Hunting Wednesday February 25th, 2009 – 10:00AM
Calhoun County Illinois, Burch Farm

Huntsman: Eleanor Hartwell (Max)

Whips: Jill Wagenknecht (Modesty), Gene Deutsch (Gus), Lee Deutsch (Belle)

First Field: Tess Fleishli (Waffles), Robert Mihlbaugh (Fitzwilliam), Stephanie Mihlbaugh (Maximus), Jean Mutrux (Pee Wee), Leslie Granger (Lucy DoD), Sue Marshall (Stretch), Charles Burch.

Second Field: Deb Hogan (Styx), Maggie (Oakie), Guests Gwen and Suzanne.

More than two hounds

GPS readings 7.73 miles – 1 hrs 43 minutes moving, 1 hr 14 minutes stopped. Moving average 4.5 mph. Max speed 16.7 mph. Total time 2 hrs 57 minutes.


It was a cool morning but the weather was warming up fast. The temperature was already up to 51 when we started and was 62 when we finished. The winds were mild and from the south (about 9-11mph). The barometric pressure was falling. The footing was pretty good which as a good thing as we were in plowed fields much of the time.

This was my first trip to Calhoun. I got to the ferry a little early but Jean Mutrux was already there and Gene Deutsch was right behind me. We filled up the ferry for the trip and then stopped and waiting for more people on the other side. Next ferry had Robert and Jill on it. Once we were all gathered, we headed north up the Mississippi river road. We parked at an old farm house that is on the Missouri River Road just north of the road to Burch’s house.

We started out West toward the river. Eleanor worked the hounds in the drainage areas where there was some cover. We stayed in the fields. After working west for a while we headed south toward Burch’s driveway. We then headed north and went through the woods which had a lot of little drainage ditches as we went down the hill. Then Eleanor got off her horse to go into the thickest, steepest covert down to the river. We went around and went past a couple of old houses. One house had a beautiful view of the river. We waited there and eventually Eleanor came up the hill from the river. She remounted her horse and then headed north. No quarry was heard or seen although there was lots of deer and turkey.

We then went over to Wittmond Hotel for lunch hosted by Charles Burch. It is an old hotel and restaurant that had been built by his great great grandparents back in 1885. We had ample food and the best part was the fried chicken which was like real home pan fried. I also loved the home made sausage. The dessert cobblers were fantastic. It was definitely worth the trip and the Burch familyare the ultimate hosts.