Following on foot

[AnotherNewbie]

I've recently started following local hunts on foot with my other half. He's always in dark green wax jacket etc, and i without thinking just wear wellies and my bright pink yard coat as it's my warmest! However, is this thought of as rude or ignorant? It's never crossed my mind before...i know you have to dress the part to ride but do you have to look the part on foot? Nobody has ever said anything but evreyone else is in tweed etc and i stand out like a sore thumb!

 

[combat_claire]

Wear practical outdoorsy clothing for the prevailing weather conditions. Most of my layers tend to be navy or green, just because I don't really like bright colours but equally we have people who follow in all colour shades of waterproof and gilet, including pink.

I find the key in the middle of winter is to layer up with a long-sleeved t-shirt, polo shirt/shirt, jersey and waterproof/musto blouson with a hat as nothing is more miserable on the hunting field than being miles from the car and freezing your tits off!

Obviously modify according to the weather. I have been spotted autumn hunting in denim shorts, checked shirt and a straw stetson - I got the piss taken royally at the meet but they weren't laughing quite so hard when it hit 20 degrees at 7am...

 

[Countryman]

Hmmm. I follow on foot regularly and to be honest just dress for comfort-you'll be wearing it a long time, possibly running, possibly getting soaked-and also for the climate-particuarly in Autumn the change in temperature from one weekend to the next can be huge.

I would say that its generally good manners to be vaguely smart at the meet especially if its a big meet like the opening meet - so men might usually wear a shirt (or even a tie in some cases at big meets!)

Lastly, as I say the most important thing is comfort. Bright colour wise, however, can be important. Generally brown and green is best because you then blend into the landscape a little and don't outrageously stand out which is a mark of respect to the landowners for letting them cross their land, and also, in the days before the ban (and these days with packs that practice fox control within the law) it meant that it was harder for a fox to see you and hopefully he'd run on past. Cubbing aside, the cardinal sin was to turn a hunted fox back towards the hounds or head it off, potentially spoiling a good hunt - and obviously the more you stand out and seem unnatural, the more likely you are to scare the fox back.

 

[AnotherNewbie]

Thanks for the replies, a couple of points i hadn't thought of!!