Masters of the hounds Robbie Cumming and Nick Boulton are on the right scent with drag hunting.By Kath Gannaway
BLOODHOUNDS have a reputation for being almost impossible to shake once they are on a scent.
According to Robbie Cumming, master of bloodhounds at Yarra Glen and Lilydale Hunt Club, that, and their affable temperament, makes them perfect for drag hunting.
The bloodhounds were introduced into the club specifically for drag hunting eight years ago by chief huntsman Nick Boulton.
The club still hunts with fox hounds but drag hunting has provided an alternative – fox hunting without the fox.
A trail is laid over a specific course prior to the event and the hounds need very little encouragement to follow the scent – riders hot on their tails.
While the club has had to move the traditional hunt further afield, Mr Cumming said dragging was perfectly suited to the Yarra Valley countryside.
“We saw a future in drag hunting because you are out for just two hours, don’t have to travel far and can have the horses back home and bedded down before dark,” he said.
The thrill of following the hounds is integral to the experience.
“There’s nothing more exhilarating than the cry of the hounds hunting and with drag hunting it’s something everyone, including the dogs, can enjoy,” he said.
Mr Cumming said although the dogs are born sniffers, they still have to be trained to hunt.
“They all have the desire to hunt, but the skill is in teaching them to hunt for a specific purpose, which is what Nick has done.
“Without his expertise we would be lost,” he said.
The hunt club is holding a weekend of hunting and dancing next month with a hunters pace event and the hunt club ball on Saturday, 18 August, followed by a drag hunt on Sunday, 19 August.
For further information, or to register for the weekend events, phone Nadine Wood on 5962 5709 or 0419 898 425.
