Coyote, wild boar and red and grey foxes will be quarry for former Tetcott huntsman Andy Boznan when he joins the Tennessee Valley hunt this week.
After four months of negotiations with US immigration, Andy set off to the south-western state on 14 September and cubbing starts today (17 September).
“I have eight couple of new entry that have not even been on couples yet. But I am really looking forward to it,” said Andy.
This is not Andy’s first foreign posting. For the past year he has hunted the Barwon hounds in Victoria, Australia.
Before that he was employed by the Surrey and North Sussex Beagles, East Sussex and Romney Marsh hunt, Marlborough and District Beagles and the Farmers’ Bloodhounds.
“Again I had visa issues in Australia,” he told H&H. “I would have loved to stay on, but there was no way I could.”
The Tennessee Valley hunt Pennmarydel hounds — similar to a large harrier.
“Last time I was over we hunted a coyote for around 25 miles,” said Andy. “Hunting boar and grey foxes will also be a new challenge for me.”
The Tennessee Valley are about to construct purpose-built kennels and “plan to be the American Beaufort”, added Andy.
Joint-master Carla Hawkinson said: “Andy’s experience and enthusiasm are a good fit with our field and staff.”
This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (15 September, 2011)
