Hunt Report: Misty River Hounds

Misty River Hounds
1369 Madison 1335,
Huntsville, Arkansas 72740.
Established 1989.
Registered 1991.
Recognized 1992.

Young Riders Enjoy A Banner Day

The next generation of Ozark foxhunters and coyote chasers mounted up Dec. 6 for the Misty River Hounds’ annual junior invitational foxhunt. Before their day ended, the 75 riders and guests enjoyed several wild runs, a viewing of a black coyote and an altercation with a mad momma cow.

MFH and Huntsman Dina Del Guercio selected only dog hounds for the day’s sport from her kennel of Crossbreds. With the blessing delivered, non-riding guests on the tally-ho wagon and hunters astride, Del Guercio blew to leave the meet. Three fields and the infamous tally-ho wagon followed.

Del Guercio made a wide circuit of the west hay field before hacking up Pasture Hill toward the first covert of the day. The hounds struck immediately below the Little Boy Pond. They ran screaming toward the Engineer Gate and down into Tracy’s Draw, scrambling hard in the rocks and brush. 

Misty River hounds Seabiscuit and Adam led the pack with their brass voices. First field, under Field Master Linda Brown, galloped furiously in the huntsman’s hip pocket across coops and down steep hills, staying with the hounds.
Second field, following Field Master Kendra Waldbusser, cut through a rocky pasture before dropping into Tracy’s Draw, often times at a heady canter.  Finally, riders had to slow to a fast trot due to thickly wooded undergrowth.  Since the older steady hounds Percival, Offer and Tripod continued to show interest, Del Guercio pushed toward Cal’s Pond until the line was lost. Sure they were on coyote, the huntsman moved onto the Green Bottle Road and worked the hounds hard to recapture the scent.

At the Blackberry Coop, Del Guercio’s confidence in her pack was rewarded with an unusual viewing.  A fine dark coyote was stretched out near the Blackberry Coop, sunning himself. Upon seeing the hounds, the fellow rose to his feet, watched the approaching hounds and hunters, then loped off.  The viewing delighted the first riders, and the raucous hound screams sent chills rippling among the rest.  The handsome coyote toyed with the hounds, pulling them down a draw and deep into the woods before disappearing.

In the flat Stony Creek Farm jumping pasture, the hounds were collected, the three fields merged and the tally-ho wagon rumbled up. It was time for the annual junior meet photograph. Del Guercio dismounted to talk with her riders and guests, encouraging the non-riders to bring a horse next year and praising the riders’ horsemanship. Second- and third-field riders were encouraged to school over the old tire coop while parents and friends snapped pictures.

Refreshed and encouraged, the field re-gathered. Del Guercio cast the hounds into the cane brake along the river pasture.  Hounds gave out a few squeaks but found nothing substantial.