THE CHASE MAGAZINE December 1982 - January 1983 Page Thirty-Two                                                                                       Part II                                                                                   HUNTING                                                                         Foxhound Characteristics                                                                       Ron B. Drake - Rt. 1-Box 443                                                                                  Woodstock, Al A top foxhound will locate a fox.  Some hounds will hunt in the direction they were first started often going several miles until a fox scent is encountered.  Other hounds will continue to hunt but will remain close to the cast area.  Often this hound will check back in for encouragement.  What is nice is having a foxhound which can find the game and does so with a style that suits you. The appearance of hunting is important to a field trial hound.  A hound hunting with a high tail, which seems busy, and keeps a medium pace will probably outscore another hound less obvious.   The ability to look in the appropriate place for game appears to be inherited. Hunting occurs at different stages during a trip afield.  Naturally, when the foxhound is first released, he or she must search or hunt before a fox can be located.  This is why hounds are scored at each hour during field trials.  A hound which would not hunt for a pleasure hunter throughout the trip would not be endured long.  Hunting also occurs during a race when a check or breakdown causes the pack to search for the line.  A poor hunter will occasionally let-up at checks and let a packmate find the line.  A quality hound will hunt for the line logically and silently.  He will swing-out looking for the game.  A lesser hunter will look or swing too far out and therefore will lose the fox when he has turned back.  It is important for the foxhound to use his intelligence and recognize the type of fox he is hunting.  A grey fox will act differently than a red fox or coyote!   Therefore a dependable foxhound will be foxwise.  The best hunter will search for game when he is tired.  Most readers of this article will agree that the foxhound which will look for another fox after which an all-night race is a true prize.  When a hound of this caliber is systematic in searching for game you will have a fox race.  Even the unnaturals will not prevent a good hunter from locating game.  At field trials where cars, trucks, humans, etc. interfere with foxchases, it takes high quality, intelligent, and skilled hunter to be effective.  This hound will be directed by his nose, uses fox sense in searching and will be consistent in finding fox throughout your trip afield. Carey asked me to give my opinion on hunting.  Hope it makes some sense.