OTTER-HUNTING 



much of interest when hounds can own it, as the 



actual hunting after the otter is afloat. With 



entered hounds which try the banks carefully it is 



possible to find an otter without touching a drag 



at all. This frequently happens after a late meet, 



when the huntsman is a real trier, and can depend 



on his hounds. Still, we imagine that the majority 



of keen otter-hunters enjoy watching the pack at 



work on a drag, and the music seems a fitting 



prelude to the chorus that arises when finally 



hounds mark and acknowledge in no uncertain 



tones that their quarry is " at home." 



Under favourable conditions the scent of an 



otter will lie for a very long time. In the shade, 



amidst tall herbage, or among the water lilies, 



hounds can speak to it hours after their otter has 



gone, and it is sometimes difficult to know whether 



they are the right way or running heel. Then is 



the time to look for the seal of your otter in the 



sand, mud, or other soft places, and note whether 



the footprints point up-stream or down. Half the 



pleasure of otter-hunting is to see hounds draw, 



8i F 



