What a pleasure

[kiwi]

On saturday ,there were only 3 of us up for a hunt. Brian , Jack and Myself.
Two 56 YO and a 67 YO
Took a while to find the stag fresh and when i got the spot to start him , It was in a good spot.
Brian brought my truck along the track and i was 200 yards or so down an old logging track
Standing just off the track on the marks , he opened the crates and down they came.
Tom & Ellen first , stop and came in to where i was standing.
Didn't take long for her to start cold trailling and Tom was joining as well.
Soon joined by Bart , Maggie and Lucky. Down they went with only Tom & Ellen Making any noise , over the ridge when Bart starts to voice a little.
This race was about to really begin .
Then on a fine cool ,still spring morning ,they lifted him and the noise was unbelieveable
From my spot on that track overlooking the creek system i could hear plainly the whole hunt as it unfolded.
It was a joy to listen to hounds on a hot scent , 5 beagles , doing a great job
If there's a better way to spend a morning than this i'd like to know what it is.
They turned and took a spur up to the firebreak where Brian has been positioned
I knew what the next sounds were going to be and his .35 Whelen even drowned out the sounds of the hounds
It was only about 30 minutes , but what a great 30 minutes it was.
One of lifes simple pleasures,

[kiwi]

Although i carry my 30-06 every hunt , i try and put others in the likely spots that the deer will cross.
I'm more content just to listen these days unless we are chasing a good stag
Maybe as i've gotten older and the more years i've had dogs , i just appreciate listening to the dogs more
When the deer crosses water , i listen to see who starts them up again and Ellen seems to be doing the job there
She is the only one that can keep up with Tom when the hunt has been going a while
Little Homer used to start them all the time but i lost him nearly 3 weeks ago , that hurt a lot
We always give the dogs a good feed at the carcass before they are led out and we carry out the rest
But days like last saturday when it is fine and still , their voices carry a long way
I have a big smile on my face listening to them
Would be good to hear a pack of big dogs working these systems again

[Fitz]

Music to a guy's ears! I don't dog deer but I hunt hogs and I agree just gettin my dogs out is more fun that takin a hog home for me. If doggin deer was legal in my state I'd do it too. But I can't so I hunt hogs.

[hudson]

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[hudson]

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[bowtech36]

Sounds like a good time. Glad your having fun kiwi.

[kiwi]

Hudson , that's Maggie and that part of her, those marks.
Got her off Steve up past Albury
Yes 53.5 is plenty big enough , Have a look back in there and look for Tom
Absolutely flies along , the dog at 3.25 mark standing broadside looking away next to Russell

[hudson]

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[TomJr]

Am I missing something? Because I don't see a link to a video...

[kiwi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrOy7nXB ... e=youtu.be
Tom JR , Here's the video link
Yes that's the same Tom , Jerry ,we lost to a mine shaft , He was nearly 2 i suppose and was a great dog in the making
Cold trail , good in water and pace to burn, By Geoff Maggs Hilux out of one of Steve Boyd's breed

[hudson]

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[kiwi]

Apparently Geoff shot a thumping big Moose on his travels this year, But no Maggie is also one of Boyd's breed
along with Marge who also we lost who was a cracker as well