Advice for a first-timer

[Damsen]

Hi all, just wondering if some of you hunting experts would be able to help me!

I'm hoping to hunt for the first time this winter, and I dont really know what to expect! I have absolutely no idea about hunting! My local hunt is the Hurworth Hunt in North Yorkshire.


If anyone has any advice on what to wear, what to expect, terms/ phrases used, what on eath a cap/field money is, or tips on getting my horse hunting fit please share!

I'm very nervous indeed, but can't wait to get out into the field!
Thank you

 

[L&M]

The 2 stickys at the beginning of this page should help - 'Advice for newbies' and 'Hunting terms for beginners'.

Enjoy!

 

[Damsen]

Thanks, they are very helpful!

Could anybody give me an idea of how much it will cost me to hunt?
Thanks

 

[meesha]

go asap as it will still be autumn trailing/hunting so only out a few hours (usually 7 or 8am) and normally slower paced/no jumping - remember - you dont have to stay out till the end - you can leave at any time - if you leave early say goodnight and ask for directions home.

To wear - black boots, beige jods, tweed jacket, shirt and tie or stock (not cream), black silk over hat. plain dark (not pink) numnah, no need to plait for autumn trailing. Red ribbton in tail if kicker if not then green to show you are new (electrical tape is great!)

As long as horse is hacking fit - ie. can do couple hours hack easily you should be fine.

Turn up (ask for parking suggestions when speak to hunt sec. as they may like you to park away from the actual meet slightly)
Say good morning to everyone
Hand money to hunt secretary
Always follow field master (he/she shoud be pointed out to you)
keep head of horse towards hounds as they pass and always make way for master/hunt staff
Stay at back for first time
Smile and enjoy (I forgot to smile the first couple of times, have the hang of the stupid grin now though !)
Say goodnight and thank you when you leave.

Hope this helps, it all seems very overwhelming the first time and you really dont know what to expect but its great !! watch out though its addictive !

 

[Damsen]

Thank you Meesha, very useful information!

 

[meesha]

Cost can differ hugely - in Somerset Autumn Trailing is £10-£20 and main season (usually after end Oct) is £40 - £60 !! Most hunts will allow you to go quite a few times without subscribing and some will let you hunt as many times as you like without subscription.

 

[Damsen]

Ok, thanks Meesha.
But I'm still a bit confused about the money!

So normally you would pay a subscription, but I don't need to the first few times? Is that a yearly fee type of thing?

So for now, I only have to pay a daily fee?

Also, you mention autumn trailing and main season, forgive me but I dont really know what you mean!

Forgive my ignorance, but I don't know much about hunting and I'm trying to learn before I go!!

 

[VoR]

Autumn trailing, early morning, a few hours to exercise the hounds, fairly sedate as trails are laid in a small area.

Main season, begins in November, 11am(ish) start and tend to stay out much longer, longer trails, faster pace.

 

[meesha]

It is confusing but all makes sense once you have gone - basically you pay each time you hunt - up until end oct it is alot cheaper £10 to £20 a go and after that more expensive £45-60 a go.

Some hunts only allow you to go to a certain number of hunts before you have to pay a full subscription. The subscription is paid up front for the whole season or possibly for half a season and then you can hunt as many times as you like. Sorry if its confusing - I am sure VoR can explain it a little better !

 

[Damsen]

Oh I see, so once you've paid the subscription do you still pay each time?

Thanks for all your help guys!!

 

[meesha]

If you ring your hunt sec. they will be able to tell you how it works with their particular hunt.

You can normally pay once and hunt as often as you like or alternatively pay a smaller subscription and then pay a reduced amount each time you hunt.

When you call your hunt sec. the amount you pay each time will prob be referred to as the "cap" - have a look at http://www.westsomersetvalehunt.co.uk/caps.html its one of the best hunt websites I have seen for explaining it all !!!

 

[Potato!]

Yes you still have to pay a cap each time you go but its quite a lot less than just going for the day. Best thing to do is to contact the hunt sec of the hunt you want to go with and they will be able to help re costs etc

 

[combat_claire]

Oh I see, so once you've paid the subscription do you still pay each time?

Thanks for all your help guys!!

Basically you can pay the day cap and come out with the pack for a day. Normally you can only have 3 or so day caps per season before they ask you to pay a subscription. This is handy for the occasional day mounted or as a taster to see if you like it before subscribing.

Once you have paid a subscription then you can hunt as often as you like and only pay field money which is around £10 or £15 per day. Some packs allow you to pay your field money up front with the subscription.

Many packs nowadays offer a special subscription for 5, 7 or 10 days hunting across the season. Here you get a book of tickets. You hand one ticket to the secretary with your field money at the start of the day.

There will also usually be discounts for children and associates (Under 25s).

Hope that helps make it a bit clearer.

 

[JenHunt]

Hi! You'll be hunting with oh and I then if you're going with the Hurworth! Have you spoken to carol p? If so she will help you understand the money part.
Oh and I are easy to spot because of Ron's markings! Looking forwards to meeting you!

 

[JenHunt]

Oh and as meesha says, if your horse is fit enough for a couple of hours brisk hack then autumn hunting will be a good way to get ready for the season. I usually start with Ron on the rooms side and have shortish days until he's ready for more.

 

[Damsen]

Thanks for all your help! great advice and information.

Hi JenHunt, looking forward to hunting with you! I've phoned and left a message for carol p today, so hopefully she'll be able to clue me up even more!
I do hope the hurworth are a friendly bunch!

Rightio, I'll get out on nice long hack to get fittened up then! I think I still need a couple of weeks to get ready though, when does main season start? I may just do short days until he's ready.

Silly question I know, but when does the hunting season actually end?

Thanks

 

[L&M]

Our season starts with autumn hunting from the end of Aug, until mid Oct.

Opening meet is usually last weekend in October and hunt until early march.

Every hunt will differ slightly, but in general follow the above give or take a few weeks.

 

[JenHunt]

Carol is lovely and will surely explain things to you if she hasn't already.

our season - autumn hunting started last week, and the main season starts first weekend of November and ends the 1st or 2nd weekend in march.

and yes, they are a friendly bunch!

 

[lauraandjack]

Take a hip flask full of something tasty and don't be shy in offering it round! A good ice breaker to get you talking to people, can't beat the hip flask exchange!

Favourites in our field are damson gin, sloe gin, raspberry vodka and port!