Changes afoot in the Forest

Once a respected foxhound pack, the New Forest are now bloodhounds. We find out why and discover what it's like to be their quarry

- WILL CURSHAM

New Forest, Godshill, Hants

STANDING in the middle of the New Forest in nothing more than underpants and socks may be an unusual position for a hunting correspondent to find themselves in, but there are times when a good story needs to be pursued, and the recent history of the New Forest hounds is certainly such a story.

This is a hunt that only two seasons ago converted from being a pack of foxhounds to a bloodhound pack. This would be a momentous change for any hunt, but especially so for the New Forest, a pack fabled for the quality of its hounds during the era of the legendary master and hound-breeder Sir Newton Rycroft (1962–1984).

In 2020, however, the committee of the New Forest hounds made the decision to change this famous foxhound pack to a bloodhound pack. Why they did this – and, more importantly, how they are faring having made these changes – were two questions well worth investigating.

My first opportunity to find out more was at a pre-hunting supper hosted by New Forest committee member Piers Fitzwilliams, his wife Georgie and their daughter Tilly. Most of the hunt committee were there, including Judy Sharrock, Mike Squibb and Colette Bunch, as well as joint-masters Will Day and Carol Lovell.

“Nearly 100% of the land we hunt across is managed by Forestry England. After the ban in 2005, we completed 16 seasons of trail-hunting, with few or even no problems,” explained Will Day.