Sorry for the delay on this, the holidays have been craaazy!-
Rain, Rain Go AWAY! Thank goodness God has made a promise to never flood the earth again because I am beginning to wonder. Maybe the new plan is to make us disappear under a deep, deep layer of mud.
On to better and brighter topics =) Since we have had so much r***, which created so much m**, the decision was made to move hunting from Yutan to Burwell. Deer season in Iowa reduces our hunting in Nebraska to Cook and Burwell. We are in the process of trying to develop more country in Nebraska and improve land owner relations in our Cook country.
To accommodate all of our members, some who must travel quite a distance to Burwell, the hunt was set for 1:00.
We set off with Huntsman Dave, Whipper-in MFH Dave K and Whipper-in Breanna O, 25 hounds, ex-MFH Mary Lynn F, Dolf I, Becca F, Jay S, Camie S, Machelle L (Mickey) and myself.
The weather was ever changing and rain wear was allowed. It wasn’t too cold, the wind was moving, so it was hard to hear at times and the r*** was holding off-for the moment.
When we travel to Burwell in the Fall, it can be too warm and the scenting conditions can be tough. Right now, with the cool weather, the wet terrain, the scenting conditions are in our favor.
The hounds started working well and were excited to be out. They settled down and worked hard. They started speaking and with good voice! We started running and the field got strung out, everyone mounted are excellent riders and we are careful to support each other if someone does have trouble.
We stopped on a hill and about 1000 yds away in the canyons we could watch the hounds working and circling, working and circling, till they figured the line out and AWAY they went! Deer went scattering everywhere, one hound almost got trampled, but the hounds stayed true to the line. We all went flying down into the canyons hot on their trail. All of a sudden they started howling and barking like crazy and had something in a tree-UGGGG-a porcupine. That thing was dinosaur size. Seven of the hounds were sprayed with quills. One hound stayed true on the coyote and kept on hunting. We were out of hunt country, so we pulled the quills, killed the porcupine and turned towards home. I talked with Dolf about this and he hunts a lot and all over the country with his hounds. He says for some reason that he can’t explain, they just love porcupine. Even though they were true to the coyote trail, because the line was a bit old and hard to hold, the porcupine was a quick and strong scented find.
As we’re heading towards home, the hounds starting speaking again and Huntsman Dave views! We give it a good hard chase, but the hounds have a loss. We’re almost home, so Huntsman Dave carries the hounds back to the trailer. We spot two fat antelopes! Kind of fun to see them, I’ve never seen antelope in Burwell.
12.50 miles, (my top speed was 24 mph) 3 hours, 2 runs, 1 view later we’re done =) Good huntin’
We meet at the Sandstone Grill for dinner and conversation, always a great meal!
Hunting on Sunday was canceled because of cold and wind.
Have a safe and happy week
Carine and Indie
