SATURDAYS SABBING FROM HEREFORDSHIRE HUNT SABS

 THIS FOLLOWS ON FROM THE HUNT SABS POST OF 30TH SEPTEMBER 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗯 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮: 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻

After confirming the Teme Valley hounds boxed up we headed back to Herefordshire an spent a couple of hours checking badger setts. Around 2.30pm we did a quick check of the Herefordshire and Clifton kennels and found the hounds loaded and ready to leave for an afternoon cubbing meet.

The meet was at Lower Eggleton Court, and foot sabs were in the field in time to see hounds and huntsman in first draw Stretton Coppice, with the field holding up in classic cub hunting fashion. As we got closer the hounds were taken into the first of two maize fields adjoining the wood. 

The two kennel lads sped past on a quad dragging a bit of rag on a rope behind them. Overt trail laying – tick. More than one trail layer – er, don't think it counts if they're both on the same quad. This attempt at a smokescreen lasted the length of a track up one side of the maize, then the likely lads lost interest. All the while huntsman, Will Hanson was encouraging his hounds to hunt in the midst of the maize and hounds were in and out of cry. 

A fox popped out of the maize briefly before darting back into the hedge. Hounds came rushing out

on the fox's line but fortunately missed the change of direction. Field riders rated them but eight or nine hounds continued on into Homend Bank.

While Hanson gathered his hounds, we checked on a badger sett, and were pleased to find it showing plenty of badger activity. For once it hadn't been blocked, but the entrances were covered in fresh paw prints. Hanson was spoken to by police about letting his hounds cold mark at a badger sett last season. Obviously that lesson has not been taken on board, so the performative nonsense with the rag and bit of rope is just a total joke. Don't know why they even bother.

After this the hunt hot footed it across country to Millend Farm, perhaps hoping to put some distance between them and sabs. The ground was sodden and flooded in places and they may just have had nowhere else to go. Our driver was well positioned on the Canon Frome road to see two further foxes to safety. Car support were also likely to have seen these foxes but for whatever reason they were left, and the rest of the afternoon turned into a muddy hack around field edges and tracks back to the meet.