Courtesy of Paul Delaney
The Grand Canyon Hounds hosted dinner for all—about 35—at the home of Jt.-MFH, Paul Delaney. The next day was to bring not only the third and last day of hunting on the WHC tour in Flagstaff, but also the closing of our first season.
The following morning we cast at 8:30 from our Cinder Lakes fixture, which has been successful for us as we have pursued there coyote, gray fox, and mountain lion. With 30—40 mph winds gusting off the surrounding hills, hounds had to work hard over our dry cinder soil, resulting in several short chases. After several hours, the final line of the day was a feat of hound work for our small pack. Hounds ran a short distance before checking and drawing back in to find if they were running heel. The huntsman, Colleen Auberle, then brought them back on, and they ran forward through several checks and across a sighted grey fox which was not their quarry. After collecting hounds and taking them back towards water, the hounds quickly re-opened, almost certainly on the same quarry, and pursued at speed for a good run. The coyote took hounds up a cinder cone and down before losing the line. Our hounds were congratulated and hunted back toward trailers, 4 ½ hours after casting.
A warm hunt breakfast was consumed quickly by those traveling on to Colorado to continue the tour as the rest of us lingered on for several hours making plans for next season.
We thank all hunts that drafted our 6 couple of hounds and all those who have supported us during this year of organization. We have been very successful and were honored to take part in the Western Hunt Challenge.
Sue Caskey and Colleen Auberle returning with the hounds
Field returning
Fieldmaster Stephania Williams (scarlet ) and the field
Marie Davidson
Susie Stevenson