The Quantock Hills Autumn Walk From Holford, Part 7, 'The Sound Of The Hounds As The Petrified Deer
Channel: semw52
Date: 2019-11-23

Adrenaline is flowing as I walk faster than usual down through Somerton Combe--I can hear the howling of the hounds and it sounds like more than 2---there is a disturbance among the gnarled trees as I spot deer rushing  about--escaping---escaping the hounds and the huntsman's gun, escaping the  quad bikers, the riders---Peace  gone in the Autumn sunshine and amidst golden leaves --The hounds quieten down--all is quiet and then silence---I move softly and slowly on the brown crispy carpet of Autumn leaves whispering to the deer huddled in a terrified state with just  small ears twitching---listening----not moving a muscle or a hoof---they stare at me with big open eyes asking 'are you safe for us?'---yes I say as I pass by---A little further after the Does I spot a group of stags--yes stags---clinging to the sloping hillside together as pals--knowing that one of them has been chased --hounded-----beautiful Earthlings under attack--no gentleness about this so called 'Cull' -----its barbaric and brutal----a chase to the death---kettled and cornered and meat for someone's plate this Xmas...….Apparently the hunt is monitored, controlled--a controlled killing--premeditated murder of peaceful creatures-----But we must also beware of the poachers---those that sneak up and also steal our Holford friends--------a crime indeed...…….Somewhere in my family tree I have a relative back several 100 years who was a judge and a magistrate and condemned  people to death--including poachers but he himself hunted the deer and apparently he wore his  death cap on his hunts--he was known as Blackcap---I have others also judges who rode with the Hunt but way back in the past----no more --not for a long time---and that's how the hunt should be --NO MORE...….."The TimesThey Are A Changin" sang Bob Dylan OR Are They ???