Spring Coth Great Hunt Expedition

[whicker]

The snowball has started rolling fast for us to organize the Spring Hunt. If you check the thread, “ladies hunt clinic” You will see that there is a tentative date of March 18,19,20. That’s expandable with more fun available.
We will be hunting Old Dominion from Hunter’s Rest on Saturday. Glorious country, steep hills and breath taking long views of the mountains. If you have ever wanted to be inside an English landscape painting or the film, “Tom Jones” from years ago, this is the feeling of this country. Lots of foxes who frequently loop and use the riders as foils like cattle.

We plan this coth hunt so the newbies can have as gentle an introduction to hunting as possible in the hilltopping 3rd field. The second and first fields are moving on, so fit horses and riders are needed. Jumps are about 3’-3’6", frequently on the sides of hills. Jumps are usually coops, some rails and stone walls.

[Hinderella]

Whicker, the master coordinator, is on the job! I’ll send you an email, I’m good for that weekend, but if things get crowded and we end up with two spring CotH weekends I can be flexible.

Actually, judging by the responses on the other thread, I might have to be “sleeping on the couch” sort of flexible!

[Jaegermonster]

Hmmm sounds interesting. Hunting all three days? Definitely will seek more info.

[bigbaytb]

Oh bummer. I will not be able to attend either! Have fun for me though!

[Polydor]

One day i shall do this!! The last one sounded like so much fun. Really must get back riding ( and being in North American would help as well since Oz doesn’t do much hunting).

P.

[pleasantmeadowfarm]

Ohhhh. sounds like another wicked fun weekend in the making! Calendar is open… If I can confirm barn coverage, I’m good to go! Oh wait, kid coverage too! I would hate to miss out on all the fun

Taking the new boy out for his first hunt tomorrow. Wish us luck.

Hinderella, if I can’t make it down - I hope you can stop in (NJ) on your way south!

Jeagermonster, the trip will be well worth it!

[Heliodoro]

Sounds like a blast and would love to go! Maybe next year, as the currently listed weekend is taken…silly NYC St. Patty’s Day parade!

Happy Hunting!

[SmartAlex]

I’m interested. I hadn’t tuned in until now, but if there is room for one more, I’m going to stay tuned. Sounds like a terrific opportunity.

[RxCate]

My maid of honor and I would love to do this - penciled in the dates in our calendars already - Want to do it as a sort of last hoorah before I get married in April

Where do we sign up? I posted in the other thread but haven’t checked it yet this morning - should probably run over there.

[KPF]

I sent HR a PM, to see if I need to send a deposit or whatever to make it “official”. I’m in.

I’ve decided 2011 is the year for me to get my confidence back. I’m gonna pack my big girl panties! :lol:

[RxCate]

Me too - just sent a PM - so excited!

[easykeeper]

Planning on coming this time! I live close and have my own critter so I am guessing I can just show up for the festivities?

I’ll shadow JSwan…she raves about how much fun the October meet was! I can’t wait!

[JSwan]

If Ashland Bassets is hunting that Sunday (I’m pretty sure we are), the spring COTH Great Hunt Expedition members are invited as my guests.

(for you hunt virgins out there this means that as my guest I take care of the cap - you do not pay - though a small donation to the kennel fund would be greatly appreciated. The kennel fund is used to pay for dog food, veterinary care, and kennel maintenance.)

I’ll get a final head count from Whicker and obtain permission from the Masters, bring food for the tailgate, etc. We hunt from 2-4pm.

A footpack is organized the same way a mounted pack is. Masters, huntsman, whippers-in, and the field. Hound and staff commands are the same, horn calls are the same, as is etiquette.

Except we are following the hounds on foot - and the quarry (for this pack) is the cottontail rabbit. You get much closer to the hounds and can see them work as a pack, and in harmony with the huntsman.

Hounds are Bleu de Gascogne, and crossbred AKC bassets - but they are not the lethargic, corpulent dogs found snoring on couches. These are large, well muscled, very fit hunting dogs. Extraordinarily friendly, too.

Chases are short, but can be fast. But just like mounted foxhunting, scent varies so there can be no guarantee the hounds will find or you’ll view. No matter what though - you will have a good time.

To hunt with the footpack you just need clothing suitable to the weather, and stout walking shoes or hiking boots.

There are only a few footpacks in the United States, and of those only a handful hunt with Basset Hounds. So you will experience a form of hunting that is very rare in the US.

Ashland Bassets is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this season. You’re invited to be part of a very special season for us.

A hunting license is required in this state, as mounted and footpacks are chasing a game animal. The license fee is very modest, can be obtained on-line, and since we do not use firearms you are not required to take the safety course.

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/licenses.asp#license-fees

If you have any questions about the license feel free to send me a PM.

Can’t wait to see all y’all!

ETA: Here’s a link to photo essays about the pack - courtesy of the wonderful and talented Karen Myers. Enjoy! http://www.klmimages.com/ashlandbassets

[RxCate]

Okay so we need to get a hunting license to follow along?

I see a bunch on there - which applies to us?

ETA : I guess the regular hunting $18 one?

[KPF]

Do we need a hunting license for the third field adventure?

I’d love to do the Basset hunt but I’ll most likely have to head home on Sunday.

[whicker]

Yiu will need the hunting lic if you are mounted on a horse following the foxhunt. If you are car following, you don’t need it as you are an observer. If you go to the basset hunt, you will be foot following, so you need a lic for that. I’m sure that JSwan will correct me, if I’m remembering this incorrectly.

[JSwan]

Car followers are passive participants just like mounted (first, second or third field) or foot followers.

Technically you are required to posses a hunting license - though I really really doubt a CPO would fine you. Some of them don’t know what to make of us; as mounted and foot hunting is rather … abstruse. :lol:

A friend relates this story of purchasing his hunting license. The clerk could just not understand the concept of mounted foxhunting. My friend tried to explain it, to ensure the clerk checked the correct box and collected the right fee.

Through this process the clerk was very quiet. He finally says something like, “So you’re really hunting a fox?”

My friend replies, “Yes.” Collects his license and hands the clerk a check.

The clerk looks at him, thinks, furrows his brow. Finally says, “So how do you cook that?”

True story.

[Cammie]

I replied on the other thread, but will put my name in here as well. I definitely will plan on coming, just need to know when the date is locked in so I can get a flight arranged. I’ve been in touch with JSwan, and sent Hunters Rest a PM as well. I went out foxhunting with HR two years ago, and had a lovely time. Last year I was able to join JSwan with the bassets. Going out with the footpack was very interesting, and loads of fun. Definitely worth attending!

Looking forward to seeing everyone, and getting to spend some serious horse time.

[Doctracy]

Can we have a western version somewhere too? Anybody on here willing to host in one of the western states?

[wateryglen]

Yeeee haw!

I’m in on this thread too!
The Hunting Princesses are gonna have fun!