds worked a couple logs and then flew out of the woods! It would have a great video had I been more prepared with my camera!

Out of the woods and over the coops to the big cow pasture above Jim's horse field. Hounds ran straight to one hole and out came the fox from another hole. He ran through the Stump Woods, back to Barkers Woods and then went to ground.

On our way out of Barkers Woods we pushed out another fox and ran him through the Stump Woods, to the bank by Jim's pond, up around the Old Barn Foundation and then back out towards the coop at the cow field and then lost him?

MFH Jimmy moved the hounds out of the Stump Woods area towards Jim's Clear Woods, in the direction of the hole near the Park Woods. As they past over the hole they picked up a line on the park trail and took it across Jim's Drive and under the power lines. Dott viewed the fox come off the bank above Jim's Barn and crossed up through the horse field.

MFH Jimmy moved the hounds through the cow pasture in the direction of where Dot viewed. Cows were rather interested by all the hounds and it was just safer to move through, even if we hadn't viewed a fox. Not long after the hounds were on the line and they took it up through the horse field, out into the cow pasture, dropped into the Stump Woods again, crossed the little stream to the Old Barn Foundation, and then took a straight line towards the big cow pasture and the coop.

Melissa and I view the fox but he went right towards Freemont Road. With pretty much no whips out, and already having had a great morning of runs, we pulled the hounds up as soon as we realized where the fox was heading.

It was a good day! And... we came back with every hound. I shouldn't have been worried but we did cover a lot of area, so, it was 'cool' to know that they were all working well together.

NEXT MEET: Friday at RED PUMP at 10:00am

DON'T FORGET!!!
BLESSING OF THE HOUNDS - SATURDAY - DOWN PATRICK MEET - 11:00am

Day 56 of the Hunting Season - December 25th, 2010

2010-12-26T04:44:00.000-08:00

Merry, Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Day 56 of the Hunting Season - December 25th, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the high 20's

Couples: 19 Couples *Puppies Kiki, Kane, Kalev, Keno, & Kia

Staff:
Huntsman- James Paxson MFH, Whippers-in- Priscilla Godsoe, Impromptu Whips - Saran Singh, Sarah Gartland, Melissa Gartland, Field Masters- James Paxson MFH, Hound Trucks - None

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:30pm

Well folks, if you weren't out with us today, you sure did missed a good day!

MFH Jimmy, Saran, and I started out by going into then kennel figuring out which hounds to take hunting this morning... I dont know why the hound faces looked more sad of Christmas Day than other days, but they did. The result - taking 39 hounds out with one whip and three impromptu fill in whips.

LUCKILY we had a good day and the hounds made great Christmas Hounds!

We started out by heading towards the bamboo forest and the hounds picked up a line early towards Lees Bridge Rd but we had to pull them up. MFH Jimmy pull the hounds up through the clear woods towards DeVines and they started again really strong taking the line in the woods below the junk yard and dropped towards Hogs Run.

Hounds crossed Hogs Run and kept along the bottom towards the Bridge Abutment, had a little trouble but moved up towards the woods with the two coops and across towards the first deer stand near Lees Bridge. Hounds kept it going towards the Highland cattle and out in the direction of the Mouse House. From here it was a bit quiet as the hounds works slowly through the woods on the Mouse House side but went full tilt again on the meet side of the point heading into the amphitheater, across the fields above the woods with the two coops, along the old fence line by the old drive.

Hounds gave me a GOOD scare as they took the line right along Lees Bridge, making me think they were going to cross at any time, but they were careful and took it straight through the old dump in the woods and down to Red Pump Road. Hounds hit a miss on the road, and since we had everyone and all the hounds we headed back to the meet since we were pretty close.

It was a fun filled morning. Hounds were good. Puppies had some funny moments too!

Looks like we will be getting some snow so keep posted for Monday!

Cheers!

Day 55 of the Hunting Season - December 24th, 2010

2010-12-26T04:38:00.000-08:00

Day 55 of the Hunting Season - December 24th, 2010

Meet: Ankrum's Dog Box

Temps: in the high 20's (windy)

Couples: 16 1/2 Couples *Puppies Kiki, Kane, Keno, & Kirkwood

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

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

We had a really fun Christmas Eve Hunt with the River Hill's Family.

Hounds started out by dropping down out of the wind by the Old House and kept dropping until they were able to pick up a light line that they were able to take up the pipeline and towards the two streams by Ankrum's and Gibson's.

The hounds were able to run well in the woods out of the wind, but had a time of it in the open fields. A few times when I was close to the hounds and watching them work the line up through the woods and into the field, I could see the hounds so concentrated and then they had a look of shock when they hit the field and the scent was just gone! I actually felt bad for them.

They lost the fox somewhere in between the bone woods and the pipeline. Most likely he went to ground in his regular hole in the heavy briers and fallen branches below the dog box.

MFH Jimmy took the hounds back out of the wind towards the flat and then crossed the Fishing Creek Road towards Schmitguls side with a slight bend towards Herr's Point.
Sterns where going the whole time but no one opened up with anything strong.

We crossed the Furrniss Road and headed towards the big bank below Herr's house. Once on the bank Daniel picked up a strong line straight up the bank and the rest of the hounds harked on to him. Hounds flew across the top and into the woods towards the pavilion, hit a miss along the drive to the park, then carried it on passed the Township building, struggled hard with it across the open field at Adams and then the scent was pretty much blown away at that point.

MFH Jimmy took one last draw by the old spring and up along the fence line towards the pump, and we headed back to the meet for Christmas cookies, cakes, brownies, cheese and crackers, Dottie's soup and hot coffee and tea. It was a great way to finish up with everyone!

We will be hunting Christmas Day at Red Pump!
10:00am

Day 54 of the Hunting Season - December 22nd, 2010

2010-12-23T04:26:00.000-08:00

Day 54 of the Hunting Season - December 22nd, 2010

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the high 20's

Couples: 19 Couples *Puppies Kay, Kiki, Kent, Keno, & Kirkwood

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

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:15pm

It was a good day for hounds working together, but not so much for long runs. Scent seemed a bit spotty. We started out through Piersons Woods, wrapped around Eds, then on through the woods on the meet side of the pond. They took a stronger line through the Stump woods and on towards the old barn foundation and the park, and kept it going towards the junk yard and the ravine near the blue building.

Below the brick house, MFH Jimmy took the hounds towards the Church and in the direction of the bus and the radio tower. Hounds kept trying to take the line but it was just a tough day. From the radio tower we went on to the monument and along the stream along McPherson Lake towards Jim's Clear Woods, and then headed back to the meet!

We will hope for a good day on Christmas Eve!
December 24th at Ankrum's Dog Box at 10:00am

Day 53 of the Hunting Season - December 20th, 2010

2010-12-20T16:17:00.000-08:00
Day 53 of the Hunting Season - December 20th, 2010

Meet: Funnel Lake

Temps: in the mid 20's

Couples: 19 Couples *Puppies Kay, Kia, & Kiki

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

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:15pm

So, I was told yesterday, 'You know every time I ask how the hunt goes with you guys at River Hills, I hear - O great, we had a really good day - so I figured I should come see for myself'.... 'You had another good day! Hounds sounded great'

I will leave this anonymous.... but I'm not lying when I say we had another good day.

We took Kia out for her first time today. I'm pretty sure she will be sleeping well tonight since the pack kept her running up and down the 'river hills'. We started with our first good run from the stone pile, back towards the amphitheater and the Bridle Path Rd. We thought they were going to cross Pumping Station Road but the fox crossed the small part of the river on Shadles side staying low along the river. The hounds ran towards the horse shoe and from the bottom ran straight up to the rocky bank by the horse pasture, and here the hounds put the first fox to ground.

MFH Jimmy took the hounds upstream again towards the horse shoe when the hounds picked up another line taking them on a high route back towards the stone pile on Sam's side, dropped down towards the horse shoe again. We thought they may have hit a miss, but it looked like Daniel found the line again on the machine shed side of the horse shoe. All the hounds harked on when Daniel opened up and the Issac helped bring it up the steep part of the bank. They were all on as the came to the top of the horse shoe and headed behind Shadles in the direction of the bridge on Pumping Station closest to the meet.

The hounds took the line to the river when we pulled them up before crossing towards Black Rock. This time of year during the Holidays we steer clear of Black Rock and always try to steer clear of 472, that is unless we happen to hunt under the bridge after deer season.

All in all, good day. Hounds stayed together nicely. Couldn't ask for anything better.

PS. Using the excuse that you didn't have clean brick britches doesn't work. Tan Tailored Sportsman, as clean as they may be, are not appropriate River Hills staff pants... ooops! Better off to err on the side of dirty - haha

Day 52 of the Hunting Season - December 18th, 2010

2010-12-19T05:18:00.000-08:00

Day 52 of the Hunting Season - December 18th, 2010

Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: in the mid 20's

Couples: 18 1/2 Couples *Puppies Kalev, Kirkwood, & Kiki

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

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:15pm

Started off across the corn fields towards Dougs for a change of pace. Hound hit a line early near the woods on the Jump Field side of Dougs and ran into the woods towards the Fishing Creek. Hounds took the line toward the stream from Gibsons and Ankrums, and took it up near the Chicken Feathers. It looked like they were going to take it toward the Pipeline but they doubled back and took it towards the Bone Woods.
In the Bone Woods the put the fox to ground in the heavy briers.

From the Bone Woods MFH Jimmy took the hounds across the wheat fields towards the Old House and around towards Adams and the Township Building. As MFH Jimmy took the hounds from the Old house towards the Township Building, the hounds were touching on scent but didn't get it strong enough to really run it until they got by the Pavilion.

From the Pavilion the hounds took the line along the stream by the Mule Field, then high up towards the briers near Herrs House. They ran really strong along the bank towards Herrs Farm Buildings and the bend on Furrniss Road (for anyone in question of the spelling of Furrniss and Furnace... I know the difference, thats just the way they spell it in these parts -haha) . Hounds took the line across the road and towards the Old House and bent around by the Old Spring House and high on the Palisades. We expected to see a fox jump out across the open fields but instead the fox crossed the Fishing Creek Road and went up towards Herr's Point.

With all the hounds on they went high on Schmitguls Side but bent back towards Herr's Point and the horse pasture that's along the Furrniss Road. Hounds crossed Furrniss and ran up towards the tree farm, sort of in the direction of Harmony Ridge Road. They went pretty fast out across the fields with all the planted trees then dropped towards the small horse field and the Gazebo by the Fishing Creek Hollow Road and the Tree Farm Meet.

Hounds went towards the Duck Pond and then up the bank towards Herr's House and put the fox to ground. We picked up the hounds at this point and hack back to the meet from the Furrniss Road side. It was a nice day of hunting for foxes with the River Hills Foxhounds!

Its a mystery to me to think what we would be doing without them?

Day 51 of the Hunting Season - December 17th, 2010

2010-12-17T11:32:00.000-08:00

Day 51 of the Hunting Season - December 17th, 2010

Meet: Wiles

Temps: in the mid 20's

Couples: 17 1/2 Couples *Puppies Keno, Kirkwood, & Kiki

Staff:
Huntsman- MFH James Paxson, Staff - MFH Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Hound Trucks - Gary Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:15pm

What wonderful foxes today! Hounds kept touching on the line as soon as we let out by the meet. You could see the tracts in the snow as the hounds inched up closer and closer to our little fuzzy friend.

Hounds got a pretty good line on the other side of the Ram and from there they pushed out two foxes that ran towards Freemont. The third fox ran back towards the ram, through the woods and then towards the Log House. Hounds stayed together really well and didnt get split as the fox took them through all the heavy briers and fallen logs. Even the puppies had their noses down and looking like they were hunting!

The fox was quiet wonderful to stay a foot for so long, and wrapped around and around and around again until he went back towards the meet and crossed the Pusseyville Road where we had to pull the hounds up.

It was a much nicer day with out all the wind that we had Wednesday!

Looking forward to tomorrow at Down Patrick! 10:00am start!! See ya then!!!

Day 50 of Hunting - Dec 15th 2010

2010-12-17T11:27:00.000-08:00

Day 50 of the Hunting Season - December 15th, 2010

Meet: Funnel Lake

Temps: in the 20's

Couples: 18 1/2 Couples *Puppies Kane and Kiki

Staff:
Huntsman- MFH James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

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

Okay, so I have thawed out and I can type again! HA-HA. It wasn't THAT bad.. I guess. The hounds did a great job despite the wind and the scent blowing around in the top fields along the 'river hills'.

MFH Jimmy took the hounds across the top field towards the Stone Pile and the hounds picked up a line that they managed to work for about an hour as they went back and forth through the woods. Hounds made several big loops from the Stone Pile, to the Log House, then to Shadles side, and back to the bank (TWICE) to put the foxes to ground.

From the Amish side we crossed the road and picked up another fox and the hounds were smok'n towards Pumping Station Road. They worked the bank really well out of the wind, and took the line up the gravel road towards the Power Lines. Personally speaking.. I was cold at this point. MFH Jimmy was not. But thankfully he had a little pity on us girls and decided to call it a day when the hounds hit a miss.

Nice day back in the saddle and out chasing foxes :-)

Day 49 of the Hunting Season - November 27th, 2010

2010-11-28T17:33:00.000-08:00

Day 49 of the Hunting Season - November 27th, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the low 40's

Couples: 32 Puppies *Kirkwood and Kiki

Staff:
Huntsman- MFH James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dott Cochran, Field Master - MFH Duncan Patterson, Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:30pm

Well, it was a bit of a colder start today, the wind seemed to get the best of me by the end of the hunt. I don't think I wore enough layers!

We started off towards the Bamboo Forrest, the hounds didn't go very low towards Hog's Run, instead they bent up towards Hotel California and ran 'top side' along the meet side of Hog's Run. It seemed as if the hounds would take the line towards the cornfield but instead they dropped right down the bank by the coop and headed towards the Junk Yard, wrapped around towards the river and then back towards Hog's Run. Hounds hit a miss across the stream and we couldn't find where the fox went from there. I wouldn't be surprised with as hard as the hounds where pushing the fox that he may have gone to ground, and maybe we just didn't see the hole? Who knows.

So, from the Hog's Run side the hounds picked up a fox from the meet side of Red Pump, crossed the road towards the Woods With The Two Coops, and then Dott saw the fox (Tally -ho) heading towards the woods along the river in the direction of the amphitheater. Hounds were cruising at this point into the woods, ran above the amphitheater and were heading STRAIGHT for the Point! Ahhhh!

With deer season coming on we try not to cross over towards the Mouse House, so, we had to pull the hounds up. Rather sad because they were just awesome sounding. Iceman, Issac, Drummer, Izzy, Diana, Dawn, and Deacon were all the front runners. It was hard to tell who was exactly on front because from the time I saw them pick the line up, I saw each one of the hounds on front of the line at some point through the woods and then on the way to the point. For me it is really exciting to see the 'I' hounds; who are a little over a year old and I had worked with and played with from the time they were born, go on to hunt and do such a good job. They obviously were bred to be fox hounds.

After the hounds were pulled up we took them towards the Mouse House but on the meet side along the river. Hounds picked up the River Fox, but we didn't see him, and he didn't stay up very long.. fox took us towards Holy View and then went to ground. We worked our way back to the meet and then called it a day!

Nice way to end before the two week break for the Deer Hunting Season, and certainly no better group of people to spend a Saturday afternoon with!

See you in two weeks!

Huntsman For The Day & Children's Hunt - Day 48 of the hunting season.

2010-11-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

Day 48 of the Hunting Season - November 26th, 2010

Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: in the 40's

Couples: 9 1/2 (Bitch Pack)

Staff:

HUNTSMAN

-Savannah Hatfield (Jim Paxson)

WHIPPERS-IN

-John Brophy (Dr. Carl Mease)

-Ella Brophy (Alyse Kennedy)

-Maseer Bennett(Priscilla Godsoe)

-Carly Steel(Hoppy Stearns)

-Liam Hodgson (Fred Von C)

-Dott Cochran (already a big kid)

FIELD MASTERS

-Katie Hall (Duncan Patterson)

-Amy Hall (Gary Kennedy)

KENNELMAN

-Ella Brophy

Hound Truck

-Connor & Arilyn Kennedy (Karen Kennedy)

*Special thank you to Trina Hatfield for explaining the different jobs of the staff, and keeping all the kids safe, and happy while learning about fox hunting.

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:30pm

At our 2010 River Hills Hunt ball Savannah Hatfield's mom and dad bought for her the 'Huntsman For The Day' package which included, her name as the fifth Huntsman which was engraved on the hunting horn, and she got the privilege to hunt the River Hills Foxhounds.

On top of our 'Huntsman For The Day', we opened the day to a 'Children's Hunt' including kids on lead lines, to kids who where whipping-in, and leading our first and second field. It was such a great way to incorporate our love of foxhunting with teaching the kids the jobs involved with hunting the hounds, creating safe hunting for those who follow along, and explaining how hounds work.

Despite any nerves 12 year old Savannah may have had going into this big day, she was able to pull together a terrific hunt, and managed to keep a smile from beginning to end.

Savannah who is in the 7th grade, also enjoys playing softball, snowboarding, tennis, and is hoping to do track and field in spring if she can work around softball! She also tells us that horses have been in her life forever but have only been SERIOUSLY riding for about three years.

Savannah's huntsman's horse was Grane and she remarked that, 'She (Grane) handled the job wonderfully' and with a smile added that, 'Grane could not have been better'.

Although Savannah said that she herself was very nervous, she added that, 'It was also very fun, difficult and easy all at the same time because you try not to mess up but... you can not be perfect!'

Even though she says she did not see the fox, she leaves us with these words of wisdom in regards to anyone thinking about trying to be Huntsman For The Day, 'It was a very awesome experience, but do not Skye yourself out and just be yourself like it is just another hunt, but only a bit different, ha ha'

With Savannah on the horn we were able to run three foxes and put two to ground. The hounds listened and were excited to work for her, especially after she was able to take the hounds to their first fox.

Words From The Field Masters:

Katie Hall - (First Field)
'Duncan told me that the field masters job is to ensure the safety of the followers and to also keep an organized hunt, while keeping it totally fun and makes jokes on the way. We had a couple of spills today but we learn from our mistakes. Yee ha!'

Amy Hall - (Second Field)
'Gary was very informative. Trina was a very good Sergeant to the new people. We galloped a lot with some fall offs, but all on accident. Everyone had a good time. Including the lead liners.'
__________________________________________________________

Words From The Whippers-In:

Liam Hodgson - (Fred Von C)
'I rode Mystic. Fred the whip had me tag along and in the beginning there wasn't really much action. In the middle the hounds got on a fox and I got to gallop for what was a long time. Saw a few deer. Someone said the fox was near us, so we stopped to see it. We didn't because it ran past right behind us! I had a great time, and the weather was nice.'

Maseer Bennett - (Priscilla Godsoe)
'I took a major spill but I had a great time. Thank you to Jimmy Paxson and Lezlie Hiner.' -Work To Ride Program Mount: Cholo

John Brophy - (Dr. Carl Mease)
'Had a good hunt today. I had an awesome time whipping-in and hope to try it again. Thank for having me. Tally ho!'

Ella Brophy - (Alyse Kennedy)
'Saw a fox - Tally Ho!! Horse fell down.'
_____________________________________________________________

Words From The Kennelman:

Ella Brophy
'I painted hooves of horses, tacked up, gave hounds water, put horses and pony in trailer, hooked up hounds trailer. Loaded 19 hounds, also called 9 1/2 couple'

_____________________________________________________________

We had a field of over 30 riders, but somehow we missed getting everyone's comments about the hunt, or some where a little too shy, but here are a few,

Words From The Field:

Connor and Arilyn Kennedy
'First Hunt! Rode Spice.'

Sheiree Harris - Work To Ride Mount- Jennie
'I had a great time. Thank you Jimmy Paxson.'

Luca Micolucci
'Got to ride my father's best polo pony Macarena.'

Shariah Harris - Work To Ride Mount- Strawberry
'I had a great time, thank you Jimmy Paxson.'

Marc Harris - Work To Ride Mount- TJ
'Had a grerat time. Thank you.'
_______________________________________________________

And this last video might just sum up a great day!

Thanksgiving Biscuits

2010-11-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Well.. it was too rainy and wet, along with a mixture of some sleet, so, our Thanksgiving Hunt was canceled. I suppose.. all for the best.

With my mom - Laura, and two sisters - Lynden and Maggie, here with me for the week from New Hampshire, we decided to go out to the kennels and help 'bed up' the hound beds and bunks, help wash the kennels and give out some Thanksgiving biscuits.

We had fun bedding up the hound beds. They roll around, and get covered in the grass hay, and then build little nests. The older hounds make nests and claim them before someone else comes and takes their spot. A wise hound once said, 'A warm dry bed is worth more than a dry biscuit'.

I really enjoyed sharing the hound time with my sisters and telling them the hounds names, and different things about each one. Drumore and Iceman took to Maggie, and Hurry and Ermine took to Lynden. My mom enjoyed seeing the 'H' hounds - she helped to start them as little tiny puppies.

Now that the hounds are tucked away in their new fresh beds, I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! Looking forward to tomorrow..

Don't Forget:

Friday - Huntsman for the day & Children's Hunt - Down Patrick Meet - 10:00am

Saturday - Red Pump - 10:00am *last meet before our two week break for the rifle deer hunting season.

Day 47 of the Hunting Season - November 24th, 2010

2010-11-25T04:35:00.000-08:00

Day 47 of the Hunting Season - November 24th, 2010

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the 40's

Couples: 17 1/2 Couples Puppies *Kirkwood and Kiki

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dott Cochran, Field Master - Duncan Patterson, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 9:00am
End: 11:30am

We had a bit of a slow start. Hounds worked through the woods around Pierson's, Jim's Barn and the Stump Woods all before getting anything very strong. Heading into the Park from Jim's Clear Woods the hounds hit a line towards the Junk Yard.

Hoppy saw the fox heading down the trail from the Junk Yard towards the Swamp/Mud Hole. Hounds had a little trouble picking up the line in the open since it was rather windy.

I was standing near the Mystery Hole and could here them coming closer and closer. I didn't see the fox cross the path I was on but he must have, because out popped Dawn, Diana, Earl,Deacon, Drummer and the two puppies, all running the fox really strong to the trail then they hit a miss. Since I knew the fox hadn't past me I walked through the hounds and helped them on towards the little stream below the Mystery Hole in hopes they would pick the line back up.

Earl found it on McPherson Lake side of the little stream. I was very proud of Earl, and more excited to see all the hounds instantly 'hark' on to him. At this point I counted 12 couples as they headed along the little stream in the direction of Jim's Woods.

The hounds were cruising through the woods. Deacon was on front now. As they came up off the stream bead at Jim's Driveway the hit a miss out in the open where the scenting was harder in the wind. As they all worked together they were able to take the line across Jim's driveway, up past the white house and towards the power lines behind Ed's house.

I called the back hounds on and then galloped up the drive towards the cattle field and the power lines to find the hounds already across and heading into Pierson's Woods. Again they had a little trouble, they worked over a few logs and along the banks near the two ponds. At this point the field and MFH Jimmy had caught up.

I went out the top coop in the direction of the Church/Grave Yard. Hounds ran out into Pierson's Fallow Field and into the woods below the Church/Grave Yard, more in the direction of the Animal Kingdom. I was sitting in the Grave Yard (well, more on the path - not actually on top of anyone) and ever so quietly the little fox slipped out of the grassy overgrown area near the Graveyard and went right back towards the meet. Hounds were right behind him but he was able to get a good ways out in front of him because the hounds had a little trouble moving the line across the open field again.

Hounds took the line stronger in the Fallow Field, to the right, through a hole in the fence by the coop, and back across the cow pasture at the meet, towards the pine trees and then charging across to the Stump Woods where they put him to ground (see video of MFH Jimmy blowing the fox to ground)

Good days hunt!

Next Meet: Thanksgiving Hunt at Funnel Lake - 10:00am

**Don't forget**
Friday - HUNTSMAN FOR THE DAY AND CHILDREN'S HUNT @ Down Patrick - 10:00am
Saturday - Red Pump - 10:00am - this will be our last hunt before the two weeks we take off for the rifle season of deer hunting.

THE HUNTING GODS WERE WITH US - Day 46 of the Hunting Season - November 22nd, 2010

2010-11-23T04:51:00.000-08:00

Day 46 of the Hunting Season - November 22nd, 2010

Meet: Ankrum's Dog Box

Temps: in the 40's

Couples: 21 1/2 Couples (JCP & LE Kennels) Puppies *Keno and Kiki

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Fred Von C, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 9:00am
End: 10:30am

Twas a hunt of rather epic proportions and as our MFH Jim Paxson would add, "The hunting god's were with us".

I believe the weather had a big role in our day leaving the scent to lay fast and strong, and thus giving the hounds 'wings' as if the were flying across the fields and through the woods.

I rode a horse called Willie II (or as Fred calls him Willie Also), and I would say that through all of the hunting season to this point he has managed to be one of our fittest hunt horses at RHF. My reason for stating this, is that I hit the bottom of Willie II after our first - and only run of the day. I cannot recount any time when this has happened to me in all of my hunting seasons.

We started out by casting in towards the Old House and around the Palisades. Fred viewed the fox from the Stone Pile woods headed out across towards the Pipeline... (I do think it is safe to say this was Fred the Fox...but I could be wrong - it has happened once or twice), I do know this much, I got to the Fishing Creek Road, and didn't stop galloping until I got to the crossing where you can get up towards Gibson's and Ankrums little streams. I had to make a call, and as a whip you run this risk, be wrong and suffer the consequences - which are monumental, or be right and hope like heck all the hounds are there or acounted for before the Master gets there!

Hounds were coming off the meet side, heading straight down towards the little stream, and right straight back up the other side toward the cornfield at Doug's. I listened for a second to see if they were going to run high along the river, or was the fox going to head back towards the Bone Woods??? All I knew was that we had 21 1/2 couple of hounds running and I heard them and them I heard them leaving my direction the other way. Its hard to express the country we were hunting unless you've seen it or hunted it, but basically its a winding ravine and if the hounds get to one side of it you cannot hear them, and you can lose them, very fast!

So, I was given two options.. a: continue down the Fishing Creek Road in hopes the hounds didn't head out across Gibson's towards the park, or b: go up the path and just stay with the hounds and hope to god that we didn't go where ever we didn't plan on hunting that day (Deer hunting season is going to start next week - we were hoping to not go to the park, and not go across the Fishing Creek Rd... it is now safe to say, we did accomplish to not do one of those 'Do Nots' which was, we didn't go to the park... crossing the road - yes we did that!) To add to the decision process, I was the only one with the hounds, so, no one else was going to be catching up very fast either way.

I galloped up towards Dougs and I saw the hounds across the cornfield and heading towards Sinclair's, it wasn't until I got to the next cornfield behind Dougs that I saw the hounds had gone parallel of the Fern Glen Rd and and dropped down in the woods toward the Murder House. I knew what this meant... and I was pretty much panicked. Actually I was totally panicked. I was the only one with the hounds and I had managed to let the hound drop to the road and I couldn't get there fast enough to do anything. Its really hard to make the call on the radio and say, 'The hounds have crossed the road and are heading towards ... '

Oh... yes, for those who were out, this part, which is only now funny - In my little panic state I had managed to confuse my road names saying we were headed towards Scalpy Hollow Rd (total and complete opposite direction - Note to anyone every wanting follow in the joys of whipping-in, Whips are not allowed to be wrong.. not so much as once, ha ha). So, Scalpy Hollow was actually Harmony Ridge, either way, which ever road, I knew that as fast as I was going on my horse to catch up to the hounds, it was just that, I was only catching up, and not actually getting in a position to do anything. Not a good feeling.

The hounds had run from Gibson's, to the Murder House, up the Pine Tree Side of the Power Lines and thankfully took a bend towards the Loop and Montana Ridge. At this point I was on Harmony Ridge, I was not going to let a single four legged creature cross that road and head towards Benton Hollow and beyond. MFH Jimmy, Fred, Gary, and Al were along the Fishing Creek trying to listen through the echos and try to figure out where the hounds might go next.

I dropped in off of the Harmony Ridge Rd towards Herr's Point, I couldn't hear a thing... nodda.

MFH Jimmy was, to say in a way as to not over exaggerate, ready to sit down, put his head in his hands, and quite possibly need a glass of Jack Daniels in order to start to feel better because for a good 15+ minutes we had manged to completely lose all 21 1/2 hounds. With the Thanksgiving and Children's Hunt coming up, it was going to be rather embarrassing to have to announce that we were going to have to cancel, why.. because we lost all the River Hills Foxhounds. MFH Jimmy was starting to mumble on the radio, Gary, Fred and I started to realize we had better see or hear a hound quick or we might as well pitch tents because we were going to be pulling an all nighter finding hounds along the Fishing Creek. Also as a side note: I was suppose to leave that afternoon for New Hampshire, and I was also running thoughts through my head - how do i call my family and say I'm not coming because I lost all the hounds?

Fred thought he heard or saw hounds near the stone pile, and how he go up to the stone pile was beyond me, I was sitting on the Herr's Point Side listening when I saw Fred go cantering out across the field and found the lead hounds full speed ahead going into the Bone Woods, practically back at the meet. What joy. You know if you find lead hounds, the middle and back hounds will eventually meet up at that point as well.

If you could visualize the terrain and know that where I was and where Fred was, was a pretty big span of area. However, if you happened to be a bird you would have been fine, but in my case had to come down from the ridge I was on, cross the Fishing Creek, and go back up the other side. Putting two and two together I was making an assumption that the fox was going to head back towards the covert we originally pushed him out of, so I swung wide and came up by Adam's side and headed around the old house and back in towards Sam's and the Bone Woods (a part of my swinging wide was fear of running into MFH Jimmy and not having anything to be able to tell him that would have been comforting or assuring)

MFH Jimmy, Gary, and Al were at the Dog Box, and were able to get the hounds up to the horn. I was at the end of the Bone Woods and from my view it looked like a lot of hounds were coming to him. I rode around and to all of our amazement, astonishment, and disbelief, every single hound was there. The hounds were tickled with themselves, they had ran so fast and so strong, and they knew they had worked together as a pack. Personally, I found two things completely amazing a: Audry was with us and b: Keno and Kiki had kept up! I don't really know how that's possible... but they did and that's all that matters. I guess it really proves that the Pen Marydels have a lot of heart.

Sometimes people will say Pen Marydels aren't fast, now I have never been one to say this, but it has been said. But, let me tell you this Mr. Nay Sayer, when your riding a fit thoroughbred, your eyes are watering at a full gallop and you still cant keep up, then you my friend are riding to the wrong pack of Pen Marydel Foxhounds, because if your going to head out with us - hold on to your hat and get read to ride!

Next Meet: WEDNESDAY - Herr's Stone Lane - 9:00am

Day 45 of the Hunting Season - November 20th, 2010

2010-11-23T04:21:00.000-08:00

Day 45 of the Hunting Season - November 20th, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the 50's

Couples: 19 Couples (JCP & LE Kennels) Puppies *Kirkwood and Kiki

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Dr. Carl Mease, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:ishpm

Good day.

We started by going out of the meet towards the Bamboo Forrest where the hounds were picking up an old line here and there. MFH Jimmy let the hounds work through the leaves and over the logs for a while as the hounds took us along Hogs Rn and out towards the cornfield.

We definitely knew that if we got closer to the fox the hounds would definitely run!

And run they did... MFH Jimmy pressed on and took the hounds from the deer stand around the loop towards the Highland Cattle and not much to my surprise the fox bolted out of the briers from Holy View and went straight along the fence line in the direction of the Mouse House.

The fox went left handed at the end of the fence row, but dropped down toward the river and made a quick right and took the hounds toward the point at a pretty good clip. The fox ran the river bed and bank from the point around towards the Amphitheater and headed out the the Amphitheater woods (here is when Karen viewed him) straight towards the second deer stand where he went to ground in the ravine along the Lee's Bridge Rd.

MFH Jimmy blew the fox in. From here we decided that we would go back towards the Highland Cattle, and back along the river to see if the River fox was home... I think he had been around the night before, but not home at the time we were there. MFH Jimmy picked up the hounds and we went to the woods with the two coops since we hadn't hunted there yet, and the hound still were hit and miss on all the dead. fallen leaves, and we hunted our way back to the meet.

We covered just about all of Red Pump, and had a pretty good go of the regular foxes that play with our hounds.

Next Meet: MONDAY - Ankrum's Dog Box - 9:00am

Day 44 of the Hunting Season - November 19th, 2010

2010-11-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

Day 44 of the Hunting Season - November 19th, 2010

Meet: Wiles

Temps: in the 40's

Couples: 12 Couples

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Fred Von C, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 9:00am
End: 11:isham

It was good to get back at Wiles for the first time this season. To me, hunting at Wiles was like listening to an old song you loved on the radio. You remember the tune, and pretty much remember all the words and how everything usually plays out. The only 'set back' if you want to call it that right now, is that we know where the trails are to get around at Wiles, they just aren't as clear as they could be along the bottom section.. however.. its a perfect foxy dwelling.

We started off from the meet towards the woods to the right of the meet and the hounds dropped into the woods and over the creek towards the Produce Farm. Two foxes came out of the woods and we decided to run the fox that headed away from the road.

The fox ran across the cornfield back to the area around meet and then went toward the wheat field.. from here we went toward the Ram and the hounds worked a line slowly along the bottom until the hounds must have slipped up closer to the fox because the hounds let loose!

They ran from the Ram towards the Saw Mill and the Chicken Farm. MFH Jimmy, Fred, Gary, and Al all viewed the fox at this point. The fox ran back into the big brier patch toward the bank at Wiles and across the pipe at School House Rd, and made this loop bigger, and smaller, and then bigger again. Hounds ran hard for a good hour and a half until we decided as the hit a miss, we should probably head in and save them for hunting tomorrow at Red Pump.

It was a day full of great hound work, and a most enjoyable fox!

We will meet Saturday at RED PUMP at 10:00am
http://www.rhfpa.com

Trail Clearing-Making at RED PUMP November 17th, 2010

2010-11-19T16:47:00.000-08:00

The Red Pump Project

Start: 9:00am
End: 2:30pm

Helpers: Jim Herr, Jimmy Paxson, Gary Kennedy, Priscilla Godsoe

Job: Clear new trails to the Bamboo Forrest, across to the pond, and down to and across Hog's Run, and made a path from the old barn foundation to the cornfield...

New trail names:

Louis Lane - Start at the corn field to the Bamboo Forrest

Pond View - Off of Louis Lane to the left and over looks the pond

We also cleared the old, over grown trail that runs from the Bamboo Forrest to the crossing below the pond.

Mission Accomplished!

Day 43 of the Hunting Season - November 15th, 2010

2010-11-15T17:46:00.000-08:00

Day 43 of the Hunting Season - November 15th, 2010

Meet: Funnel Lake

Temps: in the 50's

Couples: 22 1/2 Couples *including 5, eight month old puppies: Kay, Kiki, Kent, Kane, and Kirkwood

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Fred Von C, Dott Cochran, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 9:00am
End: 11:isham

It was a pretty foggy, overcast day and I thought the scenting would be a little bit better, actually I was hoping for a flat out crazy day, ha ha, that didn't happen for me... I was on the slow side of the hunt. I did get to hear the hounds running but there wasn't much action on my side. I guess it was good to teach my horse (JB - my show pony)what foxhunting is all about.. patience, standing still, and listening to the hounds!

To take a few lines from a book I am re-reading " Foxhunting is the grand opera of hunting. Mother Nature is the stage manager; baying hounds and hunting horns are the orchestra; pack and prey are the actors. Huntsman and horses - in front-row seats - make up the audience... Every performance is unique, no show is ever repeated." - Whipper-In by Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Foster Ex-MFH

Hounds ran well, sounded great, and foxes were viewed by Hoppy and Fred on the Amish Sides.

Best thing I know is to listen to the video... that will tell a better story

Day 42 of Hunting - Joint Meet with the Warwick Village Hounds

2010-11-14T05:27:00.000-08:00

Day 42 of the Hunting Season - November 13th, 2010

Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: in the 50's

Couples: 22 1/2 Couples Total - Joint Meet

11 couples from River Hills Foxhounds *Including Puppies: Ivan/Issac/Jessie
11 1/2 couples from Warwick Village Hounds (Doc Addis)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson(River Hills), MFH-Doc Addis(Warwick Village), Staff - Priscilla Godsoe(RHF), Hoppy Stearns(RHF), Dr. Carl Mease(RHF), Nina Christiansen(WVH), Ed Gallen(WVH), Mark Powell(WVH), Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:40pm

Foxes! Foxes! Foxes!

We had foxes everywhere, and to the joy of the field and staff, and car followers they were much obliged to play with our hounds today.

We started out by casting out behind the meet and heading up through the old corn field to a small group of trees where sometimes we push out a fox. Hounds picked up where the fox had been, it had to be an old line, it started out pretty spotty through the cornfield and across the driveway. The weather wasn't in our favor today so the hounds had to work very hard to find what scent they could through the leaves and the dry ground.

Hounds worked their way through the covert by the Gibson's House and then moved along the fence line towards Ankrum's. They started to pick up the line again that took us along the Gibson's little stream. MFH Jimmy and Doc, pulled the hounds up over the small ridge and cast the hounds into the Bonewoods. Not everyone knows it but there is a dead spot in the Bonewoods where the scent literally disappears.

Poof! Gone! Adios!

Hounds worked really quiet as they came through the dead spot and then lit up again when they worked into the briers. Hounds sounded great as they headed back towards the little ridge in the woods at Gibson's but the fox reversed back crossed the Ankrum's little stream and worked up along the pipeline in the direction of the Fishing Creek Road.

MFH Doc went into the woods with the hounds along the pipeline as they worked toward the flat, and TALLY HO!, MFH Jimmy and Jim Herr viewed the fox coming out from the flat and heading toward the stone pile, he stopped and ran straight back on his line, went along the wheat and went along the old fence line and the brier patch near the pipeline. Hounds at this point were still in the woods running along the flat when the field view another fox that came out from the stone pile and then went back into the woods.

Hounds continued on their fox that took them along the Palisades and up through the little ravine that takes you to the Spring and the Old House. MFH Leo and Flora view another fox as they were sitting in their truck, this fox went up the lane by the old house and into the briers there.

I was on the right side of the hounds as they were running between the Old House and Adam's when out popped another fox from the Furness Road side and he went in the direction of the hounds, heard them them running and drifted off a bit towards the Ankrums Meet. At this time, the field viewed again, a fox that came out from the Old House, and straight back towards the Stone Pile.

At this point in time everyone was sitting tight and trying to stay put so as to not mess up the hounds who 'had their paws full' trying to stay on the line of the hunted fox. To all of our amazement the hounds were working together fantastically, stayed tight together and ran the fox all the way back to the Stone Pile. Here they hit a bit of a miss in the heavy briers.

MFH Jimmy got off his horse and jumped into the thick of things with the hounds and helped them work everything through by encouraging them to keep plugging their way through the windfall and briers. Hounds managed to work through a lot easier than MFH Jimmy and MFH Doc took the hounds on as the came out of the briers and they went up across the wheat and back onto the Pipeline, dropped down by the Chicken Feathers, crossed the little stream and 43 hounds came charging up the hill on the meet side.

As they came out to the corn field Ivan and Issac had carried it really strong but they all hit a miss out in the field. Little Cyndy and a white bitch of Docs kept inching and inching their way back onto the line that seemed to have vanished in the warm sunny field. The two girls in perfect timing opened up and all the hounds harked on to them and dropped into the horse shoe below Doug's.

Whipper-in Carl was on the road as the hounds stayed pretty low along the Fishing Creek. I went out around the back cornfield at Dougs to watch 'Sinclair's' Fox lope along the cornfield from the Boot Hill Cemetery, moseyed along the towards the woods line and then went out of my view. I thought that the hounds were going to come out on Sinclair's fox but the Whipper-in with Carl viewed a fox that crossed the road in a red flash as hounds were no more than 200 feet behind him. Sadly, we had to pull the hounds up because we didn't want to cross onto the other side this close to the deer season and upset any hunters. All of us our governed by the same rules for hunting. Respect to all is key! *even if the hounds are smoking.

So, the hounds were sent up from the bottom and MFH Doc put the hounds on the fox that I viewed. Hounds had a little trouble working the line through the cornfield but once they got into the shade of the woods they were flying again. It sounded beautiful! Hounds ran the fox into and huge compost pile of branches and grass clipping and small logs. We got the hounds out of there quickly because we didn't want to harm the fox, he obviously wanted to get away at this point, and we definitely wanted to make sure he would be out to play another day.

No sooner did we pull the hounds out of there they picked up another line that took them along the Fern Glen Road and up behind the new house right behind the meet. Hounds hit a miss out of the woods and that's when everyone decided.. 'We are back at the meet, we have all the hounds, its been a great day...let go in.'

RHF and WVH had a great spread of food and drink and Little John played his fiddle for us. It was a great way to sit, relax and talk about todays hunt, and old hunting stories from both hunts.

It truly was a great day - one to be remember.

Day 41 of the Hunting Season - November 12th, 2010

2010-11-12T15:52:00.000-08:00

Day 41 of the Hunting Season - November 12th, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the 40's

Couples: 19 1/2 couples
*including a 1 1/2 couples of 8 month old 'K' puppies - Kiki & Kirkwood & Keno

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Fred VonC, Dott Cochran Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 9:00am
End: 11:40am

We had a really fun day today. A lot of good views, and foxes afoot.

We went straight into the Red Pump road covert and were hit and miss for a while until they got into the woods along Lees Bridge where they were able to move up on a fox that went towards the Highland cattle and then back toward the ravine and wanted to go way too close the the big bend in the road at Lees Bridge, so, we had to stop them and move up off the road. Not long after that we push the 'River Fox', a deep red and grey-ish colored fox, out of Holy View towards the coop and the river at along the mouse house. He gave us a good run that wrapped around the big bank across from the mouse house and then to the point and right along the river in the direction of the amphitheater.

Karen viewed the River Fox head towards the second deer stand across the corn field and in the direction of the ravine where he would end up going to ground.

MFH Jimmy took the hounds toward the bridge abutment and we hunted towards Hogs Run. We picked up another fox (which Dott viewed) from the pine trees near the coop, ran it along the bottom of Hogs Run and the path that takes you to the pond. Dott saw him go toward the Junk Yard, which he did go towards but ended up bending towards Devines and then through the woods towards the Bamboo Forrest. I went out towards Lee Bridge in case anything crossed, so I'm not sure what happened because the ran the fox really strong but then lost in the woods and the leaves. Who knows?!

We went in from there. Good day!

Hounds are working together better and stronger every time out. Its a really exciting pack of hounds, and a whole new beginning of hound work with the 13 puppies.

SATURDAY: Joint Meet with the Warwick Village Hounds (Doc Addis) at the Down Patrick Meet at 10:00am

Day 40 of the Hunting Season - November 10th, 2010

2010-11-12T15:39:00.000-08:00

Day 40 of the Hunting Season - November 10th, 2010

Meet: Funnel Lake

Temps: in the high 40's

Couples: 21 couples
*including a couple of 8 month old 'K' puppies - Kiki & Kent

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dr. Carl Mease, Dott Cochran Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 8:30am
End: 10:40am

Nice morning out and about the 'river hills'!

We had a good run on the Amish side of the river. Hounds were really strong heading toward the Township Woods but split of two foxes, one headed in the direction of the covered bridge and the other went to complete opposite direction towards the Red Barn (not young Herr's red barn). The group that went towards the red barn out their fox to ground and Dott and Hoppy picked up the hounds and brought them back to the other group that we picked up after they hit a miss across the stream near the bridge.

MFH Jimmy put the hounds back to work towards "Chicken Sam's" and they quickly got a fox (which Dott viewed running along the path and the river in the direction of the Horse Shoe). ALL of the hounds ran the line to the river where they dead stopped at a log the stretched a good 20 feet across the river, and was about 6 feet high from the stream... Journey a puppy, had his nose down and kept going across the log but fell off into the water! His nose was working faster than his feet. Aurora, mom to some of the pups, went across the log to show the pups how it was done... and if that wasn't good enough, she double checked the line once she got to the other side and went all the way back again!

Devon, Cyndy, and some H's also followed carefully along. We all held our breath as they basically tight roped their way across the river. Such a cool sight to see. I tired to get video of it but I just wasn't close enough. MFH Jimmy went into the river with his house and helped to move the hounds up so the all didn't navigate the log. We picked up the line again and headed in the direction of the stone pile.

We decided as the hounds hit a miss and were headed back in the direction of the ground we just hunted that we would pick them up and head back to the meet.

Good day :-)

Day 39 of the Hunting Season - November 8th, 2010

2010-11-08T17:27:00.000-08:00

Day 39 of the Hunting Season - November 8th, 2010

Meet: Ankrum's Dog Box

Temps: in the 40's

Couples: 17 1/2 couples
*including a couple of 8 month old 'K' puppies - Keno & Kane

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Fred VonC Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 8:30am
End: 10:40am

okay.. it was a bit chilly.. and with newly clipped horses, everything seemed a bit 'fresh' ha-ha.

I whipped-in off the Fishing Creek Road which was pretty nice because it was not so windy but it had its costs because I was the only one that didn't get to view the fox today. O well.. I was able to hear hounds!

'Fred's Fox' did well by us, and I think we are going to call the fox that runs with 'Fred's Fox', Cyndy... hopefully that one is a girl so that works?!

We had a good day, worked from the meet toward the Old House, wrapped around the bottom toward the Flat, and the Pipeline, and then on toward the Bone Woods were the foxes popped out and headed all the way across the open fields and towards the Stone Pile.

Our foxy friend went to ground on the steep banks of the Palisades. MFH Jimmy picked up the hounds and we went in from there. We had pretty much hunted everything on the side of the meet so we called it a day.

Next Meet:

Wednesday - Funnel Lake - 8:30am - Tally HO!!

Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Races - November 7th, 2010

2010-11-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

River Hills Staff:

MFH James C. Paxson

MFH Gregory T. Paxson

Priscilla Godsoe

Lindsay Jones

Kelly Conner

Hoppy Stearns

Dr. Carl Mease

http://sidelinesnews.com/blogs/chasin/2010/11/08/patriots-path-and-the-holy-grail-the-pennsylvania-hunt-cup-unionville-pa-november-7-2010/

We will be hunting tomorrow!

Monday morning at 8:30AM - Ankrum's Dog Box

Day 38 of the Hunting Season - November 6th, 2010

2010-11-08T16:45:00.000-08:00

Day 38 of the Hunting Season - November 6th, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the low 50's

Couples: 21 1/2 couples
*including a couple of 8 month old 'K' puppies - Kalev & Kirkwood
Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dott Cochran, Dr. Carl Mease, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, and Leo Erb

Start: 10:30am
End: 1:??pm

We had a nice day. Very beautiful countryside views and a great pack of hounds to follow.

We covered just about all of Red Pump, including the Holy View and Hog's Run Side.

We had a good run from the Hogs Run Side, into the big corn field at the meet and then we put the fox to ground at Hotel California.

From here we moved across toward the Stone Pile, across Red Pump Road, and up in the direction of the first Deer Stand. It was a little slow working along the top side of the Ravine between the two deer stands and along toward Holy View. Out in the cornfield across from the Highland Cattle we picked up a line which took up towards the banks at the Mouse House and toward The Point and the Amphitheater. Daniel took a lead out on front of the pack out of the woods before you get the the woods with the two coops and headed straight out toward the second deer stand dropping into the ravine.

Hounds worked the bank pretty good when they hit a miss on all the leaves but picked it up strong headed straight toward Lees Bridge Rd... bummer! Dotty had to call them up off the road and I was able to get on the horn and bring the hounds up to MFH Jimmy and Jim Herr. Its always a cool feeling when all the hounds stop what they are doing and come with you.

So, from here.. we re-grouped and hunted toward the meet.

Sunday: we will be outriding at the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup
Gates open at 11:00am - First Races at 12:30pm

Day 37 of the Hunting Season - November 3rd, 2010

2010-11-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

Day 36 of the Hunting Season - November 3rd, 2010

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the low 40's

Couples: 21 1/2 couples
*including a couple of 8 month old 'K' puppies - Kalev & Kane

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dott Cochran (4x4), Field Master, Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 8:30am
End: 10:29am

We had a pretty good day after the frost 'burnt off'... but it was pretty tough going at first.

We went by way of Pierson's woods, wrapped around toward the Park Road, and up towards the ponds... from here we headed towards the Horse Pasture, and out through the Cow Fields and in the direction of West Ridge. The frost was still a bit heavy but we started to get closer to the fox and in the woods had a few good runs around the Old Barn Foundation and the Stump Woods.

We headed toward Jim's Ring and picked up another line towards Jim's House, but poof! I have no idea what happened, perhaps aliens picked up our little red friend? I don't know.

Cheers for now!

Day 36 of Hunting - November 1st, 2010

2010-11-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

Day 36 of the Hunting Season - November 1st, 2010

Meet: Funnel Lake

Temps: in the low 40's

Couples: 21 1/2 couples
*including a couple of 8 month old 'K' puppies - Keno & Kirkwood

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Fred VonC, Hoppy Stearns, Hound Trucks - Lynn Hart and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 8:30am
End: 10:29am

We had a really nice morning at the Funnel Lake meet. Right as we started into the first covert we pushed out a brilliantly red fox that I viewed for a good while across the Amish fields. The older hounds took their noses through the woods on a different fox that gave us a great run through the 'river hills'. We put him to ground (aka he ran to his hole and said 'we'll play another day').

From here we hit the line of (what I think-not fact ha,ha) the fox I viewed early on. Hounds worked that line pretty well, but I think that fox had also gone in a bit before. After we worked through the woods near the log cabin we headed across Fair View and we got a great fox that went out across the wheat fields at Herrs and it headed towards Pumping Station, paralleling all the way toward the dairy farm and Springdale where the fox went to ground along the bank. The hounds sounded great and the puppies kept up! (amazing)

Hounds and MFH Jimmy went towards home and I flanked them along the road, so I'm not sure where or how the picked up the next line coming in, but it worked the hounds back in the direction of the meet. When they hit a miss we picked them up and headed in.

Next meet: Herr's Stone Lane at 8:30am - New calender is posted www.rhfpa.com

Day 35 of Hunting - Opening Day - October 30th, 2010

2010-10-31T06:02:00.000-07:00

Day 35 of the Hunting Season - October 30th, 2010

Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: in the 40's

Couples: 22 couples

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Dott Cochran, Priscilla Godsoe, Fred VonC, Carl Mease, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master Duncan Patterson, Gary Kennedy,Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 11:00am
End: 2:ish

Today was our Opening Day or first day of the 'Formal' hunting season.
The RH foxhounds and horses were all fit and ready coming out of the cubbing season where they had made it out 34 times. Opening Day was the prefect way to showcase the hound's great hunting noses, incredible speed, ability of forty-four hounds working as a pack and sticking together.

Everyone out for Opening Day were witness to the strength of the hounds, navigating fields and streams, cliffs, and ravines following the Wiley little red fox who gave us great runs and views on this beautiful, brisk afternoon.

Following hunting we were all welcomed to the Gibson's 'Pigery' for food and drink. The hunt today was a great success and the camaraderie after the hunt is priceless. Those involved with River Hills were all smiles today, knowing that today would be a great start to an exciting 2010-11 season.. Yeeha!

Great Read! MFH Jimmy & Ilion

2010-10-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

CLICK ON THE BELOW LINK
The ‘heart’ to jump 7 foot walls

PA Hunt Night - Oct 18th, 2010

2010-10-25T17:52:00.000-07:00
Two Teams went to Represent River Hills Foxhounds at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg

Team One
Gregory Paxson
Wilson King
John Brophy

Team Two
Kelly Conner
Shawndell Reisler
Ella Brophy

Results:

FIELD HUNTER OVER 35
6 1166 EVEN SMARTER - bay gelding 2002
River Hills Kelly Connor

GENTLEMAN'S HUNTER UNDER SADDLE
6 1163 WHO - gray gelding 2004
River Hills Gregory Paxson

7 1164 CALYPSO - gray gelding 2001
River Hills Wilson King

CONGRATULATIONS!

Day 34 of Cubbing

2010-10-25T17:32:00.000-07:00

Day 34 of Cubbing - October 25th, 2010

Meet: Funnel Lake

Temps: in the high 60's

Couples: 21 couples *took Kalev - 8 month old puppy for his first hunt

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Dott Cochran, Fred Von C, Field Master Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 8:30am
End: 10:isham

For me today was pretty cool because we started one of the nine 'K' puppies - Kalev. He was extremely happy to be out there hunting with the 'big dogs', and was so excited to get his little nose down to the ground and see what everyone was up to. It was a great day for smelling fox for the little guy and he was able to keep up with the best of them. I was really proud of him. Now he just need to learn to stay with MFH Jimmy and not think I'm going to pick him up and take him with me. He's no longer a puppy I'm told.

We headed into the deep woods at the Funnel Lake meet and ran a fox up and down the banks and cliffs, and streams and fields. We put three to ground in what we started to call the fox hotel because they all went into the same area of cliff dwelling fox holes.

Good day, and I'm sure one tired puppy!

Day 33 of Cubbing

2010-10-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

Day 33 of Cubbing - October 23rd, 2010

Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: in the 60's

Couples: 20 1/2 couples

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Hoppy Stearns, Field Master Gary Kennedy,Duncan Paterson Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

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

What a fun day! I think just about everyone viewed the fox today... and boy did the hounds have some good runs.

Our first run was in and around Ankrum's barn and woods for several good loops around. This was the first time the field viewed. From the Dog Box side we headed over toward the Old Hounds and early on the hounds picked up a line and Saran and I viewed the fox headed under the Old Tires to head across the road.

And that he did... but he ran the road for a long time, all the way from the Old Tires to the Bridge before the Fishing Creek RD. The fox ended up crossing the road by the first pond in the horse field, and heading towards Herr's Point. Because of the deer season we thought it best not to head that way so MFH Jimmy took the hounds toward the big bank in the direction of the Duck Pond.

Saran and I viewed a big, fluffy, red fox mousing at the top of the big bank near Herr's house. He wasn't in much hurry, but he trotted off when he saw us, and pretty soon the hounds where hot on the line... trouble was, he crossed into an Amish mule field and we had to pull the hounds up. The mules were not interested in seeing a pack of hounds going through their field (go look up a YouTube of mules taking care of a mountain lion - instincts kick in).

So MFH Jimmy kept the hounds up off the mule field and took them toward the pavilion by the park. The hounds picked up a line straight up the bank toward the township shed and toward the Furness Rd and then across Adams Field.

We went from the Old House sort of slow and just working, and then hit strong when we came closer to Fred's Fox that Helen and the field viewed near the Dog Box. Karen saw him near the stone pile with the hounds not far off and then he went to ground.

It was a good day, and we hunted in from there.

Diana says.. it was a long day.. I'll drive home now

Day 32 of Cubbing

2010-10-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Day 32 of Cubbing - October 22nd, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the 60's

Couples: 13 couples

Staff:
MFH- Gregory Paxson (MFH Jimmy was sick), Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Sterns Master Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 4:00pm
End: 6:15pm

Fun night hunting... change of Masters with Gregory Paxson filling in for Jimmy who was sick. We only took the 'older' hounds and left the 5 'I' puppies, and 5 'J' puppies at home (they were not happy haha).

MFH Gregory Paxson took the hounds toward the pond, and they picked up an early line along the junk yard side of Hogs Run... from there the hounds worked their way up towards the coop on the Meet Side and out into the corn field where they flew. They took about three or more big loops in the corn, hit a miss on patch of grass into the woods but picked it back up heading toward the junk yard where the fox went to ground.

We picked the hounds up at Hogs Run and went up through Hotel California and towards Red Pump Rd where they hit a line but it was hit and miss until they got near the Bridge Abutment, from there they made a big loop on either side of Red Pump, and then a smaller loop heading back toward the meet.

We picked up the hounds and called it a day... a good day! I think we will keep Gregory, ha-ha

Day 31 of Cubbing

2010-10-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Day 31 of Cubbing - October 20th, 2010

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane
Temps: in the 60's

Couples: 20 1/2 couples

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Sterns Master Gary Kennedy, Duncan Paterson Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 8:30am
End: 11:something

This Wednesday wasn't as 'amazing' as the last time that we were here but it still was not a bad day. I think we got a bit spoiled with a lot of fast runs. Today the hounds had to work through the woods, and I think we were pretty far behind the fox. None the less all went well, and we had fun.

Day 30 of Cubbing

2010-10-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Day 30 of Cubbing - October 18th, 2010

Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: in the 60's

Couples: 20 1/2 couples

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Priscilla Godsoe, Fred VonC Field Master Gary Kennedy,Duncan Paterson Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 8:30am
End: 11:something

What a day! What a fun day too! We started off around the backside of Gibsons and around towards Ankrum's Bone Woods and then across toward the Old House. The hounds were hot and cold all the way towards the Old House and then hit pretty strong as they crossed the road by the Old Tires and took it pretty good along the big bank and woods towards the Duck Pond.

Somewhere in the woods they hit super strong and they were off. 41 hounds just riping through the woods up towards the park, cross the stream and into the Mule Fields. They made several small loops and several big loops and moved a few 'not the hunted' foxes which we viewed. Its good to know the woods are healthy with foxes!

The hounds took us to Scalpy Hollow Rd where we thought we might have to pull them up, but they went along the back side of there fields and took our last run all the way back to the Mill. They hit a miss so we picked everyone up and went across the Furness Rd back to the meet.

It was a great day of hunting, following and listening to hounds.

Next Meet: Herr's Stone Lane on Wednesday at 8:30am

Cubbing - Day 29

2010-10-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Day 29 of Cubbing - October 15th, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the 60's

Couples: 19 1/2 couples

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Fred VonC Field Master Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 4:00pm
End: 6:23pm

Nice night out in the woods. We were off and on with a fox and all around the Holy View Side and along by the road. I'm not sure if anyone viewed but the older hounds kept all the young puppies on track by staying steady and working out some of the old lines they hit through the woods.

We also had cake (thank you Karen) to celebrate MFH Jimmy's Birthday (October 17th), even though he was not so thrill we remembered.

We will not be hunting SATURDAY - first day of the black powder deer hunting season

We will be hunting MONDAY at Down Patrick at 8:30am

River Hills will be represented at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show for Hunt Night.
Team One: Gregory/Wilson/John
Team Two: Kelly/Shawndell/Ella
Good Luck!

Cubbing - October 13th, 2010

2010-10-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

Day 28 of Cubbing - October 13th, 2010

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the 60's

Couples: 19 1/2 couples

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran,Charlie Fleischmann, Field Master Duncan Patterson, Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 8:30am
End: 10:35am

Yeee ha!

What a great day! Hounds got rocking and rolling and took us from the stream in Barkers woods, through Jims Clear Woods, around the old house and through the Bone Woods, up toward Jims Pasture, flying across the Stone Lane, under the Power Lines, into the edge of Peirsons Woods and then across Peirsons Over Grown Field, into the woods below the Cemetery, toward 'The Animal Kingdom' and the fox went to ground!

Phew what a great run!

The hounds touched on a bit before that but that run was really great. The most exciting part to me was being near the hole and seeing all 39 hounds there as a group.. its really great to see them all working together and trusting one another.

On a side note: as I was whipping today I came up through the Cemetery, and thank goodness I decided to go right instead of straight over this hill to speed up my short cut to get to the hounds before they got to Freemont Road... When I crested the hill I saw that someone was getting 'planted' this day.

There were four guys watching me ride through the back end of the Cemetery, they heard the hounds but where not expecting me to come popping up over the hill. As it ended up they stopped their 'planting' and came over towards the over grown field near where the fox went to ground and the guys watched the hounds work.

I decided the best thing to do after we moved the hounds back to MFH Jimmy was that I should go talk to the guys at the Cemetery and explain that I wanted to get to the road before all 39 hounds did...

The four guys were all smiles and the first thing they said, before I said a thing, was that they loved to hear the hounds and they were so impressed that the hounds actually ran together not even taking a look at the two deer that were where the fox was put to ground.

I felt pretty proud of our hounds today... and its a good feeling to see people happy, even in a cemetery!

Cubbing - October 11th, 2010

2010-10-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

Day 27 of Cubbing - October 11th, 2010

Meet: Funnel Lake

Temps: in the 70's

Couples: 19 couples JCP Kennels

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

Start: 8:30am
End: 10:45am

What a fantastic day! It did get a little warm for an October morning, but it didn't keep the hounds from running through the 'River Hills'!

Funnel Lake is one of my favorite meets and I was really hoping we would have a good day of hunting. To my luck the hounds picked up a line early on and ran up and down the 'River Hills'. I have to apologize now because there are so many Amish Farms around the Funnel Lake meet that when I'm there, and see the farms I know the names and where I am, but sitting here in bed trying to come up with the names... I just cant remember. I do know that there is such a beautiful landscape of farmland that MFH Jimmy and Leo have kept open for us to hunt by their close relationships with these Amish families. Its very impressive to see so many farm owners that are happy see to us and enjoy hearing the hounds through their woods.

The hounds looped into the woods and went deep into the 'River Hills' ravines or hills, whatever you'd like to call the terrain when you get deep into our country. They came up and down and looped around, and around. It was such a great morning hearing the hounds and watching all of them together.

Next Meet: WEDNESDAY at 8:30am at Herr's Stone Lane

Cubbing - October 8th & 9th 2010

2010-10-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

Day 25 of Cubbing - October 8th, 2010

Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: in the 70's

Couples: 16 couples JCP Kennels

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Fred VonC, Field Master Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 4:00pm
End: 6:32pm

What a beautiful night to be out in the woods with a great pack of hounds. We started out behind the Gibson Farm on the Fern Glen Road side, dropping down toward the hay bales and the two streams hitting off and on as went along. The hounds ran pretty good through the Bone Woods and then moved across to the Old House and then along the Palisades. From there we went along the Flat along the Fishing Creek and made two loops around the same path until we finally put the fox to ground along the Pipeline.

A lot of views!!! Thank Freddie for that.

______________________________________________________________________

Day 26 of Cubbing - October 9th, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the high 60's

Couples: 17 couples JCP Kennels

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Field Master Duncan Patterson, & Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

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

Another fantastic fall morning. We covered just about every part of Holy View an then some. We had a nice fox that was game to play for a while until he went to ground.

Its the perfect time of year so I hope that everyone keeps coming out and enjoying the beauty and sound of our hounds.

Next Meet: Funnel Lake on Monday at 8:30a.m. See ya there!

Bareback Over 5 Foot Wall, trust a TB

2010-10-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Bareback over 5 foot wall, trust a TB

*CLICK ON THE ABOVE LINK*

Day 24 of Cubbing - Oct. 2nd, 2010

2010-10-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

Day 24 of Cubbing - October 2nd, 2010

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the 60's

Couples: 15 couples JCP Kennels

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Field Master Duncan Paterson & Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 1:12pm

What a day... and we needed it!

I dont think anyone was able to view, but we had foxes running circles all over in the beginning. Hounds split once so MFH Jimmy and Hoppy stayed with one group that went toward the mushroom plant, and Dott and I picked up the other group that was heading toward the stone pile and brought them to Jimmys group. Soon after then the fox went to ground on the cliffs near Freemont.

After we picked all the hounds up we headed back to the where Dott and I stopped the hounds... at that point we got too far behind the fox to really run him well. From the Hogs Run side we headed over to Holy View and work the regular draw backwards...but, the River Fox wasnt home... We did get a fox heading back in the direction of the meet, and he gave up a pretty good run. All in all it was a really fun day, and a just perfectly beautiful day as well!

Hopefully we will get out Wednesday Oct. 6th, at Herr's Stone Lane at 8:30am

I'm thankful for all this rain... but its getting in the way of hunting haha!

Cubbing Day 23 - September 29th, 2010

2010-09-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Three of Cubbing

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the 60's

Couples: 15 1/2 couples JCP Kennels (all puppies)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Hoppy Sterns, Field Masters -Duncan Patterson & Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 8:30am
End: 10: something am

A bit of a quiet day... not bad but not fantastic. I think I'm waiting for something like an epic run that I can write about... it will come, it will come :-)

We ARE NOT hunting Friday, due all the rain we've been getting.
We WILL go out Saturday!

Cubbing - September 22nd, 2010

2010-09-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-Two of Cubbing

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the high 80's

Couples: 18 couples JCP Kennels (all puppies)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Greg Paxson, Field Masters -Duncan Patterson, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 8:00am
End: 10:16am

Up for a rain dance anyone??

Dry and hot today... I sort of thought these days were behind us. Oh, well..

Hounds were good, tried hard, and ran a good bit considering the weather conditions.

Because the temps are going to be so high the next few days we are going to schedule the next hunt for MONDAY, September 27th, at DOWN PATRICK at 8:00am

Also, with the archery deer season starting off we will not being going out this Saturday as to respect our fellow hunters.

Hound Show-September 19th 2010

2010-09-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Busy day for the River Hills Gang

Greg, Winter, Hoppy, Dott, Gary, and Karen all head to the Kimberton Hound Show with four puppies and 17 other older hounds.

There were hunts from all over the area locally to North Carolina, all showing off there best hounds showing off tight feet, good fit bodies, and the traditional low set Pen-Marydel ears... The show was not looking for who had the best nose, but who the judge would see fit as representing the physical best of the Pen-Marydel breed.

Results:
Couple Dog Unentered: 4th Jacob/Jachim
Couple Dog Entered: 2nd Ivan/Iceman
Coulpe Bitch Entered: 2nd Helen/Heather
Stallion Hound w/ Get: Daniel w/ Ivan/Iceman
Pack Class: 2nd

While the gang was representing the hounds in the show ring, MFH Jimmy and Priscilla were off at Plantation Fields CIC Event representing River Hills in the "Celebrity" Bareback Puissance Class. Priscilla was the only one to challenge 5'3" seen in the below picture. It was a fun time!

After the Puissance, MFH Jimmy and Priscilla headed (with the horses) to the Hound Show to lend a hand in the final classes at the hound show.

All in all we had a great day of representing River Hills!

Yeeeha!

NEXT MEET: WEDNESDAY, September 22nd, 2010, @ Herr's Stone Lane @ 8:00AM

Cubbing - September 20th 2010

2010-09-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty-One of Cubbing

Meet: Down Patrick

Temps: in the low 70's

Couples: 19 couples JCP Kennels (all puppies)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Priscilla Godsoe, Fred VonC, Field Masters - Hoppy Sterns Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 10:00am
End: 12:0pm

Wonderful fall morning. Just beautiful. We've really lucked out in watching the season change this year.

However... I think we are ready for some serious RAIN!!! Please?

Boy it has been dry! I hate to say it but it was a very hard day of hunting. We covered a lot of territory but not much to say about it.

Cant complain about a beautiful day out in the country side though!

*TONIGHT* KIMBERTON WILL HOST THE FRIENDS OF PEN-MARYDEL COCKTAIL PARTY & DINNER @ 6:00pm

*TOMORROW* RIVER HILLS FOXHOUNDS WILL BE SHOWING @ THE KIMBERTON HOUND SHOW
CLASSES START AT 9:00AM

Next Meet: WEDNESDAY, September 22nd, 2010 @ Herr's Stone Lane @ 8:00a.m.

Cubbing - September 18th, 2010

2010-09-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

Day Twenty of Cubbing

Meet: Fox Mill

Temps: in the high 70's

Couples: 15 1/2 couples JCP Kennels

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Priscilla Godsoe, Carl Mease, Field Masters - Hoppy Sterns
Hound Truck - Leo & Flora Erb

Start: 5:00pm
End: 7:20 pm

What a beautiful night out for fox hunting! We didn't have any great runs, but where its was a bit cooler, or along the streams in the damp, then we found places for the hounds to work easier.

After hunting Laura B was kind enough to bring sandwiches and tea!

Next Meet: Saturday September 19th, at Down Patrick @ 10:00am

Cubbing - Sept 15th, 2010

2010-09-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

Day Nineteen of Cubbing

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the high 60's

Couples: 19 couples JCP Kennels (all puppies)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Field Masters - Gary Kennedy, and Duncan Patterson, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 8:00am
End: 10:09am

Nice morning!
Starting to be a bit cooler in the mornings with fall creeping in on us. Its shocking every morning we get out how different the woods and fields begin to look with this new season.

More and more color in the trees, more of the corn is getting picked or nearly ready, soy beans are turning a yellowish brown, and there is a very distinct smell of fall in the air.

To add to the beauty... we let out the hounds! You really can't ask for a better way to start the day!

This morning started with a nice run into the woods by Hotel California, and ended up wrapping into the corn fields toward the stone pile, and then back to the single coop on the Hogs Run side where the fox gave us the slip into a log type hole.

From here we crossed Red Pump by the bridge abutment, and made our way toward Holy View, out into the big corn field, down along the river at the Mouse House and of course.. Gary, Dot, and I all at different times, saw the fox... but he (the fox) decided best to cross the road...not such a great time to cross the road with the deer hunting season getting ready to start over there. Maybe Mr. Fox got bored running through the corn, I don't know?

So instead of crossing the road MFH Jimmy took the hounds to the brier patch by Holy View, out through the corn and then dropped down to the hollow and back toward the bank at Octorara Farms (fuzzy cow farm).

All in all we had a good morning. Hounds stayed together nicely, and the puppies still think they know exactly whats going!

Next meet: FRIDAY at FOX MILL at 5:00 P.M.
SATURDAY at DOWN PATRICK at 10:00 A.M

***DONT FORGET!!! KIMBERTON HOUND SHOW this Sunday, September 19th. Our River Hills Foxhounds will be there and showing! So please come join us, lend and hand or just watch and hang out with the gang!

18th Day of Cubbing - Sepember 13th, 2010

2010-09-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Day 18 of Cubbing - September 13th, 2010

Day Eighteen of Cubbing

Meet: Down Patrick (Gibson's)

Temps: in the low 70's

Couples: 18 couples JCP Kennels including all the puppies

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Fred VonC, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 8:00am
End: 10:00ish

Well, the rain dances paid off, there was a good bit of moisture on the ground and it was what we needed to keep the scent going a bit stronger and giving the hounds the opportunity to run longer.

We started off behind the meet heading toward Fern Glen Rd, wrapped around to the Murder House and then up toward the streams between Gibson's and Ankrum's. From here the hounds took up along the flat toward the stone pile, and then up behind the old house and the spring. In the midst of the run, Hoppy saw the fox come out of the covert, then a family of turkeys right behind the fox and then a couple deer.. what a sight! Luckily the hounds and the puppies were able to remember their breeding and continue on. From the old house we went up toward the tank and then around to to bone woods.

Next Meet: Wednesday at Red Pump at 8:00am
Friday at Fox Mill at 5:00pm
Saturday at Down Patrick at 9:00am

Cubbing - September 11th, 2010

2010-09-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

Day Seventeen of Cubbing

Meet: Red Pump

Temps: in the high 70's

Couples: 18 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie, Joaquin, Jewles, Jacob

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Alyse Kennedy Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 9:00am
End: 11:13am

Another good morning! Somehow we were able to go hit and miss and make a good day of hunting out of it. The weather has not been ideal but the hounds worked well by staying together and trusting on another as they moved along through the different areas about the Red Pump Meet.

Next Meet: Down Patrick on Monday at 8:00am

Cubbing - September 10th, 2010

2010-09-12T16:36:00.000-07:00

Day 16 of Cubbing - September 10th, 2010

Day Sixteen of Cubbing

Meet: Mount Rocky

Temps: in the 70's

Couples: 12 1/2 couples JCP Kennels

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Staff - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Greg & Winter Paxson, Fred VonC, Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 5:00p.m
End: 7:00ish

Fun, fun night of hunting, and we were all lucky enough to share the evening with Laura B on her birthday.

Hounds actually had a great night of hunting considering the weather conditions that we've been having lately. Make sure you watch the video clips so you can get a good idea of what I mean!

September 3rd, 4th, and 8th, 2010

2010-09-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

Day 13 of Cubbing - September 3rd, 2010

Day THIRTEEN of Cubbing

Meet: Holy View

Temps: in the High 80's

Couples: 18 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie, Joaquin, Jewles, Jacob

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dott Cochran, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 7:30a.m
End: 9:30a.m.

Pretty good day. Scenting is a struggle. Puppies are understanding how hard hunting really is but they learning fast and working well in the pack.

Day 14 of Cubbing - September 4th, 2010

Meet: Hog's Run Meet

Temps: in the High 80's

Couples: 18 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie, Joaquin, Jewles, Jacob

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dotty Cochran, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 9:00a.m
End: 12:15p.m.

We had a great Saturday hunt! What a beautiful day! Foxes had moved through the different areas we hunted, and we were lucky enough to be able to move up on them a few times. After hunting John brought his fiddle and played, and played for us, and we had a great breakfast!

Day Fifteen of Cubbing

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the High 80's

Couples: 18 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie, Joaquin, Jewles, Jacob

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dotty Cochran, Field Master - Gary Kennedy,Duncan Patterson Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 8:00a.m
End: 10:12a.m.

Well, I think its time to do a rain dance folks! Its getting more and more dry, and scenting is tough! Hounds are really sticking together and working their little tails off!

Next Meet: Friday Evening at 5:00pm at Mount Rocky, and then we will go out again Saturday at Red Pump at 9:00am

Day 12 of Cubbing - September 1st, 2010

2010-09-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Day TWELVE of Cubbing

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane/Nottingham Park

Temps: in the High 80's

Couples: 18 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie, Joaquin, Jewles, Jacob

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Dotty Cochran, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 7:30a.m
End: 9:30a.m.

HOT... very hot today. We managed to move up on some foxes early on but the scent was rising pretty fast which made it harder to keep going.

I took a new horse out to whip off of, his first time ever fox hunting, and he was pretty good. I took a few pictures but didn't chance making a video while jumping logs or galloping along with the hounds.. next time. I'm sure he'll be ready then.

We are planning to go out Friday MORNING at 7:30 am at Holy View and again on Saturday.. we have not picked a meet for Saturday, we have to wait and see what the weather does.

Day 11 of Cubbing - August 30th, 2010

2010-08-31T05:44:00.000-07:00
Day ELEVEN of Cubbing

Meet: Hog's Run

Temps: in the 80's

Couples: 14 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master - Duncan Patterson, and Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 7:30a.m
End: 9:20a.m.

Okay morning. Temps went up pretty fast and with everything being so dry, with little to no morning dew, made scenting a tough thing.

Our field masters Duncan and Gary ran into some personal problems with a nest of bees...

The below picture is of Duncan trying to get some help with stinger removal...

Luckily no one was really hurt, and we all had a good laugh.

MFH Jimmy hunted the hounds off of LaGrange, a 5 year old, thoroughbred who has hunted hounds and whipped in many, many times, but it was him first time back in the hunt field after his summer show schedule in the 5 Year Old Young Jumper Division. Below pictures are of him hunting and at the Devon Horse Show.

We are planning to hunt WEDNESDAY, September 1st, at Herr's Stone Lane, at 7:30a.m.

Day 9 and 10 of Cubbing... August 20th & 21st, 2010

2010-08-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

Day NINE of Cubbing (Evening Hunt)

Meet: Down Patrick (Gibson's)

Temps: in the high 70's/ low 80's to start, then temps dropped fast into the 60's

Couples: 19 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie, Jacob, Joaquin, Jewles

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Carl Mease, Hoppy Sterns, Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master - Duncan Patterson, and Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Cindy VonC and Leo and Flora Erb

Start: 5:00p.m
End: It was dark haha

Slower start while it was hot, MFH Jimmy kept moving the hounds through the woods and along the Fishing Creek. We ended up on 4 good runs, that took us and the hounds til dark.

We had chicken and sodas and desserts after hunting and had an over all great evening hunt. Thank you every one!

Day TEN of Cubbing

Meet: Holy View

Temps: in the 70's

Couples: 13 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: none (hard night Friday)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Carl Mease, Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 9:00a.m
End: noonish

We were way behind a fox and it took us a good hour to get closer and closer so that we could really run him. It was pretty funny the different circles the fox took us and the different logs he took the hounds over and along the river banks and through the corn.

After a long run the night before the hounds really poved they had what it took to keep going and focused on hunting since we were trailing so far behind. Their hard work paid off and we went out with a bang, (not literally) we just ended up good and took them to the river for a swim.

Nice way to start the weekend.

Next Meet: MONDAY - Hogs Run at 7:30am

Day 8 of Cubbing... August 25th, 2010

2010-08-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

Day 8 of Cubbing... August 25th, 2010

Day Eight of Cubbing

Meet:Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the high 60's

Couples: 19 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie, Jacob, Joaquin, Jewles

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Gregory Paxson, Hoppy Sterns, Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 7:00a.m
End: 8:35a.m.

Pretty good day... I'm thinking that the pupppies are getting a bit bold and feeling like they know too much. I saw them up in the front of the pack more then they should have and I think that made scenting a bit harder for the older hounds. They will learn! Thats why they are here :-)

NEXT MEET: Down Patrick (Gibson's) 5:00PM

Day 7 of Cubbing... August 23rd, 2010

2010-08-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Day Seven of Cubbing

Meet: RED PUMP (Hog's Run Side)

Temps: in the high 60's

Couples: 19 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey, Jessie, Jacob, Joaquin, Jewles

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy

Start: 7:00a.m
End: 9:03a.m.

Very great morning.

Started off by going to the right hand part of the woods at the meet and heading in the direction of the pond. It seemed as though the hounds were going to pull towards the coops but Audrey; an older hound, insisted that the line (scent of the fox) went up the drive toward the corn field... she was right and they all harked on (followed the scent she found) to her and then went off through the corn field, near the coop above Hog's Run and then around to the Bridge Abutment.

From there they were blazing and ran the old Red Pump Road up towards the woods with the two coops and in the direction of Holy View. A quick loop back the Fox ran the corn rows and headed for the Second Deer Stand and into the field of corn along Lees Bridge Road (This is when I viewed the fox heading from one corn field across to the other). At this point I headed around to the road side of the corn field, Fred stayed on the Meet Side and said that the hounds ran really strong and then stopped.

MFH Jimmy and myself decided to go and investigate so we went into the corn field and found where the fox had given the hounds the slip by going in his hole. The five puppies did an awesome job on this run, and got a good whiff of what the fox scent smells like.

From here we took the hounds to the river and then hunted back towards the meet.

Great Morning :-)

NEXT HUNT: Herr's Stone Lane @ 7:00a.m

Day 5 & 6 of Cub Hunting - Aug 20th & 21st

2010-08-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Day Five of Cubbing

Meet: Down Patrick (Gibson's)

Temps: in the high 60's

Couples: 17 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey and Jessie(second hunt)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo, & Flora Erb

Start: 7:00a.m
End: I really can't remember...

We started off by heading up through the first corn field by the drive way and bending toward the fence line between Gibson's and Ankrum's. We were hit and miss, so, definitely a fox had been through that night. MFH Jimmy took the hounds through the woods below the 'Dog Box' and let the hounds keep working until they picked up the line (scent of the fox) stronger and stronger as the headed toward the 'Bone Woods' and Ankrum's barns. From where I was by the 'Two Streams' I didn't see what really was going on above me but the hounds ended up coming back in my direction and worked along the bottom where the streams come together from Ankrum's and Gibson's, and worked toward the Fish Creek Road.

I ended up on the Fishing Creek Road and didn't see a whole lot that went on but I did hear everything! That's the beauty of the Pen-Marydels!! So, from what I know the hounds ran the corn by Dougs and skirted the woods around the 'Horse Shoe'.

MFH Jimmy decided to call it a day since it was getting hotter and I came up off the Fishing Creek Road and to my luck I viewed the fox coming from out of the corn headed across the horse pasture at Gibson's House. Because of the heat, we pulled the hounds up as soon as we hit a miss(hounds lost the scent. At this point the hounds will 'cast' themselves out into a circle trying to find the scent again. At the time the hounds are quiet until the find the scent again), let them drink from the pond by Gibson's House and then loaded up.

Good day!

Day Six of Cubbing

Meet: Red Pump (Holy View Side)

Temps: in the low 70's

Couples: 18 1/2 couples(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Jacob, Jaoquin, Jewles(first hunt)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Alyse Kennedy, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master - Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo, & Flora Erb

Start: 7:30a.m
End: 9:00a.m

Started off down the old Red Pump Road and up to the coop on the Holy View side. From there we headed toward the 'Woods With The Two Coops' along the river and up towards Holy View. Hounds worked together well, and the pups were thrilled that they were actually invited along.

When they got up near Holy View they hit a line through the brier patch heading toward the 'Scottish Highland Cattle' and then on along through the bottom strip of corn along the river. They ran from the bottom, literally along the River banks and then up through the woods in the direction of 'The Point' and then out through the big corn field in the direction of Holy View.

After that run we headed around the corn field along the Lees Bridge Road Side toward the 'Deer Stand'. Nothing really picked up until the hounds got into the woods again and up through the wash in the woods toward the 'Fallow Field'. Unfortunately the hounds headed straight toward the big bend on Lees Bridge Road (unsafe to let hounds cross) and I had to stop them and send them back to MFH Jimmy. A bit of a bugger, but oh well. Safety ALWAYS first.

Hounds headed down the path by the single coop near Red Pump, and then we decided to call them in and head back to the meet since it was getting later in the morning. John and Ella help MFH Jimmy call the hounds in by blowing the horn and telling the hounds to 'Pack Up'.

We loaded up and then had donuts, coffee, orange juice, and Cinnamon buns that the Kennedy's brought for everyone and as we had our breakfast John played his fiddle for us! Great morning had by all!

We will be going Monday but I haven't been told when or where... so keep posted!

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK!

Day Four of Cub Hunting 8/18/2010

2010-08-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

Day Four of Cubbing

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the low 70's

Couples: 16 1/2(JCP Kennels) *Puppies: Journey and Jessie(first hunt)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Hoppy Sterns, Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master - Gary Kennedy

CHECK OUT THIS LINK OF THE HOUNDS RUNNING. YOU WILL HAVE TO COPY AND PASTE TO YOUR BROWSER. *** TURN UP YOUR VOLUME!!**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBo-4VG36Jg

Start: 6:40isha.m
End: 8:30isha.m

Note the 'ish' in the start time... Our field master Gary and our whip Hoppy had to do a little 'cattle pushing' before the hunt so we ended up a little off our start time. What good horses huh?

Slow Start on Piersons side and up behind Jims house.

Picked up a line (scent) by the 'Old House' that took us through the 'Stump Woods' and along the pasture line at Jim's then through the 'Clear Woods' in the direction of 'The Park' and the 'Mystery Hole'. Hounds were running very fast and the puppies did a good job keeping up!

I viewed the fox heading back towards 'Barkers Woods' and they ran it through the woods and into the cow pasture, then doubled back into 'Barkers Woods' and through a little creek bed where they hit a miss. Since it was pretty humid and getting hot we picked(stopped the hounds from hunting and moved the hounds to MHF Jimmy) the hounds up and headed towards 'Jim's Pond' to let the hounds have a drink and cool off.

Next Meet 7:00am FRIDAY at Down Patrick (Gibson's) and we are also going SATURDAY at 7:30am at Red Pump (Hog's Run)

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK!

HELPFUL HANDS

2010-08-14T18:25:00.000-07:00

We want to take a special note and thank all of our River Hill Supporters for their HARD work and DEDICATION in opening up our hunting trails and paths. Fixing up jumps and fence lines, and making sure our parking areas are clear and open for the safety of our hounds, horses, and members.

A SINCERE THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOW:

GREG PAXSON
HUNTER STERNS
JIM HERR
Thanking you for removing the fallen trees,opening the trails,
and the many miles of mowing paths around the corn fields
and through the woods around the RED PUMP & STONE LANE MEETS

WILSON KING
Thank you for clearing and maintaining the trails,
jumps, and fields at the MT. ROCKY & FOX MILL MEETS

We are going to try and organize a TRAIL CLEARING for the ANKRUM'S DOG BOX & DOWN PATRICK (GIBSONS) MEETS We will be hunting at Ankrum's Dog Box on MONDAY August 16th, this should help us get an idea of what we will need to take care of the trails this season.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING PLEASE CONTACT MFH Jim PAXSON
Or call 484-667-6187 Or e-mail PAG2886@aol.com

Third Day Cubbing - August 13th, 2010

2010-08-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

Day Three of Cubbing

Meet: Red Pump (HOLY VIEW SIDE)

Temps: in the low 70's

Couples: 15 1/2(JCP Kennels)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Greg Paxson, Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe

Start: 6:30a.m
End: 8:38a.m

Wet start. Cloudy and the air was a bit thick. Scent wasnt the greatest unless you were up closer on the fox.

Fred obviously has been in the right places these days because he view the fox again today.

Next Meet MONDAY MORNING 6:30a.m AT Ankrum's Dog Box

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK!

Second Day Cubbing - August 11th, 2010

2010-08-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Day Two of Cubbing

Meet: Herr's Stone Lane

Temps: in the high 70's

Couples: 15 1/2(JCP Kennels)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Greg Paxson, Fred VonC, Priscilla Godsoe Hound Trucks - Karen and Gary Kennedy, and Rob Meisner

Start: 6:30a.m
End: 8:15a.m

Great morning even though it was rather warm. Hounds ran and worked well together. Hunted toward Peirsons Woods in the direction of the Park Rd, picked up (found the line/scent of a fox) a fox that went back towards the Church and Cemetery towards Freemont Rd.

Fox went to ground (back to his hole). Greg got off his horse and went into the woods to scout out the hole and blew the fox under (blowing under: fox has 'out foxed' the hounds which is a good thing! A call is made on the horn known as 'blowing under' letting the hounds know that the chase is over and they did their best. No harm is done to any animal. Remember OUR fox 'hunting' is the training of foxhounds to pick up a scent and follow it, not for kill!). PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE - www.rhfpa.com - WHAT IS FOX HUNTING? to understand a bit more about what we do.

After our first run Greg and Jimmy picked up the hounds and took them to the spring house on Piersons Side to cool off and get a drink. Then headed back toward the Park Road and hunted the bank towards Ed's pond. Again they picked up (found the line/scent of a fox) another fox, which Fred viewed headed in the direction of the power lines and the woods. It was a shorter run than the first but none the less gave everyone a good schooling over a few coops (jumps built into fence that separate the fields making it easy to navigate through pastures) to catch up to the hounds when they crossed the cow pasture. This fox also went to ground giving the 5 new entry ('I' Puppies) a good smell of fox at the hole(This helps the new entry which at this time is the 'I' Puppies, to understand that the scent of the fox is what we are out there looking for)! MFH JCP blew this fox to ground.

We picked up the hounds and headed down to the pond to give the hounds a drink and a swim and loaded up!

Karen and Gary brought coffee, water, juice and donuts and fresh fruit to get us re hydrated and ready to head home. Many THANKS!

Next Meet FRIDAY MORNING 6:30a.m AT RED PUMP - HOLY VIEW SIDE

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK!

First Day Of Cubbing August 9th, 2010

2010-08-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

Day One of Cubbing

Red Pump Meet

Temps in the 70's

16 Couples(JCP Kennels)

Staff:
MFH- James Paxson, Whips - Fred VonC, Hoppy Sterns, Priscilla Godsoe, Field Master- Gary Kennedy, Hound Trucks - Karen Kennedy, Leo and Flora Erb

Good day. Hounds ran well and worked well together. Hunted mainly throughout the corn.

Next Meet Wednesday (tentative- weather)

Hound Walking - August 5th 2010

2010-08-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

I got a rather busy in the last few days and have not had time to inform everyone on the wonderful time we had hound walking on Thursday.

We had a great turn out with lots of puppy handlers! We went for a walk down Pumping Station Rd, down Bridle Path Rd, cut up through a field, back around to Pumping Station Rd, to the hay field at Funnel Lake, and down to the pond for a swim (we were actually all sweaty enough after that walk that I think we could have all jumped for a swim).

The 9 little 'K' puppies are doing great with the pack, and the 5 'J' puppies are doing super too! Its always a lot of fun to see the puppies gaining more and more confidence within themselves to move around in the pack, interacting with the older hounds, and trying new things.

We have had a lot of supportive people coming out to help us hound walking this season, and it is through their dedication and help with the puppies that we will be able to start our cubbing season with confidence.

I'm very excited to report that I think we will be starting cubbing next week! I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on Facebook, Twitter, and the RHF web site. You can also keep informed by calling the RHF Hunt Recorder @ 717-786-1894 or e-mail pag2886@aol.com or call 484-667-6187... No excuse to not know whats going on!!!

Remember MFH Jimmy's motto: We are an inclusive hunt, not exclusive! We appreciate every one's support, and love for the hounds and hunting!

Hound Walking - July 29th, 2010

2010-07-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

Great night of hanging out and playing with foxhounds!

We had a pretty big group of thirteen hound walkers which included Samantha, Sydney, Stephanie, Sophia, and Tara Paglia and their friend James, Karen Kennedy and her granddaughter, Katie, Amy, and Beth Hall, our Master JCP and myself (Priscilla).

We started off in the puppy pen, playing with all 9 of the 'K' pups and getting them on puppy leashes so we could take them out for their first time with the rest of the pack. The puppies did great once we introduced them to the pack and they thought they were pretty 'hott stuff' playing with the 'big dogs'!

Since we had all the 'K' pups we didn't go too far on our walk. We went around the perimeter of the hay field and then around the barn and into the pond; even the little 'K's went for a swim!

July 22 - Hound Walking

2010-07-23T05:11:00.000-07:00
Great night with the hounds! Temperatures were much more enjoyable going out around 7:00pm. We had a nice hound walking group including: The Kennedy's (Gary, Karen, Alyse), Fred and Cyndy Von C, our up in coming junior fox hunters, John, Ella, and Miranda, our Master, JCP, and then of course me (Priscilla). We started off by coupling up the 'J' puppies (Joaquin, Journey, Jacob, Jessie, Jewels) to the older dogs and then we started up the Funnel Lake driveway (which can prove to be a bit of a hike up, and not always forgiving on the knees coming back down).

Some fox cubs had been spotted in the hay fields that we had been walking in last week so we headed down Pumping Station Road toward the bridge and the stream instead. On our trip to the stream, John practised his horn blowing and our hound Darla got pretty excited thinking that we might actually send her out to hunt, and Ella did a great job keeping the puppies hanging out with the pack. Karen made a good friend with our hound Easter, who is starting to show her age a little bit, and hung out near the back.

After we took the 'big' hounds back to the kennel, we took the 'little' puppies (aka the 'K's) out on leashes, and walked them out past the barn and to JCP's yard. Some of the K's are getting the idea of leash walking, and some.. not so much, but the great thing about hounds is that they are very smart, and once they understand whats going on they learn to trust you and try more and more new things when you ask them.

One thing is for sure, the hounds really love attention from everyone, and they love going out on their walks. I hope we can keep recruiting people to come out with us, so we can share our love of hounds and hunting with everyone.

We are planning on going out next Thursday around 7:00pm Cheers!

Hound Walking

2010-07-15T18:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight was our first offical hound walking. We took out all the hounds in the kennel (not the 9 little puppies). The group included the Karen and Gary Kennedy and their granddaughter, Jimmy Paxson, and Alex Brown... (o yea and me - Priscilla)

The 'medium' sized puppies had their first introduction to the pack and walking. They started off a bit unsure of everything but by the end they were quite fond of being at the front of the pack thinking they knew what was going on.

At the end of our walk out at the top hay fields we took the hounds to the pond and let everyone jump in for a swim.

It looks like we are planning to go out NEXT Thursday, so hopefully we will see you there!

Tally-ho for now!