North Hills Hunt Report for 2008

Saturday dawned a chilly twenty four degrees with a strong north wind that had horses stomping and riders downing an extra stirrup cup. At ten a.m., MFH and Huntsman Steve Evans led l3 1/2 couple from the kennel with the able assistance of whippers-in Nancy E, Tyce M, Hilary S. and Helen S.

We welcomed our guests who are following the Western Challenge this year, Betty Hollendorfer from the Fort Carson Hounds in Colorado, and Kathy Adams and Ray Orth from Mission Valley in Kansas.
Ray took over 500 photos and you can view these at http://www.tallyhoartworks.photoreflect.com He even caught the most spectacular fall of the day including the "airs above the ground" performed by horses trying to avoid coming to the same end.

North Hills hunted four hours plus and covered eighteen miles, better double that for the hounds.
On the first draw southeast of the kennels, the field had a brief run across the corn field to the wooden bridge, but scent was lost there, and our huntsman headed east for Big Jim's country, (Big Jim was a horse who had a heart attack and died in this area several year's ago.)

Hounds then turned south past Wilson's pond. The Huntsman and hounds checked out the dead longhorn cow covert, then turned south to Salerno's CRP. Turned east and went through Berg country on our way to Fox Tree pond. (Yes, in the past, we actually did tree a fox here). Nobody home today though.
East towards Fox Canyon, where deer jumped up but were ignored, a brief run here, then nothing.

Tension was building in horses and riders as everyone recognized that hounds were working with attitude and purpose. A fox or coyote might spring from any covert and the chase would be on. No hound spoke, every one of them working together as a team to find a whiff of scent.

The excitement was tangible enough to communicate itself to the car followers also and not a sound was heard except for the huntsman encouraging his hounds to hunt. It was the heart stopping emotional moment all who ride to hounds recognize, but unfortunately, no foxes or coyotes were roaming around in North Hills territory this day.

Both judges rode up and complimented MFH Luke and MFH Steve on how hard the hounds were working and were as disappointed as we were at the lack of game today.

Back at the kennels and after marvelous food, Judge Grosvenor spoke to the group, gave kudos to the hounds, MFH Steve and staff on a fabulous day of hunting. We had it all today, all except Mr. Coyote or Mr. Fox.

Respectfully submitted,
Bev. Crouter
North Hills Hunt
Co. Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Ne.