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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 :-)