We changed the traditional draw with very favorable results. Sweeping down to the Newman’s we cast along the creek parallel to Dry Mill Road heading north. Hounds found pushing hard along the creek bottom turn right handed up to the big woods behind Maintree.

The fox took advantage of the thick undergrowth carrying the hounds and field on a merry turn through the woods to Gore Lane turning left and back from whence it came only to swing around again toward Gore Lane. Hounds lost it in leading edge of the woods adjoining Maintree along side Gore Lane.

Having drawn, chased and recast through the woods twice we picked up and hacked over to Gore Lane. Cast into the woods on the south side of Gore Lane. Hounds struck almost immediately turning right handed toward the power line. At the power line the fox turned sharp left and crossed Canby Road into Singletree Farm.

The hilltoppers viewed Charlie crossing the road and ducking into the pinewoods at Digges Valley. Hounds worked out the dodge and picked up the line across the field into the pinewoods driving down to the creek at the bottom the line, faulted.

Cast left along the creek, nothing. Forward into the opening field and then back to the right. Charlie had been lying low in the thick multi-floral rose to the right. Loudoun worked out the line and pushed the fox back on its feet. He popped out along the fence line adjoining the pinewoods running hard back toward Canby Road. The pack was not far behind.

Held up Loudoun waiting for the pack to catch up, as they do the line is fresh and scent is sharp, hounds own this line driving hard back toward Canby Road. The fox turns left at Singletree Farm running north parallel to Canby Road. It then dodges hard right through a residential backyard near some cur dogs.

The cur dogs disrupt the hounds giving the fox an advantage as it drives back over Canby Road, the line faults at the road we cast forward across Canby Road and hounds reacquire the line. Straight along the power line, out by the Gordon’s, turn right into the woods along Gore Lane and then left again straight for Dry Mill road. The fox is under some pressure but has an advantage in this thick undergrowth.

Break out into the field we found in at the start of the day and hounds are at a fault. Cast left along the hedge row circling clock wise to find the line, nothing. Turn back into the woods to determine if hounds had overrun the line or if Charlie had gone to ground. Cannot account for the fox but he gave us a good run.

We have been out two hours, pick up the pack and call it a day.

Submitted by Solo Lord