After a quick dinner, Charlie, a local trapper, took us out by moonlight to check his trap line in Meadow Canyon. Charlie had seen our hounds move through Meadow Canyon that day, right where his trap line lay. Based on the way the hounds were moving, and the area they were in, Charlie suspected that they had lost the original coyote and picked up a mountain lion. He was concerned that returning hounds might be caught in one of his bobcat traps. How Charlie found his traps in the pitch dark is beyond me, but he dead reckoned to every one flawlessly. None held hounds, but Charlie insisted on setting all the traps off just in case a hound came along. It took 72 hours, but all of our hounds came in unhurt and returned safe and sound to Reno. We can't wait to return to Belmont for our next hunt. Now that she is more familiar with the country, Lynn plans to be a bit more conservative hunting the foothills, but none of us would have missed that first hunt in the Toquima Range north of Belmont. Obligatory Politics The political notes for this longwinded newsletter will be limited to a recommended Website. It is http://www.stewardsoftherange.org/ At this site you will learn about Wayne Hage and his lawsuit: Hage v. United States, currently before the court of Federal Claims. Wayne owns a ranch just north of Belmont and runs cattle on the adjacent BLM allotment. We met Mr. Hage at the BelmontMonitor Inn and had a fascinating conversation concerning his views of the government acquisition of private land in America. Wayne believes that the environmental movement is a front for government desire to acquire national resources in order to collateralize international debt incurred by the US government beginning as long ago as the Civil War. Sound interesting? Whacky? Maybe true? Find out more through Stewards of the Range. If you don't have a computer and are seriously interested in learning more about your private property rights in America, you can write to Stewards of the Range, PO Box 1189, Boise, ID 83701. Ride On Red Rock

Just a word of thanks to all the bold spirited, spontaneous people who call themselves members of the Red Rock Hounds. Trips like the one to Belmont would not be possible without you. This year our fixture card includes four extended meets, each involving hundreds of driving miles. Then comes the Western Challenge, where this year we will travel to Flagstaff, Arizona to hunt our hounds. Our members do not balk at these road trips. They don't complain about the long drives or the inconveniences that inevitably accompany travel. To the contrary, Red Rock Hounds members revel in this stuff. They pack their clothes and their horses and holler, "Lead on, Lynn Lloyd!". You should know how much your enthusiasm and relentless participation mean to our Master and Huntsman. We all know that Ms. Lloyd is somewhat freakish in her essentially savage pursuit of opportunities to hunt her hounds anywhere, anytime. What you should also keep in mind is that it wouldn't be nearly as much fun to do all by herself. Let me take this opportunity to tell you that Lynn is always, sincerely, and wondrously appreciative of the gung ho spirit of her hunt members. You've heard her say it, and it comes from the heart, " I couldn't do this without you." Best Wishes to you all for a joyful New Year. Accept the Red Rock mandate for 2002: Support our economy: Spend more on hunting! Lynn Lloyd would love to hear from you E-mail