first day out for roundtower harriers.

whitser

had first day out yesterday. took the hounds to some permission in wicklow. flushed a couple of foxes out of different bogs but scent didnt seem to be too good as they were lost fairly quickly. covered a lot of ground and although scent seem bad they hounds worked enthusiasticly.
about 3 o clock when i was hunting my way back towards the car the hounds started to cry in a xmass tree plantation. i was in a great position and saw the fox break cover and head across a field. seconds later the hounds,roaring with gusto, were out across the field on the line, the young pup was out in front with her nose to the ground. the fox ran us trough 3 differnt pine tree scrubs and out across a road and down into the valley were we had started that morning. and one stage when i was out crossing the road a woman walking her baby pointed me in the direction the hounds went, no antis down here!
eventually we lost him in a gorse copse, reckon he went to ground. but after an hour+20 mins excellent hunt, he was given best.
first day out hounds worked well especially my young bitch who for her first time hunting good fox country excelled her self.
i really enjoyed my curry and few beers last night. finally the season is here.

stevoman

whitser wrote: »

had first day out yesterday. took the hounds to some permission in wicklow. flushed a couple of foxes out of different bogs but scent didnt seem to be too good as they were lost fairly quickly. covered a lot of ground and although scent seem bad they hounds worked enthusiasticly.
about 3 o clock when i was hunting my way back towards the car the hounds started to cry in a xmass tree plantation. i was in a great position and saw the fox break cover and head across a field. seconds later the hounds,roaring with gusto, were out across the field on the line, the young pup was out in front with her nose to the ground. the fox ran us trough 3 differnt pine tree scrubs and out across a road and down into the valley were we had started that morning. and one stage when i was out crossing the road a woman walking her baby pointed me in the direction the hounds went, no antis down here!
eventually we lost him in a gorse copse, reckon he went to ground. but after an hour+20 mins excellent hunt, he was given best.
first day out hounds worked well especially my young bitch who for her first time hunting good fox country excelled her self.
i really enjoyed my curry and few beers last night. finally the season is here.

great story whitser. how many hounds were you working?

whitser

just 3 hounds. special,velvet and ginger. delighted with ginger,the pup, especially. all in all it was a good start. as the weather gets colder scent will improve. very warm yesterday, talk about sweating and thirst. i was drinking out of streams and cattle troffs too cool down.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Nice, I used to go on the local hunts as a young lad. My job was mainly opening gates and the likes, it's good fun. Would love to go on some hunts again

stevoman

Im going to follow the hunt in abbeyleix this st stephens day. im looking forward to it so i am as i have never followed a hunt before.

ps - whitser, silly question maybe, but how much of a success rate would you have of your hounds getting a kill? (im sorry but i know very little about huntign with hounds)

also im curious how much distance would your hounds range out?

Auldloon

Enjoyed that story would love some pics? Hounds in full cry has to be one of the most exciting sounds from the hunting world:) Shot foxes over them a few times any you would be literally shaking with excitement when you hear them coming your way.

whitser

stevoman wrote: »

Im going to follow the hunt in abbeyleix this st stephens day. im looking forward to it so i am as i have never followed a hunt before.

ps - whitser, silly question maybe, but how much of a success rate would you have of your hounds getting a kill? (im sorry but i know very little about huntign with hounds)

also im curious how much distance would your hounds range out?

personally i dont kill a whole lot of foxes. i killed 5 last year. if i flushed to guns or lurchers more often i could kill alot more. bigger packs will take alot more foxes. basically its harder to escape 20 noses then it is 2 or 3.also alot of my land is heavily lamped so foxes can be hard to find sometimes. this sunday im working a farm that is having problems loosing fowl so'll probably use a gun positioned for a shot if it arises. gun packs will kill 5 or 6 foxes a day,with about ten or so lads with guns. it all depends on how you use the hounds.
as for range, mine dont go too far until they pick up a scent then they just follow the line,where the fox goes they go. could end up a few mile away. the craic is in following them, i usually end up wet up to my balls and scratched and mucky from running through bogs and forests.

BigAl>>

whitser wrote: »

personally i dont kill a whole lot of foxes. i killed 5 last year. if i flushed to guns or lurchers more often i could kill alot more. bigger packs will take alot more foxes. basically its harder to escape 20 noses then it is 2 or 3.also alot of my land is heavily lamped so foxes can be hard to find sometimes. this sunday im working a farm that is having problems loosing fowl so'll probably use a gun positioned for a shot if it arises. gun packs will kill 5 or 6 foxes a day,with about ten or so lads with guns. it all depends on how you use the hounds.
as for range, mine dont go too far until they pick up a scent then they just follow the line,where the fox goes they go. could end up a few mile away. the craic is in following them, i usually end up wet up to my balls and scratched and mucky from running through bogs and forests.

Have never hunted with hounds, but it sounds great fun, will have to try it someday

whitser

you should get in touch with your local beagle or foot harrier pack they'll welcome followers any day. you'll get some great exercise and enjoy the hounds working.

BigAl>>

Anyone know of any clubs based close to Dublin?

whitser

go to the hunting assoc web site there's contact details for all the most of the beagle packs in ireland. i know there is a beagle pack based in north county dublin, think they are called the goldburn beagles but cant be sure. not sure if there's any foot harrier packs around dublin. but theres foot harrier packs in the counties around like kildare,louth and wexford.

BigAl>>

whitser wrote: »

go to the hunting assoc web site there's contact details for all the most of the beagle packs in ireland. i know there is a beagle pack based in north county dublin, think they are called the goldburn beagles but cant be sure. not sure if there's any foot harrier packs around dublin. but theres foot harrier packs in the counties around like kildare,louth and wexford.

Cheers for tht.... will look into it and let you know how i get on.