The Foot-Harriers' Opening Meet 



Now that the turf is home, the potatoes are dug and 

 the threshing is nearly finished, farmers who keep foot- 

 hounds will have more leisure to sample the joys of 

 good hare-hunting during the coming winter. Through- 

 out Ireland there are numerous trencher-fed packs 

 whose particulars are not to be found in Hunting 

 Directories, who are comparatively unknown, except 

 locally, and yet have been in existence for centuries and 

 still continue to provide excellent sport. Although the 

 Opening Meet of a big, well turned-out pack is a very 

 lovely sight, there is no elaborate ritual about the first 

 hunt of the foot-men. There is no gay flash of scarlet 

 against the winter landscape : instead one sees hounds 

 arriving at the Meet singly or in couples trotting at 

 their owner's heels. The scene may lack colour and 

 pageantry, but the spirit is the same a love of the game. 

 Across the bogs they come, down from the hills and 

 along the quiet roadways; sturdy farmers, light-footed 

 youngsters and gallant old men. Proud owners of a 

 tan dog or a badger-pied bitch which they hope will 

 do them credit this first day of the season. At the 

 cross-roads they are complimented or criticised according 

 to the condition of the hounds in their charge. Different 

 views are expressed as to the most likely place to beat 



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