Report on the February 2005 Melbourne Foxhunt
The fox for February was the VK3YDF team. The weather was cool and dry. Five teams took part in the hunts that started at Eastfield park in Croydon South. Due to the need for an early finish by the fox the hunts were started promptly at 8PM. All teams had turned up in time and were ready to go as soon as the fox was switched on.
The first hunt quickly took the hounds to a small linear park and bike track next to Dandenong creek in Boronia. The fox was located about 200m west of Colchester Road. (65D3) Most hounds entered on foot using the bike track rather than via the grass on the opposite side of the creek. Once the signal swung many hounds decided that the quickest way to the fox would be to battle through instead of go around the rather thick bush and blackberries. VK3BLN were first to the fox with all but one team finding the fox within the following minute or so. The VK3MZ team only just managed to find the fox before the time limit. Hounds regrouped at nearby Colchester park for the start of the next hunt.
The second hunt for the evening was located less than 1km away from the regroup location and was once again alongside Dandenong creek. The fox was located in scrub at the end of the bike track. (65G5) A number of teams tried to enter via an equestrian centre (effectively private property) and were turned back and told to try another way in. VK3BLN were once again first in followed a few minutes later by VK3YQN and VK3MZ. VK3OW and VK3VT followed only a couple of minutes afterward. Hounds regrouped again at Colchester park.
The third hunt was on the south east edge of a disused retarding basin and bush area also less than 1km from the regroup location. The 2005 edition of the Melways actually has this marked. (65F3). While there were a couple of easier ways in, all teams decided to bash their way through scrub from the opposite corner of the retarding basin. VK3BLN were once again first in followed shortly after by VK3YQN.
The remaining teams found the fox only a couple of minutes later. Teams regrouped for a third time at Colchester park.After some brief problems with getting a signal running hunt 4 took the hounds some distance to the top of a hill next to the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road in Upwey. (74J4) Regroup location was a nearby Petrol station (no, not in Colchester park!) The VK3YQN team were first on the scene with the VK3MZ team arriving a couple of minutes later. None of the other teams found this fox within the ten minute time limit.
For the second last hunt for the evening the fox was located in scrub just south of the bike track not far from a Railway Bridge in Belgrave. (75E10) While most teams entered via the bike track, David and Marta from the BLN team decided to enter from the railway bridge side and battle through the rather thick greenery. After much cursing came in for third place with VK3OW. Bruce from the VK3YQN team were first in from the Bike Track followed a few minutes later by Geoff from the VK3MZ team.
For the supper hunt the 10 minute drive-off rule was used. The fox was located next to Ferny creek in Upper Ferntree Gully not far from Ferndale Road in a proposed park area. (74G10) Easy access was available via a windy track, both ends of which were available off Ferndale Road. Still many teams decided that going through the scrub was better than sticking to the track. Despite their bush bashing the VK3BLN team were first in followed a few minutes later by VK3OW who appeared to come in from a different direction than the other hounds. VK3YQN found the fox just a couple of minutes before time had elapsed. There was no sign of VK3MZ and VT teams could not find a suitable way in.
Supper was held in nearby Ferntree Gully at the QTH of Steve, VK3YLE. Adam VK3YDF ran the supper as Steve was overseas at the time. Hounds were treated to Chilli chicken strips and Kangaroo Sausages and a variety of other goodies. The winner for the night was the VK3YQN team only just ahead of VK3BLN. VK3VR/MZ, VK3OW and VK3VT teams took the minor placings.
The fox for March will be the VK3YQN team.
| Team | Hunt 1 | Hunt 2 | Hunt 3 | Hunt 4 | Hunt 5 | Hunt 6 | Total | Place |
| VK3YQN | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 1 |
| VK3BLN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 2 |
| VK3MZ | 9 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 29 | 3 |
| VK3OW | 1 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 32 | 4 |
| VK3VT | 2 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 44 | 5 |