following on foot

[djlynwood]

I dont have a horse and have asked about hirelings but never had any joy, Im thinking that I would like to follow on foot.

Im totally new to hunting and dont have any contacts so I suppose that could be the reason why Ive been ignored a bit. Ive emailed both the hunts in Cheshire as they are nearest to me but no one ever gets back to me.

What is the etiquite for someone following on foot? Do I inform the hunt first that I would like to attend and do foot followers pay?

 

[combat_claire]

Your first port of call will be to phone the secretary who will be able to give you some hints and details of meets. Hunting people are not naturals at embracing the internet so often a phone call succeeds where an e-mail does not.

It varies from hunt to hunt whether they cap foot followers - here we ask £35 a year for the meetcard/car subscription and then during main season run a whisky raffle for £1 or £2 which acts like a cap. Some have a more formal arrangement where a small sum is taken per follower, per meet. The secretary will be able to fill you in.

Have fun and let us know how you get on.

 

[djlynwood]

Thank you for that CC.

I was thinking of ringing but didnt want to be too much of a hinderance and feel a bit embarrased.

I just need to bite the bullet and get to a meet and hopefully get to know some people there.

 

[chestnut cob]

I would give the Sec a call. I've just got back in touch with my local hunt, having lived out of the area for some yars, and found them to be very welcoming and helpful. After one outing, they've remember me, the horse (for all the wrong reasons probably, but that's another story!! ), and have made sure I was sent the meet card and other correspondence in the post. You'll probably find the same thing with your local hunt - very accomodating and genuinely do want to get people out hunting.

 

[Kat]

I've footfollowed a few times now, was out on sunday and it was the best yet!

We've found that the two bloodhound packs we went with were far more friendly and welcoming than foxhounds. They are easy to follow too as they hunt the clean boot (a runner with no artificial scent) and therefore know which way they are going to go.

The smaller hunt of the two packs on a less well attended day was also better!

Yesterday a friend asked us along, there was a whiskey raffle to raise money. We bought a strip of tickets and were well looked after.

 

[combat_claire]

Alternatively you could try beagling or the basset hounds, where everyone is on foot. Cheshire & Royal Rock are both based in Cheshire.

http://www.amhb.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=94&Itemid=55

http://www.amhb.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=55

 

[larkwood]

The 4 Shires has foot followers who you could link up with, if you enjoy it then you could either get more involved or just join as a member, there are plenty of social events as well as meets.

There is a section for Hirelings on the web site, but due to the nature of hunting and the wear and tear it can be expensive.

If you PM me with details I will be happy to put you in contact with the right people.

 

[Kat]

I've foot followed with the four shires and they were very firendly and even gave out maps so you knew where to go.

Enjoyed my day out with the Burne more though.

 

[marmalade76]

I would agree with Katt re bloodhounds, much better customer care!

 

[Kat]

We were given a map with the Four shires yes! We were following on foot and by car. We never would have known where to go otherwise. The riders aren't given a map, although I guess the master knows where they are going roughly.....

We weren't given a map with the burne but they were very good at explaining where to go and where to stand and the van with the name of the hunt on went to each point so you could follow that. Friendly bunch, everytime we've been to see fox hounds no one has spoken to us and we didn't have had a clue where to go once the horses set off at speed.

 

[combat_claire]

Agreed the fun is in NOT knowing where they are going to go. I never ask the trail setter or huntsman the route/draw. I like to try and predict where they are off to, even if it has led to mistakes and some mad pedalling to get back in touch.

 

[marmalade76]

Not at all, I have never been given a sheet or map when following Bloodhounds and I have never followed on foot. I was refering to the difference in attitude I have found between blood and foxhound packs. With the Bloodhound pack I have hunted with, they look after you, make sure you have a good day and treat you as a customer, where as with foxhounds, as long as they've had your money, they don't seem to be too bothered about much else.