In his book, Beagling and Beagles, written in 1931, J Otho Paget proposes a solution for encouraging those uninitiated in the fieldsport: “Let them go out two or three days with beagles and they will soon find the hunting fever has only been hidden by the absence of opportunity.” Nearly a century on, Otho Paget’s advice is just as pertinent. Lockdown and the time it has afforded for reflection means that many have realised how unfulfilling their way of life has been. This has resulted in a sea change towards uncomplicated, outdoor-based pastimes. And while social restrictions persist, there are few better opportunities to embrace this newfound desire for individual freedom and the countryside than to go beagling.
Planning requirements are refreshingly minimal. There’s no forgetting to book a time slot for the sports hall or realising your kit bag is still in the house as you turn up for a lesson. You don’t even have to worry about cleaning your tack, buying more cartridges or replacing lost flies, as you would with other fieldsports. To go beagling, you can simply decide on the morning that you have the inclination to follow hounds and off you go (although during this season it may be best to double check with the relevant pack on safety measures first in case you are required to book in). An added bonus is that, as meet times tend to be 12pm or later, you have a few extra hours to lie-in, shake off a hangover and fuel yourself with a fry-up to last the day.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 2020-Ausgabe von The Field.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 2020-Ausgabe von The Field.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
A sweet-pea Summer
Sweet peas are enjoying an Instagram moment’ but to appreciate fully these charming flowers one must hasten back to the real world, says Ursula Buchan
Top sporting stays
Effortlessly smart and with superb shooting and fishing on the doorstep, these British hotels are the perfect base for fieldsports enthusiasts, says Madeleine Silver
Tradition with a twist
Showcasing the finest British produce from honey, beer and butter to game and venison, this month’s trio of dishes truly encapsulate the taste of Britain, says Philippa Davis
Daylesford
Organic farming at its finest
The best of British breeds
When it comes to developing and establishing the world’s most popular gundog breeds, Britain has a lot to be proud of, says David Tomlinson
Ping and you're winning
An email alert for burgonets coming to auction draws Roger Field’s attention to a promising lot. Meanwhile, a sale from novelist John le Carré’s estate temporarily raises an eyebrow
Saving the queen of flowers
Trailing clouds of glory into your garden, historic roses are as vital a part of British heritage as a Gainsborough painting and must be preserved
Long live the sporting pub
Not just a place to drink, the right kind of country pub is a beacon for fieldsports enthusiasts. The Star Inn in Harome is one such spot
The sole survivors
An increasingly casual attitude to what we wear has given rise to the so-called dress sneaker’ but proper gentlemen's shoes will never go out of fashion
A win in the willow
The cricket bat industry is steeped in tradition yet must move with the times to meet demand, opening a lucrative door for landowners in the process