Fair weather hunter

[Aniseed]

Just wondering if the weather ever stops you from going hunting? I'm meant to be going out on Saturday and the forecast is awful so I'm wondering whether to bother. I'm not a fair weather rider and will quite happily hack in the rain, but I'm not sure if I want to pay the cap to go out and get soaked. Should I just man up? I've have always been lucky with the weather when hunting so I don't know how much a bit of rain would ruin the day.

 

[Eira]

Rain never stops play with us :grin: (but then I am working for the MFH and I can't really see him bailing out because of some rain )

Man up and enjoy the days hunting - you'll dry out :grin:

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I am of the opinion that if its pissing with rain and will be all day I won't go. I've spent far too many years going hunting in the rain and now I'm a grown up and paying my own sub and for my own horse, I am quite happy to be a fairweather hunter. Its not much fun in the pissing rain if you are cold and wet and your horse is too.

 

[runaway]

Personally having the choice I wouldn't go hunting if its forecast to rain all day and is doing so in the morning!! I don't mind so much if it starts raining once you're out. Hate wind and rain combined, can't hear anything and get cold quicker!

Rain wont stop the Huntsman from going but I have known times when even they call it a day when their horses are shivering and they're wet through to their pants!!

I would suggest that as you've asked the question don't go, there'll be another day. If it's windy what will you be able to hear??

 

[Aniseed]

That makes me feel slightly less of a wimp! Will see what the weather is doing in the morning and go from there I think.

 

[Weezy]

I have a rule, I won't go if it is raining, but I don't mind if it starts once out!

 

[Starbucks]

Hmm.. sounds like you are looking for an excuse??

I might think on the day “I can’t be arsed cos it’s raining" but I wouldn’t not go because the forecast was bad 2 days before – it’s not like it’s particularly reliable!

 

[Aniseed]

Im not looking for an excuse honest! I really want to go just trying to be prepared. And like I say I have been lucky enough to have only ever hunted in good weather before so only wondering what everyone else does.

 

[Starbucks]

Just see what it's like on the day and what you feel like. where abouts are you? I had a look on BBC and it says "heavy rain showers" where I'm going.. but I figure "heavy rain showers" has got to be better than just "heavy rain".

 

[combat_claire]

It is perfectly acceptable to put a waterproof on over your hunt coat if rain is lashing it down or expected. Hounds will hunt a laid trail better in wet conditions so likely to get better sport. However at the end of the day you pays your money, you makes your choice.

I'll be going on Saturday come rain or shine, but then I have a bike which won't lose a shoe in deep mud, need washing off or looking after if I am cold and wet when we finish.

 

[Aniseed]

Cirencester, and heavy rain showers are predicted for here as well. So we will get soaking wet in short bursts rather than constantly! It's p-ing it down here at the moment.

 

[runaway]

aniseed to be honest you sound as if the thought of getting drenched for a few hours hunting doesn't really ring your bell!! So I would stay home. I love hunting but not enough to go out in the pouring rain to sit getting wet and cold! My horse isn't too keen on getting wet either.

As CC said scent is normally better in the wet but from what I've seen the forecast is pants. If you've got the money and will call it a day after an hour or so then go but I'd save my money and plan on going when the weather is a little less inclement! Just don't moan at us if the weather is decent.... ha ha.

Now if I was fell hunting on foot or on my bike then I'd go regardless, you can get kitted up in your wets and shelter/pick your spot under trees ect. Plus you're not paying quite so much for the priviledge (sp!) There's a big difference I think.

Enjoy yourself whatever.

 

[JenHunt]

like others have said, if it starts when you're out its not so bad, but when it's set in and likely to be pi55ing down all day then it's not such a good prospect.

Having said that, the one thing that's worse is high wind. it makes towing difficult, it makes hacking to the meet precarious (with Ron at least!) and you can't hear the hounds, and then if it starts raining you get cold so quickly.

at least with rain you can put on a coat, and if you put thermals and tights under your jods you don't feel wet so quickly.

 

[Dogstar]

I agree it's high winds that put me off more than rain, as I am scared of the trailer blowing over. Also, someone I knew's horse objected to the hurricane conditions on a hill while hunting and kneeled down, refusing to get up!! I have given up relying on weather forecasts, you can miss some good days for no reason doing that!

 

[cptrayes]

I don't hunt in the rain. No fun standing at a check for half an hour getting soaked.

 

[Eagle_day]

There's a saying, 'Always hunt when you can'. We could be frozen off for a month in the New Year. Some of the best days that I remember were in the foullest weather conditions imaginable. Just have an extra port at the meet for 'meteorological' reasons.

 

[star]

i wimped out 2wks ago when it was just lashing down all night and all morning - the ground was sodden, me and pony were just recovering from coughs and i didn't think it would do either of us any good to get completely soaked.

normally, i will go if it's raining lightly but might think twice if it was really lashing down - as much as anything i really dont like towing in that weather. i have a subscription so it's not even like i have to pay but why go if i'm just gonna hate it?

 

[j17bow]

I missed a hunter trials the other day because it was raining heavily in the morning, but I still wanted to go but my sister wimped out (pairs class) and we didnt go in the end. Saw some pics of our class and it looked perfect! Will def go next time im in doubt!

 

[skewby]

There's a saying, 'Always hunt when you can'. We could be frozen off for a month in the New Year. Some of the best days that I remember were in the foullest weather conditions imaginable. Just have an extra port at the meet for 'meteorological' reasons.

This is really true! I am a total newbie but I know this. I always wanted to hunt but wasn't quite good enough until last year/season. I missed cubbing as I tore a ligament in my knee so by the time we could go it was the main season. We went once and then everything froze and hunting stopped for ages. By the time it started again, work had gone mad and I was being sent abroad all the time and could not take time off at all, whatsoever (we weren't ready for a Saturday meet by a long way). So I missed out, completely. And so did horse, of course, who LOVES it!

I was suprised last time I went out, autumn hunting, because I went knowing I had to leave early as my washing machine had broken down and the repair guy would NOT come out any other time than early that afternoon. It was nasty rain, and when I resluctantly left, half the field came with me! I was astonished, but could only conclude it was the pooey weather. I thought they were mad - I would have given my eye teeth to stay out.

 

[Gamebird]

We have a saying here - rain before seven, fine by eleven. ie. if it's peeing down when you get up to plait keep going, it'll usually fair up.

 

[Aniseed]

The decision was taken out of my hands, I couldn't borrow the truck to tow so wasn't able to go anyway. I was planning on going the meet on foot but come 11:00 it was hammering it down so I even backed out of that. I must admit I was glad I didn't go. Fingers crossed everything goes to plan and I manage to get out this weekend.

 

[Girlracer]

The first time i went hunting i had a 30 minute hack there and trust me by the time i got there i was drenched through.

But i have to say despite the fact there was no jumping, it was very fast and possibly one of the best days hunting i've had so far! The rain splattering you in the face really adds to the thrill. But then i might just be an odd one. My horse was plenty keen enough, having been a huntmasters horse in the pas t he should be used to it though!

 

[MrWoof]

We elderly girlies with the R&WH always say that rain and mud are very good for the complexion!!
There was some SERIOUS mud about last Saturday but after a bit of drizzle in the morning, the sun came out about 12.30. Due to the wet, scent was amazing and it was an absolute joy to listen to the music.
Hopefully, come the OM in 2010, we can go back to "hunting proper".