A case for a combined foot and mounted pack near St. Louis…

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Prologue

“And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat next to ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, nor howl, nor whine, but kept on a “yo! yo, o, o! yo! yo, o, o!” at the top of their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, some of them in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. The old horse snorted and looked eagerly after them, and we young colts wanted to be galloping with them, but they were soon away into the fields lower down; here it seemed as if they had come to a stand; the dogs left off barking, and ran about every way with their noses to the ground.” ~ A Sewell from Black Beauty

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Chapter two of Black Beauty opens with the protagonist witnessing a hunt pass through his village, during which the hounds search for their quarry, a hare.  Hunting rabbits and hare while mounted has never been rare in the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe.  Nor is the tradition absent from hunts in the New World. In fact, there is a very active mounted beagle pack in Middleburg who have been hunting for 60 plus years.  Hunting rabbits and hare astride a horse is as traditional as as fox hunting.

Reasoning

Missouri has recently experienced new and drastic changes for fall and winter deer hunting. As of 2023, the season dedicated to hunting deer represents 28 days and 8 weekends, mid – October through mid – December. And during this time, pursuing fox and coyote is not permissible. Even with special permitting, fox hounds run the very real risk of disrupting deer hunters on neighboring properties. Unfortunately,

Most field sports enthusiasts would agree — the months of October through December represent the prime time for for being in the field. With fox hunting effectively closed, what are our alternatives for taking to the field? One option might be looking to another breed of hound.

A small pack of beagle or basset hounds to complement our fox hunting activities may offer us more options in terms of where, when, and how we hunt during the fall months.  Hunting rabbits with hounds during deer season is allowed in MO.  Further, the likelihood that beagles or bassets might stray into neighboring properties would be vanishingly small. Further, they might offer a change of pace in which participants can observe a closer – quarters perspective where the bay of the hounds and view of the quarry occur practically underfoot.

Hounds that hunt closer – in may also serve a good platform for training and educating new staff and children.  We might likely find new fixtures open to us — both on private and conservation land — serving to diversify our hunting experiences. Ultimately, our time in the field may go uninterrupted. The Bridlespur might hunt a pack of beagles or bassets easily (and legally) with little chance of interfering with neighbors.  Places like the Grass Highway, Hog Farm Lane, and the Blue Barn offer very good game in the way of rabbits. (BHC Map)

Woodbine Hunt:

A Local Namesake

Why Woodbine? The early days of mounted, traditional English fox hunting in St. Louis actually lies within the history of a club almost no one remembers. The whole idea of the English style of hunting began, apparently, with a robber-baron Anglophile named JD Lucas. (Lucas) Having lived his life in the urban environs of the city of St. Lous, he resolved to retire to the country to breed racing horses to compete at the Kinloch Race Track (among other places).  The name of his breeding barn was Goodwood Farms, producing thoroughbreds In interviews with local newspapers, he made mention of acquiring hunting hounds with the wish of living out his life as a Country Squire. (Hounds) He did just that. In fact, various St. Louis newspapers made mention of his hunting trial runs, which often included hounds making forays into the urban neighborhoods of Old North St. Louis City. (North City Hunt) The sudden appearance of these hounds and galloping rider left residents nonplussed and local reporters with more questions than answers.

Lucas was not contented to hunt his hounds alone. What is the point of being a country squire if you have no one with whom to hunt one’s hounds? Lucas, the apparent democrat, invited the broader equestrian community to join him in his adventures. He even enticed participants with prizes like handsome whips. (Trail Hunt Club)

The popularity of the new sport caught on and soon the Lemp and Busch, families jumped in. (Beer Barons)  Together, they established the first club house in Kinloch, as well as a fixture on the east side of East St. Louis City. Later, the club developed a fixture, originally described as the hunting grounds along Gravois Road — which of course became the familiar Grant’s Farm.  (Grant’s Farm) Incidentally, Bevo Mill was the “layover” spot for the Busch family returning from hunts, located along Gravois road on the way home to Busch family residence in the city. (Woodbine Hunting)

One of Lucas’ employees was a top-notch Irish horseman and dandy named John S. Bratton. (Bratton) He was the one who seemed to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the club and seeing to the hounds.   It would appear he had a bit of a temper and was seemingly responsible for a donny-brook that took place at the clubhouse in East STL.  In fact, his temper briefly put him at war with the US Naval Reserve, resulting in the death of one sailer. (Naval Battle)   Though his public persona paints him as a bit moody and temperamental, he was remembered and memorialized favorably among the STL horse community.

Lucas unfortunately passed not much after his retirement and establishment of the Woodbine Club. (Lucas’ Death)  It appears that his passing created a power vacuum which invited infighting and animus among the members.  After Lucas’ estate and the clubhouse were sold (Farm Sale), the East St. Louis clubhouse became the primary fixture. It was at that clubhouse that something untoward occurred. What started the row may be lost entirely to history, but it appears to have involved threats and possibly violence. The police were involved and there were arrests. (Feud) From this moment all hunting seemingly ceased.

In 1926 The Woodbine Club closed officially and the Busch family founded The Bridlespur the following year. (New Club)

Bunny Hounds In STL

The Gateway Area has been home to various packs of hounds whose quarry were rabbits and hare. From farmer packs to traditional Britannic approaches, bunnies have offered good game. The Bridlespur Hunt had, for some time, curated a basset pack.  This pack was featured prominently in area newspapers as a thriving part of the club’s sporting activities.   The bassets served to engage people who were not equestrians as well as folks who had, either permanently or temporarily, retired from the hunt field.  Often these hounds hunted concurrently with the foxhounds at the main fixtures while also hunting separate fixtures of their own. (Bridlespur Bassets)

The Woodbine Club chased rabbits and hare as much as they did fox. In fact, the most exciting stories of their adventures involve their pursuit of bunnies. (Woodbine Hare Hunting)

Three Creek Bassets has been the mainstay of traditional footpack hunting for years. Though, sadly, the future of Three Creek’s hunting near St. Louis appears to be uncertain.

Engaging Youth and Novices

Capable and seasoned hunt staff are difficult to come by. Engaging youth and novice adults presents a steep learning curve with hounds that run great distances and quickly. Working with a closer – in hunting breed would afford us the opportunity to train up staff under easier conditions.  Work and practice could be done at line – of – site and within earshot of the huntsman.  Further, practice and education may be done on foot and in the off – season.  

A mounted beagle or basset pack has proven to be an outstanding arrangement for introducing young riders to the sport (e.g. Orange County Beagles).  Beagles and bassets could be the focus on the occasional youth – led hunts, especially during deer season.  This might also give members who are less confident (e.g. new or returning riders, guests, prospective members) a lower – key experience of hunting.   

Broadening Hunt Fixtures 

Few available natural areas in our region afford sufficient space for hunting with fox hounds. It is the way of the fox or coyote to cover wide territory when being pursued. Suburban sprawl has prompted the retirement of several fixtures over the years. The Woodbine’s original three clubhouses have long since been replaced by fully developed municipalities. The Bridlespur’s original clubhouse and stables still stand, but surrounded by neighborhood driveways, yards, and homes. The second fixture is now hemmed in by recent recent development that forced the club’s more recent move to Eolia.

Hunting with beagles or bassets might drastically improve our options for hunt fixtures. Many public grounds managed through the Missouri Department of Conservation are open specifically to hunting with gundogs and hounds during the months MO deer season such as Whetstone Creek, Forest 44, and August A. Busch. Smaller, private grounds and revisiting old fixtures such as those once hunted by Meramec Valley further broadens our options.

Reflection

Our fall days that are available for hunting continue to dwindle with no sign of reversal. It seems time to consider new ideas and reconsider some old ones. Hunting beagles or bassets is an old idea that may help us bridge a gap in our season which sometimes feels like a chasm. I realize what I have shared here offers more questions than answers. Of course we have many important issues to consider and resolve. However, it seems like a good time to start a conversation.