It's always surprising. After years of hunting, the first music of the day still gives me chills. The four littermates worked slowly, noses to the ground, tails feathering. Huntsman Max told us they were four of his best. We could see and feel his pride. The lead hound was speaking. One by one the other hounds came down off the bluff to honor.
I was right behind the huntsman. When MFH Barb asked if I would stand in as honorary field master for the day, I wanted to hug her neck. This is THE SPOT for an avid hunter. The day began at Peggy Knight's gorgeous hunt box. There were about 25 in the field. Five PC members drove 3 hours to join us. As we hacked toward dripping springs, Huntsman Max encouraged us to trot our horses in big circles. He wanted us warmed up in case our first run took the field up the newly cleared bluff trail, a straight up climb. The hounds were anxious. Scent was strong. Whipper-in Julie had seen a coyote early that morning very near our first casting spot. When we reached the round bale field, "the coyotes spend time here" stated Max, the hounds couldn't wait any longer. They raced up the bluff searching persistently for the fresh line.
As the others joined the lead hound and his littermates from the bluff, they never lifted their noses as they worked back and forth. Where did he go? Hard work paid off as they found his scent exiting the round bale field into the creek bed. We took off, crossed the creek and followed the music south.
As we left the trailers, Huntsman Max said, "this day has the potential to be very fast", and he was right. I heard one member in the field say, "I don't remember a hunt this fast". We hunted mostly to the south. Max stopped 2-3 times throughout the hunt to re-organize with his whipper-ins. He would give the field permission to school the cross-country fences, only after their horses were rested. Halfway through, MFH Barb met us with the hound truck, and reunited the whole pack. Max invited PC member Virginia to back whip for him and off we went. After the hunt, a junior said, "I thought the hunt was over, then Miss Barb showed up, released the hounds and I was so happy we would get to keep hunting"!
For three hours, we listened to the hounds voices, galloped to keep up, only stopping when it seemed like we could go no further. We watched the hounds work, viewed at least 2 bald eagles and gorgeous vistas. During the few times we walked, I listened as Huntsman Max told hound history and heritage. I learned we hunted a July hound and an english couple are close to being entered. Before casting, Max would explain to the field what was happening. "These two hounds fight in the kennels, and are hunting together today" Max chuckled as he made the observation.
When the huntsman blew “going home”, we were almost too tired for dismount.
I thought “this was one of the best hunting days I can remember” and when I turned to see all my girls grinning, I knew it was true. 
