Are we mad??

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sonjafoers

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Autumn hunting started today and I had to get up at 0345 in order to arrive on time. I know I'm not the only one and we are all in the same boat but I did question my sanity when it was pitch black and tipping it down whilst I walked my dogs before leaving home.

So as title really, are we all completely bonkers? :)
 
We're not crackers, it is everyone else!!

The getting up is never pleasant but pulling up at the meet and hearing hounds ready for the off and the mounted field faffing about on the first morning is the best day of the year. I was privileged to have my first morning visiting the Exmoors on the 8th August and it was a glorious morning to be out. Ended up feeling very smug to be up before the rest of Somerset had even stirred.

Incidentally I have a friend who sleeps in his hunting kit and just chucks his jacket and boots on to save time in the morning. I was going to say you'd never tell the difference but that would be a lie!
 
combat_claire said:
Incidentally I have a friend who sleeps in his hunting kit and just chucks his jacket and boots on to save time in the morning. I was going to say you'd never tell the difference but that would be a lie![/I]
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What a GREAT idea! I might give it a go, although I will leave the stock pin until the morning too :)
 
wow, you start your early mornings early in the year, our staff ones start soon but members don't usually begin till the beginning of October. I usually only manage one or two as they are usually in the week & i'm working. I used to have a trailer & remember many cold, rainy morning trying to hitch up in the pitch black (that is after trying to locate horse in equally pitch black field). So much better i have a little horsebox now!! Yes others would say we are mad, but it's all worth it when you get there!!
 
I don't know about the rest of Ireland but our hound exercising starts at 7, so quite civilised. I do remember when I lived in the UK andI went out Autumn Hunting a few times, being very bleary eyed and tired. Getting at 4 to be at the meet at 5.15......but so worth it when you got there!!!
 
yes but it's worth it!

Got up at half four this morning for 6am meet - 27 out on a cool, crisp, sunny morning - watched the sunrise as we moved off...... can't get any better than that


but now I'm quite tired :P but happy :D
 
I didn't go back to bed on Tuesday when I got up at quarter to 4. I came home, sorted dogs, had a shower and something to eat then went to Tesco. After that I went back to the yard to ride my other horse.

My friends think I am a complete loon, hence the original post.

However 2 days later and I'm still suffering, lets hope I've recovered before I do it all again next Tuesday.
 
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MICHAELA8228 said:
Ok - idiots question now - why so early?????
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Not a daft question at all!

It stems from the best time to get scent. Hunting traditionally starts in August & September where it can still be quite warm and dry. By starting early in the cool of morning it would ensure a better scent and mean that the hunting was finished before hounds and horses suffered from working in the heat of an Indian summer. Not much chance of that this month!

Some packs hold evening meets. The same theory applies in that as the evenings cool the scent will be better. This is as true for quarry hunting pre-ban as it is for trail hunts and flushing hunts post-ban.
 
Can anyone tell me, if you are hunting a trail, what on earth is the point of being up before the sun is?

And when Autumn Hunting was cubbing - why did it have to be so early, I never did understand having to park my lorry outside the livery stables locked gates so I could get there in time.
 
cptrayes - as combat Claire said - because the scent is better

we're still training the young hounds to hunt a scent, even though it's an artificial trail and it's only fair to give them the best possible chance to learn, so that when it's harder in diffficult scenting conditions in the future, they have more of an idea of what they're meant to be doing :)

bit like learning to read from printing rather than joined up writing lol!

also, it's nice to maintain the tradition :) :) doesn't hurt anyone to get up early once in a while

lots of people were out yesterday before work - they wouldn't be able to come and support if they had to take the morning or day off
 
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