OTTER-HUNTING 



During the time that digging is going on, the field 

 should be made to stand well back from the scene 

 of operations. When they crowd round the place, 

 as the average field so often does, they are a 

 nuisance to the diggers, and talk so much that it is 

 often impossible to hear the terriers underground. 

 Again, should an otter bolt from a drain, and have 

 some distance to go before reaching the water, the 

 field are nearly sure to start halloing, with the 

 result that hounds break away and arrive on the 

 scene ere the otter has had fair law. 



Once the otter is afloat, the next thing is to 

 keep him going until hounds tire him out, and 

 at last gain their reward. The field should now 

 spread out at intervals, along the bank, and stand 

 still. By doing so each individual can watch the 

 water in front of him, and tally when he is certain 

 he sees the otter. When the field persists in 

 rushing up and down the banks they are a nuisance 

 to both hounds and huntsman. Standing still, 

 and keeping a bright look out, they can be of the 



greatest service, and at the same time they see 



99 



