Hunting Wednesday Sept 19, 2007 08:30AM
Busch Wildlife Area

Huntsman: Eleanor Hartwell

15 couples

Whips: Jill Wagenknecht, John Korenak, Gene Deutsch, Lee Deutsch,
First Field: Leslie Ayers (fieldmaster), Tess Fleishli, Lei Ruckle, Sue Marshall, Leslie Granger, Werner Kugler, Gerda Kugler, Debbie Hogan, Beverly Stevens

GPS readings 8.17 miles 2 hrs 04 minutes moving 48 minutes stopped. Max speed 14.3 mph
Moving average 3.6 mph

It was a beautiful but warm day. Coats were waived in favor of polo shirts. We parked at the maintenance shed where we normally meet. Eleanor decided to take off from there so we unloaded our horses. The temperature started at 71 degrees and increased to 86 degrees. Barometric pressure was steady and it was sunny. The ground was dry. Winds were light from the Northwest.

We started out in thick grass behind lake 15. The hounds worked hard but there was no scent to be found. We mostly walked the entire time with a little trotting here and there. It was basically a nice trail ride. A good experience for the five year old horse I was on. We were out about three hours.

Gene brought after hunt refreshments but I couldn't stay. Had to get in to work.

Report from Eleanor:

My hunt report for today? Worst days hunting I have had in a LOOOOOOOONG time. Blank. Totally blank. The puppies did not even look at the deer. 15 couples, and 90% of the time I had 95% of them in sight. No amount of cajoling, foot stomping, Get in the Bushes would get them to even draw! Oh Well. Mama said there would be days like this. Good thing was that I had my new horse who has been roading exactly twice, and he was perfect. Anyone looking for a staff/field masters horse? He is too big for me (16.2, long way up there) OTTB, 6 yr old geld. Goes in a snaffle. Not sure he would go well behind....we shall see, someday. Jumps correctly, but green.

Eleanor
BSH