September 13, 2012- Hunt

The time is coming very soon when the corn we have been cubbing in will be taken down. The foxes there have been very game, providing good chases that have enabled our new entry to get settled in with the pack very nicely.  During this morning's chase, we heard my Reilly tonguing ( and up with the front hounds!), and  we also got our first earful of Rebel's voice. He has a nice note!    Now he just needs to learn to  stay up with the others!  But this was his best effort to date.  Reilly and Rebel have deeper tones than Marney and Marilyn, and although I havent picked out Ravens voice yet, I am sure he will have his mama's deep note too. Hounds began to cold trail at 4:34, and it took 10 minutes before they got the line figured out.They had taken it across the dirt lane and back briefly - probably running it heel at the start. But by 4:45, they were roaring through the corn, coming straight towards where Bobby and I were standing.    We could hear Marney running in front, with about 4 other voices with her, including my pup, Reilly.  The rest of the 12 couple were only 30 feet or so behind them-you should be able to hear all of this on the audio ( video)-when they passed by. Could video to train your ear, lol!! The fox ran round and round the corn for 50 minutes, then headed down into the branch ( swampy bottom with woods).  He gave the pack a short run in the mud and then went to ground at an earth on the edge of the woods at 5:46.  We had hoped for a longer chase, but this hour run was fast and LOUD, with all hounds accounted for at the hole. Can't ask for better than that! I am so pleased that our work all summer is paying off-especially with Part-Time. He comes to my horn right away now, rather than lingering at the hole or slipping off to hunt on his own as he used to do. Good Boy, Party!!  And Reilly- WOOHOOO!!!!!! The temp was a crisp 50 degrees, with a clear, starry night overhead.  A waxing crescent moon was just rising on the horizon ahead of the sun as hounds ran , and Venus ( or is it Saturn?)  resting  way above it. I tried to take some pics of the moon after the hunt was over.  Even if the pics dont look so great, when I see them years from now, they will take me right back to the moment!