A FOX HUNT IN AMERICA

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1930, Page 7

A FOX HUNT IN AMERICA

(By CAPT. JOCELYN LUCAS, the Authority on Field Sports.) IjON D ON, Ja nua r v 29. Nothing is more remarkable than the tremendous rise in the popularity of fox-hunting in the United States during the past three years. Fields continually increasing in size and new packs being started are unmistakable healthy signs. There are many packs of English fox-lion nils in America, hut the Essex, which hunt in the shadow of the New Jersey Hills, is composed of old-fash-ioned, true-bred American hounds. Lacking the drive and beauty of the English foxhound, they have more music and better scenting powers. -X- * -X- * Four days a week they hunt, over a post-and-rail country, which sounds more difficult than it is. Foxes are not too numerous, so the earths are never stopped. Consequently, when the fox has had enough, he goes to ground and is saved for another day. If perchance a tired fox is in danger, the master lias been known to stop the hounds, and as did Sir Roger do C'overley in days of yore, thought that sportsman’s name is best known on da ire programmes. It is a nice idea, uoultrv and poultry claims are almost non-cistent. Game is scarce and foxes have to work for their living. They run well, tlie hounds hunt well, and the field represent a type that warms the heart of anv sportsman. The hunting is of necessity rather artificial. The country rides deep and is not meal. Bain or shine, frost or snow, they bunt just the same. They do it because thev love it and fox-hunting is spreading in consequence.