The Kincardineshire Foxhounds - Report
 

REVIEW OF 2001/2002 SEASON

by Richard Holman-Baird,Huntsman 15/3/2002

        

FOOT AND MOUTH EPIDEMIC

We were eventually given a licence by SEERAD to recommence hunting under MFHA rules from the 17th December. As Scotland's youngest Hunt we were pleased to be issued with licence number 001.

CONVENTIONAL DAYS

Unfortunately, the Season was rather short, but for all that enjoyable and we managed to kill a fox above ground, which was better than most years.

The attack on conventional hunting by the Scottish Parliament is most unfortunate and will be contested by all legal means until exposed as a most flawed piece of legislation.

KEEPERS' DAYS

We have had our most prolific Season ever. I suspect that this is a direct result of Foot & Mouth restrictions limiting fox control in the Spring and therefore allowing more foxes to breed than normal . It is interesting to note the instant rise in the fox population and one wonders what effect predation will have in the future on Scotland's wildlife with our Scottish Parliament's rather misguided Protection of Wild Mammals ( Scotland ) Bill.

The effectiveness of the use of hounds for fox control is undeniable and I reiterate the comments which I made last year.

  • We now have a lot more experience as to where foxes lie on Estates.
  • Hounds this Season have behaved impeccably, which means that less time is wasted on each draw.
  • The Keepers have more experience as to where foxes run when roused and have been a lot more accurate, so we have had very few breakouts, with a few notable exceptions !!

INVITATION DAYS

Unfortunately, the effects of Foot & Mouth in the Border area meant that it would not have been prudent to take hounds South. It was a great shame as I know that our week in the Borders is becoming more and more popular. Let's hope for better things next year.

DRAFT HOUNDS

Masters have again generously supported us this Season. The quality of the hounds now being drafted to us is superb and Hunts now have a good idea of the type of hound which suits us. A new pack to us is the Eglinton and they have given us several very useful hounds for the future.

TERRIER WORK

The importance of a good terrier man can not be stressed enough and we have really missed Richard Bourne on the days he was unavailable to come out with us this Season. The consequence has been a larger number of concluded hunts with no result for the tally.

KENNEL VISITS

If any individual or group would like to visit the kennels, or would like me to come to them, I would be very happy to arrange this. Many people in the North East have never been close to hounds and personal contact is the most efficient way to increase the Public's knowledge of our role in the countryside.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

We have again been approached by Shows wanting to have the spectacle of hounds and horse in the ring this year and we are happy to oblige.

POLITICAL SITUATION

All that can be said is that the situation is fluid and the future uncertain, although our resolve is unwavering. All Scottish Hunts hope to hunt again next Season, in as near a way as possible to their present practice.

Please remember to support MSPs who are supporting the countryside in the forthcoming Scottish Elections. It is important that we have people in Government who are prepared to listen to the countryside minority and stand up for us, now and in the future.

CONCLUSION

A good hunting Season, marred by factors out with our control. I look forward to being able to hunt conventionally next Season and to more tolerance of the countryside from some of our more blinked politicians.