"So, Gianni, how did the opening go?". "Good! We found two. Really two beautiful actions! Unfortunately I had to sacrifice one! " - Gianni's tone of voice is lowered by an octave - “she was also an adult female”, and her regret comes to me through the mobile phone. For those unfamiliar with Gianni, his words would sound very strange! Gianni is a friend who lives in that corner of paradise located on the border between Lazio and Abruzzo. We met in an extra-hunting context, but, thanks to the passion for dogs and hunting, a relationship of mutual sympathy and esteem was immediately established. Defining Gianni a lepraiolo would be an understatement: his great passion for hare hunting it is supported by the enthusiasm and dedication it has towards its hounds.
After having listened with transport to the details of the opening, I gladly accept Gianni's invitation for the next release. The day does not bode well: the sky threatens water and looks very credible.
We are in the province of Rieti, on the border with Abruzzo. We decide to beat an area that is 1500 meters above sea level. Today Gianni will field his beautiful pack of Italian hounds, four adults and two puppies of about seven months.
Once loose, the dogs immediately intercept the nocturnal pass. "This morning the dogs are feeling well" Gianni tells me "you will see that it will not take long to find her!". After finding the eagle in a narrow clearing, Kelly, the old woman of the group, is the first to interpret the intricate odorous trace, soon followed by the other members of the pack. The juxtaposition is soon echoed by the thunderous bark of the scovo, which is the background to the proud smile of the conductor. “Let's stay here” Gianni suggests to me “now the hare could divert upwards towards Giancarlo or… if the dogs have a good following, you'll see that he comes back right here!”.
We stop to listen to the merry-go-round of noisy hounds chasing their prey. “Here they come !!”. Twice the hare passes in front of us, chased by the dogs, but never leaves the path that runs along the edge of the beech forest, so it never reveals itself before our eyes. After a couple of steps, the hare takes a direction that leads the dogs well away. “Iiuugghh” Gianni emits a very particular verse, which his pack knows well. After less than a minute the six hounds return to his feet, greedy for caresses. I am impressed by the excellent connection of the auxiliaries with their conductor, and I congratulate him.
We move the pack higher, looking for another groundbait. The dogs soon find the track. Gianni finds the facts of more than one hare, in addition to those of roe deer. “Roe deer and wild boar must be a big problem for the hounds,” I observe. "Problem?! Heaven wish there were more! " Gianni answers, leaving me not a little perplexed. Then he explains “It is thanks to them that some hare are saved! And only the correct dogs do not get distracted and focus on the hare. If there were no ungulates, the hare would be really at risk! ”.
While we make these considerations the dogs quickly abandon the groundbait to begin the approach. The appearance of the hare in our eyes anticipates the dogs' henchman by a few moments. Gianni hesitates in taking up the rifle, intercepts my inciting gaze and decides to explode two close shots. The result of the shot was inherent in the lack of conviction with which it had been prepared. Even Giancarlo who is higher up tries the shot but in vain.
Shortly after, a third hare found by the hounds gives us hope for one last time, but, despite a long following, the big ear does not reveal itself in front of the rifle barrels.
The day ends with a hearty lunch, during which, as often happens, we recall the events of the morning of hunting. "The game bag is empty" - concludes Gianni, with a tall glass - "but I am absolutely satisfied with the beautiful actions that my hounds have given us". He seems almost happy not to have embodied the hare ... indeed, he is!
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