by Barbara Peterson
Tejon Hounds Inaugural Hunt WEEK-January 18th-25th
Masters Lynn Loydand Angela Murray alongwith first flightmaster Mary Tiscornia traveled for our Amwell Valley Hounds annual Hunt Ball. It was a beautiful evening at the Blue Moon restaurant when it was suggested that some mightwant to join them on the first joint meet northof LosAngeles at the Tejon Ranch located in Lebec California. The ranch is 270,000 acres or 423 square miles of privately held land in which the Tejon Ranch Companyholds. It hasbeen in tacksince 1843, changing hands only3 times. This companypursues cattle ranching,orchards,crops, huntingof boarand elk andfor the first time ever Coyote hunting on horseback.Tejon hasmany full time staff thatoperates the vastproperty. One of which, is ScottNeill from New Zealand andnowthe Master Huntsmanwith Tejon Ranch along with hisnew pack of hounds. Invited were the Red Rock Hounds,SantaFe Hounds,Grand Canyon Hounds alongwith their Paradise Valley Beagles. Inall, 75 riders joined in the inaugural joint meet hunt. Our groupconsisted of 7 riders and 3 spouses,2were large farmers in the New Jersey country side who enjoyed the agriculture practices in the area. We would ride incredible openslopes in the commencementof the Serra mountain range. It was as if youturned back time 100 years tosee the vast amount of open space andlifestyle of those who operated the ranch.
We startedour 8 dayadventure with 6 daysof hunting in this vastacreage. The runningof coyote is an adventure as the coyote tendsto run longer, straighter andmuchfaster than the fox. When theyare fatigued, rarely dothey go to ground.The Tejon coyote had rarely been chasedby mounted horses before andso our fun began.
Each day we were up at 6:00am and met at the Equestrian Center by7:00 am where the Red Rock houndsprovided 20exceptional horsesfor the riders. It was amazing to watch Angela andLynn the Masters of the Red Rock Hounds;match the mount torider, all with similes anda tidbitabout each horse. Ready to loadthe trailers we were off 10 miles down the road tothe first fixture. Tejon Ranchspans 40 miles onHwy route5. We traveled down the valley into the Grapevine area where orchardsof pistachio trees, almonds trees, and miles of vineyardsandberry bushesgathered in grovesand vineyards. As we approached the Valley of the Grapevine area, the Old Headquarters South Fixture was closed in bythe Tule fog traveling down the valley. As we were delayed bythe fog, It was a goodtime to check our mountsand chat with all the gathering of varioushunt members from aroundthe country. The gathering of hunt members from aroundthe USA were from California, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Kansas,Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona and New Mexico.
East meets West became clear when we were off on our mountsand the ground was riddled with rocks, sage brush, holes andtundra causing each horse to find its own path.It became very clear that the horsesknew howtohandle their footing.Anyone who did notbelieve in their mount,foundit terribly hard toride. Trustyour steed was the key for this hunt. Master ScottNeill the Huntsman for Tejon Ranch cast hispack in the fog onlyto watch them feather due to the conditions.As we continued south, the fog began to roll in again,so thick youcould barely see the ground.The hounds founda fresh line of scent which allows them to get onterms with the coyote and they were gone andso was the huntsman. Losingsight of the houndsandhuntsmanthe first flight riders’traveled fast throughthe sage brush trying tofind ourway. Lost in the white mist we lookedfor the pack for over an hour, off in the distance we heard the muffled soundof the hornblending in with the soundof cows, moving quickly to find our pack we ran intosecond flight.The fields were lost in the mist andso it was decided with impossible sight conditionsto call it a day.Lunch was provided on the range; the hospitality of the Tejon Ranch staff provided outdoor gourmet food andtraveled with tables and chairs, ourown porta-potty to each fixture.
Monday,Red Rock Houndsfixture was Old Headquarter North Fixture, outof the valley and into the slopesof the mountainsused mostly bycattle grazing. We started off with a fast hotline fresh as could be, butthe bit of wind lifted it upmoved it andit rose well providing the fantastic pack of houndsa grand chase of scent.The packran close together,lead houndsknewtheir job, the houndsroared and tookus straightup the side of the mountain. Horses sofit and keen thatfirst flight hada long fast gallop of many miles. Leading first flightwas KatyMathews, from Amwell Valley hounds, who was onMaster Angela Murray’s horse. We came to a check, the houndswatered at an old well surroundedby a 1940 truck andsecond flightcaught up.Lynncast again, the houndsworked up a valley and down onlyto hit again. Itwas an all outrun; the houndsstretched flat with powerful loins andsterns behindthem, with their longsloping shoulders showing the wisdom of goodconformation. The big chests allowed roomfor huge lungsand a heart girth. It was amazingto see horseand houndtravel these mountain slopeslike a well tunedFerrari. We flew up anddown the mountain the musicfilled the air. These hounds’sterns waving eagerly pushed over 4lines for 3 hours. Itwas unbelievable. We all returned with ourindividual stories to share.
WednesdaySanta Fe Huntjoined usat the Edmonston Pump Plant Roadfixture. We drove all rigs down long dirt road toan area where the ranch had400 cattle in pens,preparing for spring shots andmedical checks. Itwas like turningthe pages backto the old west with cowboyson their ranch cattle horses, herding dogsandcamp style kitchen near the pens.We mounted up androde through the gate to the open foothills andvalley of this grazingarea. It was a fast ride as Master Terry Paine zoomed with his SantaFe houndsaroundthe valley looking for prey. No scent was to be found.We traveled aroundthe valley and watched as his amazing packmoved through the open area. While out onthe range, our supporthusbands [the New Jersey farmers] turned their attention tothe old west andwatched as the cattle herd brokethrough the holdinggates. A stampede started downthe valley toward the horse trailers. Within minutesthe cowboyspacked upthe herd,and returned themto their pens.It was a sight to see, as the cowboysdid their job well. Lunchwas catered by the SantaFe Huntwith beautiful table décor andfabulous food.Our newMaster CindyNance had the great honor of celebrating her birthday on the range in style.
Thursday: Corporate staff, Brian Grant,Joint Master and VP of ranch Operationsat Tejon Ranchhosted a tour of the ranch sharinglong range plans andreview of wildlife, plantsand strategies for the future of the vastholdings. What a place,
Friday,we had a lovely day with Master Amanda Wilson,huntswomen for the Paradise Valley Beagles Pack.The fixture was in the valley of the St Andrea Fault.This area is known as the high desert valley, located in the southernend of the ranch.We traveled south about 10 miles on Route 5to the 300th Street Road. The valley was wide andwhen pointed outyoucould see the St Andreas fault line along the lower part of the ridge of a small range [name]. I was worried thatif an earth quake happened what would the ground do? SHAKE- RATTLE andROLL, I was told
The black-tailed jackrabbit also known as the American desert hare, is a common and the Jackrabbit of the western United States.It is found at elevations from sea level to up to 10,000 feet. Reaching a length of about 2 feet, 12 inch ears and a weight from 3 to 6 pounds, they occupy shrub-grassland terrains.
HuntingJack Rabbit is hunting prey unlike the fox or coyote which are predators. The hare will survive more often than notif it is still and if it sticks to its warren. When youhunt a fox youhunt the scent line which is somuch stronger than the hare scent. AmandaWilson’s beagles pack had3 sight houndsfolded into the pack tohelp the Beagles have sight andfocus when the Jack Rabbit poppedfrom its warren. They foundmanyin the sage tundra and brush.The jackrabbit when discovered would popoutand run in fast long circles. It was short spurt of energy but theyhad the ability to find safety quickly.It was a sunny beautiful California day;the hare provided goodsport and keen movement.
Saturday, The Grand CanyonHounds tookusback to Old HeadquartersSouth fixture, an area of open foot hills with cattle grazingalong the ridge andorchard grovesto the south. The dayproved tobe perfect for scent.If the groundis the same temperature as the air, the scent should be good, if the ground is cold, there won’t be much scent at all. The wind was cool enoughto keep today’s scent low, butenoughpuffs tohave the scent rise. Peter Wilson,huntsmanof the Grand CanyonHounds,started to drawthe covertof the sage tundra in an area about a half hour ride from the gathering of trailers. The houndsfanned out quickly,he urged them onand they never tooktheir noses off the ground. The houndsresponded immediately to their huntsmanandwere willing to move onwhen asked. Peter allowed his pack towork the area slowing and again moving south. As he sawthem gain confidence he provided time for the pack to dotheir work. Suddenlywe heard two strike houndsspeak,more drew to the area andconferred with the scent,the pack grew excited and beganto scream. Abruptly,over to the left a coyote under the tundra popped upand beganits run. The coyote is so elegant, quick and intelligent. To watch the chase up close was an unbelievable experience for the hunt field. The coyote ran its heart out andso the chase began again andagain. We had manylong runson 6visible prey, up and downthe valley foot hills, the horsesknew their game, usedtheir hunches to steadyfull out gallops downhill. Never before hadI witnessed hound work soexciting. Just when you thinkhunting can be predictable, something happens to make youunderstanda bit more of the role of the huntsmanand the talent these houndshave in their sport. And to the coyote; these predatorsare fast, smart andhave the ability to tire outthe entire team of hunters, houndsandtheir steed. Nothingis more than exciting than 100mile views of open space,45 minutegallops anda glimpse of the prey youare chasing.This hunt provided a thrill of a life time.
Saturday nightwe were hosted to a lovely cocktail party at the Tejon RanchHacienda , a lovely home with two master sweets and living room,den library area with a large conference diningroom. Paul Delaney, Master andowner of the Grand Canyon Houndspresented a slide showof the developmentof the Grand Canyon houndsterritory andbreeding program.This presentationwas given at the MFHA whipper-in seminar.Their fixtures of 80,000acre grazing pastures, theyfound it necessary to blend in a few Suluki houndsas a cross breed for the gain of more sight,speed and assertivenessin the ½ bred hounds. Foldedinto the pack these houndshelped push forward with sight andquickness, necessary for pursue of the coyote in thisterritory. The Grand Canyon Hounds were an amazinggroupof people who were friendly, generousand smart.Strong friendships hadbeen madethroughout the week and true respect from the Eastcoast fox hunters, in understandingthe difference in chasing coyote from fox.
Sunday was our last dayto hunt, the fixture was down in the valley toward Grapevine, it did notlook goodas we were faced with the rolling in of the Tule fog which gets sucked in through the vastmountain range and coversthe valley. We waited for over an hour for the fog to lift. The experienced Master, Scott Neil was patient. He was the huntsmanand Master for 3different packsin New Zealand, the
Northland Hunt,Rototua& Bayof PlentyHunt andMaramarua Huntand finding his way to the
Australian Ellerslie Camperdown Hunt.Every huntsmandevelopsa pattern that suitshis pack.They must use their voice andhorn tolet their houndsandthe staffs havethe ability to follow their direction. He made the call, 18 couple of houndswere waiting on the trailer. Hounds were released and Neil thundered down the pathwhere clods of earth were seen flying behindhim. He cast his houndsand they worked their way upthe side of the slope. We started upthe hill to follow and the old manfog startedto roll again,hard to see Master Neil moved on.The coyote hunting rushis incredible, every nowand then something happens andyouhappen tobe a part of it. I thinkthat is what hooks us all. In the end it was a hard call, with nosight the day was called. With heartfelt solongs anda taste for more to come at next year’s Tejon’s Ranch joint meet. It is an invitationfor all toenjoy.
Tejon Hounds Inaugural Hunt WEEK-January 18th-25th
Masters Lynn Loydand Angela Murray alongwith first flightmaster Mary Tiscornia traveled for our Amwell Valley Hounds annual Hunt Ball. It was a beautiful evening at the Blue Moon restaurant when it was suggested that some mightwant to join them on the first joint meet northof LosAngeles at the Tejon Ranch located in Lebec California. The ranch is 270,000 acres or 423 square miles of privately held land in which the Tejon Ranch Companyholds. It hasbeen in tacksince 1843, changing hands only3 times. This companypursues cattle ranching,orchards,crops, huntingof boarand elk andfor the first time ever Coyote hunting on horseback.Tejon hasmany full time staff thatoperates the vastproperty. One of which, is ScottNeill from New Zealand andnowthe Master Huntsmanwith Tejon Ranch along with hisnew pack of hounds. Invited were the Red Rock Hounds,SantaFe Hounds,Grand Canyon Hounds alongwith their Paradise Valley Beagles. Inall, 75 riders joined in the inaugural joint meet hunt. Our groupconsisted of 7 riders and 3 spouses,2were large farmers in the New Jersey country side who enjoyed the agriculture practices in the area. We would ride incredible openslopes in the commencementof the Serra mountain range. It was as if youturned back time 100 years tosee the vast amount of open space andlifestyle of those who operated the ranch.
We startedour 8 dayadventure with 6 daysof hunting in this vastacreage. The runningof coyote is an adventure as the coyote tendsto run longer, straighter andmuchfaster than the fox. When theyare fatigued, rarely dothey go to ground.The Tejon coyote had rarely been chasedby mounted horses before andso our fun began.
Each day we were up at 6:00am and met at the Equestrian Center by7:00 am where the Red Rock houndsprovided 20exceptional horsesfor the riders. It was amazing to watch Angela andLynn the Masters of the Red Rock Hounds;match the mount torider, all with similes anda tidbitabout each horse. Ready to loadthe trailers we were off 10 miles down the road tothe first fixture. Tejon Ranchspans 40 miles onHwy route5. We traveled down the valley into the Grapevine area where orchardsof pistachio trees, almonds trees, and miles of vineyardsandberry bushesgathered in grovesand vineyards. As we approached the Valley of the Grapevine area, the Old Headquarters South Fixture was closed in bythe Tule fog traveling down the valley. As we were delayed bythe fog, It was a goodtime to check our mountsand chat with all the gathering of varioushunt members from aroundthe country. The gathering of hunt members from aroundthe USA were from California, Georgia, Nevada, New Jersey, Kansas,Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona and New Mexico.
East meets West became clear when we were off on our mountsand the ground was riddled with rocks, sage brush, holes andtundra causing each horse to find its own path.It became very clear that the horsesknew howtohandle their footing.Anyone who did notbelieve in their mount,foundit terribly hard toride. Trustyour steed was the key for this hunt. Master ScottNeill the Huntsman for Tejon Ranch cast hispack in the fog onlyto watch them feather due to the conditions.As we continued south, the fog began to roll in again,so thick youcould barely see the ground.The hounds founda fresh line of scent which allows them to get onterms with the coyote and they were gone andso was the huntsman. Losingsight of the houndsandhuntsmanthe first flight riders’traveled fast throughthe sage brush trying tofind ourway. Lost in the white mist we lookedfor the pack for over an hour, off in the distance we heard the muffled soundof the hornblending in with the soundof cows, moving quickly to find our pack we ran intosecond flight.The fields were lost in the mist andso it was decided with impossible sight conditionsto call it a day.Lunch was provided on the range; the hospitality of the Tejon Ranch staff provided outdoor gourmet food andtraveled with tables and chairs, ourown porta-potty to each fixture.
Monday,Red Rock Houndsfixture was Old Headquarter North Fixture, outof the valley and into the slopesof the mountainsused mostly bycattle grazing. We started off with a fast hotline fresh as could be, butthe bit of wind lifted it upmoved it andit rose well providing the fantastic pack of houndsa grand chase of scent.The packran close together,lead houndsknewtheir job, the houndsroared and tookus straightup the side of the mountain. Horses sofit and keen thatfirst flight hada long fast gallop of many miles. Leading first flightwas KatyMathews, from Amwell Valley hounds, who was onMaster Angela Murray’s horse. We came to a check, the houndswatered at an old well surroundedby a 1940 truck andsecond flightcaught up.Lynncast again, the houndsworked up a valley and down onlyto hit again. Itwas an all outrun; the houndsstretched flat with powerful loins andsterns behindthem, with their longsloping shoulders showing the wisdom of goodconformation. The big chests allowed roomfor huge lungsand a heart girth. It was amazingto see horseand houndtravel these mountain slopeslike a well tunedFerrari. We flew up anddown the mountain the musicfilled the air. These hounds’sterns waving eagerly pushed over 4lines for 3 hours. Itwas unbelievable. We all returned with ourindividual stories to share.
WednesdaySanta Fe Huntjoined usat the Edmonston Pump Plant Roadfixture. We drove all rigs down long dirt road toan area where the ranch had400 cattle in pens,preparing for spring shots andmedical checks. Itwas like turningthe pages backto the old west with cowboyson their ranch cattle horses, herding dogsandcamp style kitchen near the pens.We mounted up androde through the gate to the open foothills andvalley of this grazingarea. It was a fast ride as Master Terry Paine zoomed with his SantaFe houndsaroundthe valley looking for prey. No scent was to be found.We traveled aroundthe valley and watched as his amazing packmoved through the open area. While out onthe range, our supporthusbands [the New Jersey farmers] turned their attention tothe old west andwatched as the cattle herd brokethrough the holdinggates. A stampede started downthe valley toward the horse trailers. Within minutesthe cowboyspacked upthe herd,and returned themto their pens.It was a sight to see, as the cowboysdid their job well. Lunchwas catered by the SantaFe Huntwith beautiful table décor andfabulous food.Our newMaster CindyNance had the great honor of celebrating her birthday on the range in style.
Thursday: Corporate staff, Brian Grant,Joint Master and VP of ranch Operationsat Tejon Ranchhosted a tour of the ranch sharinglong range plans andreview of wildlife, plantsand strategies for the future of the vastholdings. What a place,
Friday,we had a lovely day with Master Amanda Wilson,huntswomen for the Paradise Valley Beagles Pack.The fixture was in the valley of the St Andrea Fault.This area is known as the high desert valley, located in the southernend of the ranch.We traveled south about 10 miles on Route 5to the 300th Street Road. The valley was wide andwhen pointed outyoucould see the St Andreas fault line along the lower part of the ridge of a small range [name]. I was worried thatif an earth quake happened what would the ground do? SHAKE- RATTLE andROLL, I was told
The black-tailed jackrabbit also known as the American desert hare, is a common and the Jackrabbit of the western United States.It is found at elevations from sea level to up to 10,000 feet. Reaching a length of about 2 feet, 12 inch ears and a weight from 3 to 6 pounds, they occupy shrub-grassland terrains.
HuntingJack Rabbit is hunting prey unlike the fox or coyote which are predators. The hare will survive more often than notif it is still and if it sticks to its warren. When youhunt a fox youhunt the scent line which is somuch stronger than the hare scent. AmandaWilson’s beagles pack had3 sight houndsfolded into the pack tohelp the Beagles have sight andfocus when the Jack Rabbit poppedfrom its warren. They foundmanyin the sage tundra and brush.The jackrabbit when discovered would popoutand run in fast long circles. It was short spurt of energy but theyhad the ability to find safety quickly.It was a sunny beautiful California day;the hare provided goodsport and keen movement.
Saturday, The Grand CanyonHounds tookusback to Old HeadquartersSouth fixture, an area of open foot hills with cattle grazingalong the ridge andorchard grovesto the south. The dayproved tobe perfect for scent.If the groundis the same temperature as the air, the scent should be good, if the ground is cold, there won’t be much scent at all. The wind was cool enoughto keep today’s scent low, butenoughpuffs tohave the scent rise. Peter Wilson,huntsmanof the Grand CanyonHounds,started to drawthe covertof the sage tundra in an area about a half hour ride from the gathering of trailers. The houndsfanned out quickly,he urged them onand they never tooktheir noses off the ground. The houndsresponded immediately to their huntsmanandwere willing to move onwhen asked. Peter allowed his pack towork the area slowing and again moving south. As he sawthem gain confidence he provided time for the pack to dotheir work. Suddenlywe heard two strike houndsspeak,more drew to the area andconferred with the scent,the pack grew excited and beganto scream. Abruptly,over to the left a coyote under the tundra popped upand beganits run. The coyote is so elegant, quick and intelligent. To watch the chase up close was an unbelievable experience for the hunt field. The coyote ran its heart out andso the chase began again andagain. We had manylong runson 6visible prey, up and downthe valley foot hills, the horsesknew their game, usedtheir hunches to steadyfull out gallops downhill. Never before hadI witnessed hound work soexciting. Just when you thinkhunting can be predictable, something happens to make youunderstanda bit more of the role of the huntsmanand the talent these houndshave in their sport. And to the coyote; these predatorsare fast, smart andhave the ability to tire outthe entire team of hunters, houndsandtheir steed. Nothingis more than exciting than 100mile views of open space,45 minutegallops anda glimpse of the prey youare chasing.This hunt provided a thrill of a life time.
Saturday nightwe were hosted to a lovely cocktail party at the Tejon RanchHacienda , a lovely home with two master sweets and living room,den library area with a large conference diningroom. Paul Delaney, Master andowner of the Grand Canyon Houndspresented a slide showof the developmentof the Grand Canyon houndsterritory andbreeding program.This presentationwas given at the MFHA whipper-in seminar.Their fixtures of 80,000acre grazing pastures, theyfound it necessary to blend in a few Suluki houndsas a cross breed for the gain of more sight,speed and assertivenessin the ½ bred hounds. Foldedinto the pack these houndshelped push forward with sight andquickness, necessary for pursue of the coyote in thisterritory. The Grand Canyon Hounds were an amazinggroupof people who were friendly, generousand smart.Strong friendships hadbeen madethroughout the week and true respect from the Eastcoast fox hunters, in understandingthe difference in chasing coyote from fox.
Sunday was our last dayto hunt, the fixture was down in the valley toward Grapevine, it did notlook goodas we were faced with the rolling in of the Tule fog which gets sucked in through the vastmountain range and coversthe valley. We waited for over an hour for the fog to lift. The experienced Master, Scott Neil was patient. He was the huntsmanand Master for 3different packsin New Zealand, the
Northland Hunt,Rototua& Bayof PlentyHunt andMaramarua Huntand finding his way to the
Australian Ellerslie Camperdown Hunt.Every huntsmandevelopsa pattern that suitshis pack.They must use their voice andhorn tolet their houndsandthe staffs havethe ability to follow their direction. He made the call, 18 couple of houndswere waiting on the trailer. Hounds were released and Neil thundered down the pathwhere clods of earth were seen flying behindhim. He cast his houndsand they worked their way upthe side of the slope. We started upthe hill to follow and the old manfog startedto roll again,hard to see Master Neil moved on.The coyote hunting rushis incredible, every nowand then something happens andyouhappen tobe a part of it. I thinkthat is what hooks us all. In the end it was a hard call, with nosight the day was called. With heartfelt solongs anda taste for more to come at next year’s Tejon’s Ranch joint meet. It is an invitationfor all toenjoy.
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