Plain Hunting

1	The basics of plain hunting involve all odd numbered bells moving one step at a time out to the back where you do two blows and then turn round and move one step at a time to the lead, again for two blows, then turn again, etc. The even numbered bells do the same thing but start by moving towards the front.
2	The most important thing therefore is to count your places – to know where you are and where you are going.
3	It is very helpful at the same time to know who you should be following and you can then observe yourself passing the other bells as expected but without relying on them. The order you’ll meet them falls into the sequence known as the coursing order which for seven working bells is: 2 – 4 – 6 – 7 – 5 – 3 – 1 The same pattern applies to any number of bells. If there are less remove those not involved, if more add the extra bells in the same sequence. (So for nine bells it is 2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 9 – 7 – 5 – 3 –1 ) You obviously ignore your own bell in the coursing order but that position has a use in that it marks where you will be leading or lying at the back.
4	The only question now remaining is where do you start in the sequence? Bell 1 - Move towards the back – first bell to follow is no 2 Bell 2 - Into the lead (2 blows) then move towards the back – first bell to follow is no 4, unless hunting on 3 when it is no 3. Other even numbered bells - Move towards the front – first bell to follow is the one physically three places to your right. Other odd numbered bells - Move towards the back – first bell to follow is the one immediately on your left. Unless you are the last in line, in which case - One blow in your start position following the bell two to your right, then move towards the front.