Huntsman Tot Goodwin and the Green Creek Hounds / Erik Olsen photo
It’s always fun to hear a day’s hunting described by different members of the hunt. Years ago I would ask Mrs. A how the day had been, and she would assure me, “They ran and screamed all day.” When Mr. B was queried, he said, “They had a bit of a flurry.” When Mr. C was asked the same question, “They didn’t do a thing.” This past Thursday, however, everyone at Green Creek Hounds (Carolinas) agreed it was a barnburner!
Hounds met at Coxe Road where a few of the young entry thought the deer they saw were worth a go. Puppies were reprimanded, and they hacked obediently through the woods to East Green Creek Road. It was a cool, misty morning with great scenting conditions. This is known as coyote country. Tot sent the pack into covert and allowed them to trail for ten or fifteen minutes, and then they opened. All hounds were on (thirty couple), and the cry was ear-splitting.
Green Creek’s country is hilly and heavily wooded—not so good for seeing hounds work—but the music left little to the imagination. The pack flew west for a couple of miles, then suddenly reversed. Debra Bundy, MFH, who was riding with Tot, said it was wonderful to ride past the second and third flights and see all the expressions of excitement and awe.
Two road whippers-in called to tell where they had seen hounds cross, but no one viewed the quarry. By now, older hounds were starting to lag, but Tot was pleased to see young hounds flying like veterans. Some of last year’s entry were showing much improved drive from last year.
Fortunately, Tot was mounted on Tucker—an older Thoroughbred gelding that can really gallop. And gallop he did…right out of his shoes.
When the race came to an end, hounds were in a place where many red fox had gone to ground over the years, clearing up the question of the quarry. More than one member said it was the fastest run they had ever experienced. Charter member Anna Dalton, who started hunting in 1970 under the tutelage of Sharon Lasher of the Mecklenburg Hounds (NC), placed the run in the top ten of hunts she had ever been on.
High-tech members of the hunt reported it was a twelve-mile race. In the current climate of shrinking country and lesser game, it felt like “the old days.”
Posted October 24, 2014