Check out the article on the Chronicle’s main website page today…
That is a terrific story!!!
He’s too old to ride but can run 10 miles while jumping coops and creeks!?!? I am impressed.
I’ve had to whip-in on foot once or twice… slept well those nights!!
Wow is right, I’d just ride 
[QUOTE=bird4416;6886563]
He’s too old to ride but can run 10 miles while jumping coops and creeks!?!? I am impressed.[/QUOTE]
My thoughts exactly. At 20+ yrs younger I can’t run down my block.
Great article!
I have been out on foot over the summer with the huntsman and hounds - but when they really get running we just admire them in the distance Luckily we hunt hares, who tend to circle.
I think it would be a blast to do what this guy is doing, but no way would I be fit enough to it! It would certainly be a lot cheaper 
[QUOTE=Hippolyta;6887436]
My thoughts exactly. At 20+ yrs younger I can’t run down my block.[/QUOTE]
I was thinking the same thing! Over 40 years younger and I couldn’t do that!
I was going to say that it wouldn’t be much of a first field if a man of any age could keep up with it, but then near the bottom of the article it says he hitches rides for the straight runs.
How old is Jim Meads ? The British Isles tend to be teeming with these types.
Hmmm! Do they hunt at reinback? I could manage that!
I did hunt on foot for a year or two at the very end of the season, but didn’t consider it 1st flight - except when I’d climb over fences or coops because it was easier and quicker than going round to the gates. But I never “ran” with the hunt - simply followed behind at a walk or gentle jog listening to the hounds to know where they were. Was always careful not to get between the game or hounds, would be happy to open and close gates, hold horses, and point directions for whipper-ins.
It did tend to amaze the riders who were aways awed at me following on foot for 2 or more hours (I was 58 at the time), and how often I ended up being at the checks even as they made long circuits. What they tended to forget was foxes run in circles, and often as not the hunt would end up being right back where they found the fox in the first place, or some reasonably close proximity. I never really had to go THAT far to end up at the check, and it was GREAT exercise for me for my endurance riding where I did have to walk up/run down mountains while competing. 
Used to live and ride in Cheshire Hunt territory. Very pretty, wide open, and rolling. Easy to get around riding a car.
I would definitely hunt first flight on foot. For only about 500m. lol.
My partner hunts our hounds on foot twice a week, for 2 months, before our opening hunt. He hunts alone, because nobody else will do it! Normally he’ll be out for 3 - 5 hours each time. Me? I wait til he’s ready to take horses out with them!
I whip in to a footpack. (I also foxhunt)
There are days I wish I was on a horse. Yesterday was one of them.
PVB used to have a (British) member who would follow on mountain bike.
I nearly croaked foot-following Arie Rijke’s beagles on hound exercise once.
liked it !!
I truly admire him but I do get it!! Sometimes when I’m car following I get a bit of hiking in but THIS is extraordinary!
I’m familiar with the hiking that many of our fabulous local photographers do. I’m remembering with admiration watching Leslie Howells following Blue Ridge back in the day. Wow…
I think the ideal is both car following with a tad bit of hiking out.
I foot hunt also with the Ashland Bassets and it’s a constant fitness
reality check for me. Hills = aaahhhhhh!!! :eek::eek::eek:
