Commonly heard terms while out hunting.

A few of the most commonly heard terms out hunting explained.

• Cap - The daily charge for non-subscribers (Please offer your cap, do not wait to be asked for it)
• Casting - When hounds are looking for the line they are said to be “casting”.
• The Huntsman may direct the hounds then he is casting.
• Check - When the hounds lose the line.
• Couple - Two hounds. Also two collars linked on a chain seen hanging on the hunt staff's saddles.
• Covert - Pronounced “cover” - the place where the huntsman thinks the line might begin.
• Draw - To send hounds through a covert to find.
• Field - The mounted followers.
• Field Master - The person who leads the mounted field during the days hunting.
• Foil - Any smell or disturbed ground which spoils the scent line of the quarry.
• Line - The scent left by the quarry.
• Speak - Hounds do not bark, they speak or give tongue when they are hunting a scent.  
• Antis Although all Hunts comply fully with the Hunting Act the anti-hunt monitors still grace now and again with their presence.

(Photo Credit Lynne Shore Photography)