Banded Fox Horn

[TN Longhunter]

I once called then hunting horns but now that seems to indicate a small day horn. I made my first blowing horn when about ten years old out of a longhorn my dad found in a thrift store for a dollar ( it was a few years ago). I found this horn at a monthly Pickers weekend in Illinois last year while working in the area. Good day as I found three blowing horns that day, all for less than $15. This is the first banded blowing horn I have found. Small, carved mouthpiece, lead or babbit band at the smallest part of the horn and a horn band at the bell of the horn. Friction fit as it is not pinned. Not the greatest tone but not bad for a small horn. There is initials "MHV or Y" and "Maury Vi?" On the mouthpiece. Again never saw a fox horn signed.
I

[Tim Crosby]

 Neat, nice find. I have seen other old ones with a band at the base.

    Tim C.

 Second look: the lettering, enlarged it to 900%, looks new and well formed, as if it was done by a machine, also thinking if it was old it would be dark, from handling. Also think the pewter/lead/babblt would be darker. Just my 2CW. TC

[TN Longhunter]

Had the horn a year and just saw the lettering a few days ago. Has to have the right light at the right angle to see it. Seemed almost like it was done with an electric pencil. Very rough. Photoshop does wonders in bringing out hidden stuff.

[Natureboy]

  I got a blowing horn when I was about 12, because Robin Hood (Disney) had one.  I would step out into the back yard and blow it, and listen to every dog for 1/2 mile barking.

[TN Longhunter]

When my son was four (now 36) we would go to period camps. He was obsessed with wolves. At night I'd blow the horn and every coyote in the hills would let loose. He loved it.

[iloco]

I have had a horn for years.  My grandfather used one to call his dogs in off a fox chase when time to go home.
 I have always called them a dog horn.  First time hearing them called a Fox horn.
I have found some are eaiser to blow than others. 

[Gun Butcher]

Iloco, different parts of the country hav different tags on them. Here in south eastern Kentucky all I’ve read heard them called was Fox horn.

[John SMOthermon]

In Alabama we referred to them as Fox Horns as well.

Used to Call in the dogs.

[David R. Pennington]

I grew up in a fox hunting family. When ever we were raising pups I would blow the horn every time I went in the kennel to feed (it was often as not my job). This was all that was needed to train them to the horn. They new that sound. I would like to have a hound or two again someday. Miss that hound 'music'. Those ole hounds were some of the best natured animals. The old dogs would help train the pups. I could lead 20 hounds at a time with them coupled in pairs on the leadstraps with no trouble. They were trained not to pass me and would march along in double file stretched out behind me coming down the cow path out of the kennel. If a nose passed my leg it got a swat from the leadstrap. You would couple a pup with an old dog and the old dog would keep the pup in line.
Next morning after a nights hunt you could couple the hounds together and they would lead themselves back to the kennel and would be waiting for you standing each one by their respective runs.
Good old days!
I am thinking of all the things I learned roaming the woods at night chasing the fox!

[Natureboy]

  There is a beautiful passage in "The Education Of Little Tree," where the old man lets his hounds out to chase foxes, and he can understand what the hounds are saying.  He doesn't necessarily want them to catch the fox, but only to enjoy the moment.

[Robby]

The Genesee Valley Hunt Club runs their hounds in the woods behind my land five or six times a year and knowing no boundaries the hounds come right up to my shop door in their search. No problem, I have given them full access anytime,  I get much enjoyment from the spectacle of sight and sound, beautiful animals! I have been out hunting many times and had the pack completely surround me in their search, so intent on their mission they act as though I am not even there, when they strike on a fox, it is really something to see and hear. Some of those gals decked out in their riding regalia are a sight to behold as well!
Robby

[David R. Pennington]

We didn't practice the aristocratic style hunt on horseback with fancy riding habits. We hunted primarily at night. Wild foxes are mostly nocturnal. It was all about listening. You could tell where each hound was in the chase by their voices. They all strove for the lead. Some were faster than others, some had better noses and were smarter at figuring out the foxes tricks. You recognized their voices. We didn't want to catch the fox. We wanted to chase him again. Rarely did the hounds ever catch one, but if they did you couldn't find enough of him to get a pattern from.

[Robby]

They're not aristocrats, just regular folks that enjoy hunting with horses and hounds.
Robby

[David R. Pennington]

Robby no offence intended.

[Robby]

None taken David, I enjoyed your talk about the hounds!!!!
Robby