El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-11-15
(By Frederick ]. Haskin.)

! ton of the fox hunting world di-
= rected toward Crab Orchard,
| Kentucky, where the National Fox
| Hunters association will hold its sew
! enteenth annual meet. This associa-
! ton was formed in 1894, with rear adj
miral James E. Jouett, of the American
navy. as its first president Ali inn
portant foxhunting events in the Unit
/ ed States since then have been held
under the general conditions laid down
| bv this association. The registry books
/ of the fox hounds of the United States
! are kept under association auspices,
and the rules under which dogs are ell
| igible for registry are made by it.
1t is estimated that there are more
than SO organized fox hunting associa-
lions In the United States, with as
many packs of hounds. In addition TO
! these there are hundreds of private
packs of from five to % couples, and
throughout the south the hunters OF
different communities frequently bring
their hounds together for neighbor-
hood chase. AS an organized sport,
fox hunting is of compare lively recent
| origin, growing into public favor after
the passing of the wolf and wild boar.
The first pack of hounds kept eXclu-
sively for foxes was founded in 1850,
and is today the Belvoir pack of Eng
land. The first fox hunting club in the
United States was organized in Glou-
cester Massachusetts, in 1865, and the
second was the Brooklyn Hunt club,
formed in 17S1 The Montreal Hunt
club of Canada was organized in 1925.
Varies In Different Sections.
Fox hunting varies widely in differ
ent parts Of the United States. In
the eastern states, where the big hunt
clubs are located, the sport takes the
bred after English standards constitute
the packs, and all of the fashions and
customs of the clubs are modelled after
English standards. In New England,
fox hunting takes the form of shooting
the foxes. When the fox goes by
we'll directed shot is relied on to end
his flight. The southerner would have
no patience with such a procedure. He
regards the fox as an animal made for
sport, and If he succeeds in eluding
the hounds he is entitled to his lib
erty.
In the south, little attention is paid
to the confirmation and appearance of
the fox hounds. The thing the south
ern fox hunter is most interested in.
is that his dog shall give Sir Reynard
the chase of his life. He cares little
whether he has any pedigree, appear
ance or anything else that is pleasing !
ance without limit, a musical voice |
when in full cry, and a readiness for |
the chase at all times, his owner is |
ready TO assert that his dog is indeed |
the best in the state
SOutherner Knows the Fox.
The southern huntsman knows the /
running habits of the fox to a nicely. |
He seldom rides after the hounds, but !
cuts across country to place where he !
may watch the fox go by with the !
hounds close at his brush. He is also /
fond of night hunting, and will I'M
hesitatingly declare that no sound is
so sweet as the musical bay of a pack
of southern fox hounds in full voice.
He has no more patience with the east
ern custom of drag-hunting than the
eastern drag-hunter has with, his sys-
tenn of watching a chase. IN drag
hunting an anise seed bag, or a sheep
skin kept in a tame fox's cage, is
dragged over the ground and the hounds
taught to follow the trail. Drag hunt
ing is popular with the business men
of the east who have not the time to
wait for the dogs to uncover live
fox ~
~ Foxes show Their Cunning.
There are many unsettled questions
with reference to fox hunting. 1t is
claimed by some that the foxes learn
TO run in relays. One fox will lead
the chase until he is we'll winded and
then give it over to another. 1t is re-
lated by the Western Field that upon
one occasion party of fox hunters
were pursuing a fox. When Reynard
had almost reached the limit of ex-
haustion, he ran into hollow log and
apparently waited until the dogs were
upon him. Then he shot out the other
end of the log and ran with the fleet
ness of the wind. Again he showed
signs of WEAKNESS, and ran into a
gully, where he disappeared until the
dogs arrived on the scene. Once more
he jumped out, apparently refreshed
by his moments rest and able to run
fast ter than at any previous time in the
chase. Still another time this same
performance was observed, and by then
the hounds were nearly exhausted. This
time the fox circled around TO the
original hollow log, disappeared into
it. and then out again. One of the
hunters gave up the chase at this point
and investigated the hollow log. A fox
ran out. He IS convinced that sys-
tenn of relay racing had been estab-
Eished by the foxes.
The red fox is said to be the fleetest-
footed of all the animals in civilized
Combining with this
feetness of foot cunning and sagacity
that has made his name synonymous
with these traits, he very often is able
TO outwit his pursuers. Sometimes he
will find it advantageous to take to
reading" He is aware of the fact
that dust is the poorest conveyor of
scent to be found. and will keep the
road for many miles. turning out only
to allow travellers to pass. 1t is said
also that tried fox is more often lost
han a fresh one. The fresh fox trusts
% his heels for safety, while the tired
)ne brings all his strategy into play.
Sometimes he will walk on fences; at
,ther times double his trail; and at 9TH
n times make for plowed fields Many
ales are told illustrative of his cum
ling outside of the chase. Some of
hese, of course, are apochryphal. One
lunter declares that a red fox stole
me Of his decoy ducks and used it in :
lis own behalf Another writer says /
hat the fox, when infested with fleas,