FOXES FOXHOUNDS & FOX-HUNTING 



ground, and thus reach their fox without getting 

 unduly punished ; and at the same time they can 

 travel over any sort of rough ground without 

 tiring during the course of a long run. Their 

 ears are better too if dropped close to their heads, 

 so that they can afford less temptation for a fox 

 to " take hold." 



To see sport with the Ullswater hounds one has 

 to be in hard condition, for the hills run up to a 

 height of 3,000 ft. and over, and the ground has 

 sometimes to be covered at a pretty fast pace. 

 Having unkennelled their fox far up the fell side, 

 hounds at once leave the field far behind, and one 

 then has to make for the nearest point from which 

 a view of the chase is likely to be obtained. A 

 knowledge of the country and the run of the foxes 

 is naturally a great help, and a stranger will 

 therefore be wise to attach himself to some local 

 hunter who knows the district. 



There are times, however, more particularly 

 at the beginning of the season in October, when 

 many a run can be viewed without stirring far 

 from the level of the dales. 



There is no regular cub hunting, but in October 

 there are plenty of well grown cubs about, and as 

 these usually know little country, and therefore 

 do not run far, they provide entertainment for 

 those who through age or infirmity cannot tackle 

 the high ground. The covert known as Low- 

 wood, on the hill-side above Brotherswater, has 

 been the scene of many a scurry with the cubs, 

 and from the fields below it is possible to see all 

 that goes on. At that time of year too, the 

 weather is usually fine, but later in the season one 

 experiences all sorts of climatic conditions, in- 

 cluding mist, rain, and snow. In April and May, 

 early morning meets are the rule, to enable hounds 

 to be out before the dew is dried up by the sun. 



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