A Weekends Hare Hunting With Irish Harriers

[thefootman 17]

While it seems most lads on here are into foxes I thought I would give a write up of the two days of hare hunting on foot we had over the last weekend, when our foot pack hosted a joint meet with the Ballycattan Harriers from near Kilbrittain in County Cork. The Ballycattan lads, had 14 hounds up with them, which we met with 25 from our own pack. Saturdays meet was at 11 o’clock on Scarva Bridge about 2 miles to the South East of Clones town. After beating for 40 minutes, the first hare was put up by one of our lads. This hare rang at first to the high country to the east of the meet, through land owned by the Vance family who are the masters the local mounted hunt, the Fermanagh Harriers, and then back down on to the lower country around the meet, a run of around 35 minutes altogether, with some fine music. During this hunt a hares had been seen on the run that had not been hunted. Hounds were tried on this hare in turn. However, scent appeared to be failing quickly and we were not helped by the fact that this hare followed a similar routes to the first run making scenting even harder so no run of note was had. It was then decided to try the next valley as it was thought that a run across fresh ground might give the hounds a better chance in what were difficult scenting conditions. Following a short draw a hare was then found at the edge of a bog by the same lad who found the first hare. A slow but steady hunt of about 25 minutes then followed, again the hounds tried hard, but due to the patchy scenting conditions, they never really raised a driving cry to push this hare on, but they could not be faulted for their efforts. Following another short draw, a hare was raised by the hounds themselves. She got up in full view of the hounds and was viewed of in fine style. Unfortunately this hare travelled back to the country that had been heavily hunted in the morning and as a result hounds found it hard work and a short run was had. We gathered the hounds and after a short draw hounds again found their own hare, who had stole out unseen, leading to some fine trail hunting by the pack to get her on her way. Initially this hunt was hot with impressive hound work around a lake and across a local road and back down the country towards the meet, but again owing to the difficult scenting conditions, the hunt gradually failed as the hare gained law on the pack and a relatively short run of about 20 minutes was had. By now it was coming towards 4 o’clock and we decided to try for another hare, which was found but again due to poor scent a run of only 10 minutes was had. As we were to meet again at 11 the next morning, and had important business to attend to in the Tower Bar in Clones hounds were gathered for the evening.

 

Despite the late night had by many of the huntsmen, we again met at 11 the next morning. As there had been a heavy frost the previous night, and the morning itself was very misty we did not hold out much hope for scent. After a short draw hounds trailed their hare out and proceeded with great cry towards the country hunted the previous day. Despite our reservations about the quality of scent this hare was hunted with some style for 50 minutes until lost in a field in that had recently held sheep and was heavily wired. We then drew the hounds for almost an hour, which proved the longest draw of the weekend, until one of our lads raised a hare on hill to the south of where the pack was beating. Unfortunately it took some time for all hounds to close to where the hare rose and as a result this hunt never truly developed and hounds lost on a road after a short run. After a short draw a hare stole out of a bunch of whins and on this occasion all hounds were on quickly and a fine run of 30 minutes was had, with some great music to be heard. Unfortunately this hare was lost when she crossed a road and a car travelled the road before the hounds got to it. Hounds never fully regained their line after this and the hare was lost quickly after it. We then drew the hounds on to a bog close by and another hare was quickly underway. This hunt was the highlight of the weekend as this hare was a straight running hare who rang out to the east for about 2 miles and then back into the area she was raised once more, where she stayed to ring around the valley, for a run of an hour and ten minutes. We were on some of the finest country for viewing a hunt in the whole of Ireland but unfortunately for us the mist had come down at the time and our view was hampered, but while our eyes did not get to enjoy as much of the hunt as they might have, our ears were treated to some of the finest music you could wish to hear. Towards the end of this hunt it was decided, in the true sporting tradition of Irish foot hunting, to check the hounds of this hare if possible, as she had provided fine sport and it would be fairer to leave her for another day, so when hounds checked in a plantation it was decided to draw them off. By this stage it was after 4 o’clock it was decided to beat on until 4.30 and catch hounds at that time if no hare was found. No further hare was found and all hounds were safely gathered up before dark. While scent had been patchy all weekend the final two hours of fine chasing meant that the huntsmen retired to Adamson’s bar in Clones that night happy with their weekends sport, and the music heard that evening was nearly matched by the sing song that night!

[Carlowhunter 27]

Fair play lad ! Sounds like a great weekend !

[coverdogs 888]

great read fella sounds like you all hade a good weekend both inside and out.lol

[R.A.W 1,987]

thanks for the write up mate. sounds like a great couple of days with plenty of sport.

[spade 224]

Sounds like a grand weekend. Thanks for sharing.

[Greenseed 50]

Nice read sounds like it was a good weekend

[biglad1990 57]

Nice one