Have you found youve been discriminated against because you hunt?

[chancing]

I have! Today at work during a review at work my boss plainly and simply told me she didnt like hunting and didnt like me for the fact Im very pro hunting! Then tries to soften the blow by saying I like you as a person though haha bs! Anyway..

Have you ever lost out on something or been discriminated against because you hunt? I didnt even know my boss knew I went out.

Just curious and still slightly peeed off

 

[EAST KENT]

All the time..get used to it! BUT,don`t smile and turn the other cheek..fight back with eloquent words,for far too long hunting people have been too polite and decent about this.
I remember some years back a woman boarding her dog with us said her son was a Sab annoying the Surrey Union,and he would be collecting the dog.......she was quite proud of it! I explained ,if it was a sunny day I MIGHT give him a ten yard start from my guard dog..but beware if it was cloudy,then he`d just get ate.
She apologised ...and collected the dog herself.

 

[Alec Swan]

No, I haven't, but find that I am ever more likely to discriminate against those who don't hunt, if that's any help.

Alec.

 

[Judgemental]

Absolutely fabulous - what an excellent thread.

My experiences are many and varied.

I always think the best, was the time I was interviewed for a job in the City. My prospective boss the Chairman (a non-hunting or equestrian man) said, "tell me what you are good at?"

I thought, immediately going to my riding and hunting activities. "dare I say what I do", I thought - then said, simply could not help myself, (might as well be honest) "well I go hunting and like to see how much of the hounds and fox I can see, whilst preserving my horse for the whole day".

"Yes" he said, "I see you are fit and do not carry the weight that some of my other young flabby staff carry".

"Do you ride in any races?". I think in hindsight he was thinking about cross-country. Always a bit difficult to know what non-horsey people are getting at when such questions are asked.

I said, "when the opportunity arises", thinking, “in for a penny in for a pound, he will probably worry I am going to be walking wounded half the time".

He replied, "Excellent, marvellous that's just what I want - risk takers".

I got the job.

Would I say all that now - probably!

Bankers can be a bit touchy about hunting, as can the NHS if you end up in A & E as a result of a hunting accident, depending on the staff on duty at the time.

 

[Cahill]

we got dropped off around the corner,after a pony club meet.

me carrying small saddle in one hand and leading shetland with the other and small son in tow with his riding hat on.
neighbour from next door but one was out and said "have you been anywhere nice?"
i replied"oh yes,been to hunt up at m***** "
"oh" she said,and off she went. she never spoke to us again.

 

[PML]

I can second the reception you receive in some hospitals following accidents, but my experience is that it's not isolated to hunting incidents but equestrianism in general. As soon as you mention that a horse was involved there is generally a lot of lip tightening and deep breath taking, and the feeling of "well what do you expect if you choose to hurtle round the country jumping big obstacles!". I hasten to add that this is from some and not all staff, and doesn't in any way lessen the treatment you receive.

I do remember visiting some 15 years ago, my then boyfriend, now husband in hospital following a car crash. On one visit he was telling me the story of the gentleman in the opposite bay; he had been out hunting and there had been an incident with some sabs, and his horse and he had been brought down and suffered horrendous injuries. Sadly at that time he was more concerned with masking the situation in which he was injured rather than the injuries themselves as he didn't want to be publically chastised. He was in a large inner-city hospital and feared any repercussions. My husband noted during his time there that the Consultant's manner with him was fine but that 3 of the 4 nurses that tended to him spoke to him rather disdainfully.

 

[Alec Swan]

J_M,

my now retired Agri Bank Manager, tells me that as a young man, and when first involved in banking, he had an application for a loan, from a well respected and local farmer, land on his desk.

He placed the application before his superior, and after a considerable delay, it was returned, "Refused". My chum enquired as to why the loan application had been turned down, and was told, "Because he shoots foxes"!!

Those were the days, principled bank managers!

Alec.

 

[Judgemental]

J_M,

my now retired Agri Bank Manager, tells me that as a young man, and when first involved in banking, he had an application for a loan, from a well respected and local farmer, land on his desk.

He placed the application before his superior, and after a considerable delay, it was returned, "Refused". My chum enquired as to why the loan application had been turned down, and was told, "Because he shoots foxes"!!

Those were the days, principled bank managers!

Alec.

LOVL

Perhaps in the circumstances we, that is all hunting folk, indeed the Countryside Alliance should adopt the first two verses of Mary Hopkin's - Those Were the Days as our National Anthem

By Mary Hopkin

Those Were The Days, My Friend
Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
And think of all the great things we would DO
Chorus:

Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way

 

[j17bow]

I get the usual people who moan about it, especially at my old job, but they were actually more ignorant than rude, and were really interested once I told them the full story.

Had a decision to make a few months ago about whether or not to put hunting as an activity on my UCAS form (Mature student!) for Zoology course, I did, and I got 5 offers!

 

[Paddydou]

I guess I am just lucky. At work there is another chap who is very into his country sports far more than I am and a couple of the others go off fishing etc every now and then so its not an issue and no one is anti in any way. I rarely take a trip into town and when I do I keep myself to myself as I don't want to get involved with little johnny who is screaming profanities at his mother because he didn't get what he wanted.

So all in all no not really but then I tend to stick with my own kind and don't go in for mixing that much.

 

[Ella19]

I have to hide from my neighbours if going out hunting, I cover my kit and myself, more for the time they take lecturing me that makes me late up the yard rather than abuse!

It has helped me get a job in veterinary, though one small animal practice I worked for weren't best happy about it until they realised most the clients knew me through the hunt and we got a fair few more few the door because of it!

 

[becca1305]

Bit of both really, Im not the hugest fan of chasing an animal for its life across country, however I recognise its an important part of our history and culture of which we have had enough destroyed in relatively recent years and so I am becoming more protective of historic activities that I do not necessarily 100% agree with. I am not cuddly cuddly foxes I just think there are more pleasant ways to kill them. That being said I do sometimes hunt as I enjoy participating in one of the few truely British traditions left to us, so I am a BIG FAT HYPOCRITE!, but you are far more likely to find me out with the drag hunts and bloodhounds. At college (equine) I was occasionally ridiculed for the little part of guilt which niggled me about hunting, however at my current uni a city one I have found a fair amount of adversity to it and discrimination which true to my stubborn self has made me argue the case for hunting stronger still. Luckily most of them are incapable of actually putting together a decent and strong argument (why they are doing philosophy and politics I dont know!) and so have bowed out to trying to argue the case with me. If some of the city folk dare bring it up outside seminars I just make a comment that turns them squeamish eg. they ask sarcastically did you enjoy your hunt? (they way city folk phrase country things is very odd ) Il say yes and to remind me to bring them back some fox blood to wipe on their cheeks next time I go soon scares the inbreds off

 

[YorksG]

I am in the fortunate, but rather odd, situation or having not one but two managers who are interested in field sports. Even odder given my profession, I am a Social Worker who works with an NHS team so have both a social work and a nursing manager, who both shoot and fish Mind you have one nursing member of the team who is an ex member of ALF who did not know that the commercial production of goats milk results from either the kids being removed from the Nanny or that she is injected with hormones to bring her into milk, she honestly thought that all the nice little goats grew up to be big goats with their mummy, I still haven't found out what she thought happened to all the male goats......

 

[chancing]

wow Im pleased its not just me then but its really getting me down and when I tried to broach this and fight back a little I was quashed and laughed out of the 'review'.

Its ridiculous in this day and age we have homosexuality drugs crime religion all out in the open but give your opinion on hunting and boom thats it game over!!

 

[combat_claire]

I am in a fortunate line of work; as a rural chartered surveyor it is expected that you either hunt, shoot or fish and preferably partake in more than one activity in your spare time!

I did a very short stint at a local insurance firm and the chit chat on Friday got round to plans for the weekend. Everyone else was talking about big nights out in town and I confessed that I was getting up at 5am to feed 200 odd pigs, check the farrowing sows and then going out with the foxhounds. The tangerine tinted buffoons are worked with were completely baffled!

 

[EAST KENT]

I am in the fortunate, but rather odd, situation or having not one but two managers who are interested in field sports. Even odder given my profession, I am a Social Worker who works with an NHS team so have both a social work and a nursing manager, who both shoot and fish Mind you have one nursing member of the team who is an ex member of ALF who did not know that the commercial production of goats milk results from either the kids being removed from the Nanny or that she is injected with hormones to bring her into milk, she honestly thought that all the nice little goats grew up to be big goats with their mummy, I still haven't found out what she thought happened to all the male goats......

Curry,actually. One of my friends used to answer those Home Wanted ads for male kids..indeed they did find a home,in the freezer.Times were hard

 

[hunting mad]

I had a accident where a horse kicked me,amny years ago on the hunting field on boxing day.
I was taken to hospital,and the matron was clearly anti hunting.
I think this had an effect on my care,and now im having an operation on my leg in less the 2 weeks due to this.

My dads friend suffered a kick as well out on the hunting field,and the nurse refused to "see to him" The nurse was sacked.

 

[Ladylina83]

I don't get it though - We don't hunt blOOdy foxes we get all dressed up and play hunt the pub all in the name of being social and having fun in the cold ! This might not be the way some of us would like it to be but that is the way it is - how can anyone judge us for being wrong to ride a horse wearing a jacket while some amazing dogs lead the way ??? I wouldn't think twice about saying I had been hunting in A&E / in the pub or in an interview it is my hobby and it hurts no one except maybe me

 

[spacefaer]

Some years ago (pre ban) I got decked by a youngster (he fell over backwards) and smashed my cheekbone and eye socket - got taken to hospital and operated on.

As I was going into theatre, the anaesthetist asked me how I'd got injured - I said I was riding - she said "I hope you weren't hunting - I don't agree with it!" Since she was injecting me with anaesthetic at that moment, I really wasn't in a position to stand up for hunting (or indeed anything else!)

I do remember everyone that day telling me to take my boots off before I got into hospital, because otherwise they would cut them off (despite only having a smashed face) on principle.

Having said that, I've just moved to a new area of the country and have been made to feel very welcome by all the new hunting people I've met so far this season - very positive discrimination

 

[SusannaF]

Some years ago (pre ban) I got decked by a youngster (he fell over backwards) and smashed my cheekbone and eye socket - got taken to hospital and operated on.

As I was going into theatre, the anaesthetist asked me how I'd got injured - I said I was riding - she said "I hope you weren't hunting - I don't agree with it!" Since she was injecting me with anaesthetic at that moment, I really wasn't in a position to stand up for hunting (or indeed anything else!)

I do remember everyone that day telling me to take my boots off before I got into hospital, because otherwise they would cut them off (despite only having a smashed face) on principle.

Having said that, I've just moved to a new area of the country and have been made to feel very welcome by all the new hunting people I've met so far this season - very positive discrimination

To be fair, they probably didn't want the muck and germs on your boots in the hospital, but what the anaesthetist said is appalling.

 

[frostyfingers]

I had a non hunting ridiing accident and ended up in A&E. When I said how it had happened the response was "that's your fault for riding then" - and they turned to the footballer who had broken his arm and were all nice and sympathetic to him. I was told to "go home and take two paracetamol".

Six years, and two operations the injury still causes problems and I'm likely to require a joint replacement at some point in the future.....

 

[Kenzo]

Probably raised a few eyebrows at work, some people have viewed their opinions on it and that’s fine with me, I don’t have a problem with people who come out and say what they think rather slate you behind your back.

Although some people who (need to be careful how I say this) are shall we say not from a country background don’t always understand it, so I explain one of the reasons why where I live for example, fox control is needed and the other methods farmers may use, that it’s not some bloody thirsty sport that people seem to imagine it is.

 

[BlizzardBudd]

In my POLITICS class!!! It has really annoyed/upset me

 

[dressagelove]

wow Im pleased its not just me then but its really getting me down and when I tried to broach this and fight back a little I was quashed and laughed out of the 'review'.

Its ridiculous in this day and age we have homosexuality drugs crime religion all out in the open but give your opinion on hunting and boom thats it game over!!

A VERY good point!!!

I have regular arguments with people who think its barbaric, then I just get told that I'm a rich little conservative who enjoys posh elite sports, pahaha

I was out hunting one year, and there were a load of people nearby one of the fields shouting about animal rights, and that 'we were being cruel to our horses making them jump those big fence.' I cannot stand ignorance.

 

[soggy]

Once or twice, but then I discriminate against those that are against hunting. I can't be bothered with their uninformed, misguided and nonsensical POV.

Life's to short to be bothered with those types of nob heads. Regardless of how well meaning they might happen to be.

I eat red meat, I wear leather , I hunt, I shoot, I fish and I'm proud of it.

 

[Tinkerbee]

At work no, most are either country folks or just sensible

Uni is always a laugh, I'm studying Conservation and C'side management and we have some lectures with the Wildlife Conservation people and we even had a field trip away for a weekend with them. About half an hour in there was a rather loud "discussion" when it transpired that someone had been "that effing sab..." they'd had a run in when out with the Belvoir... made for an interesting group assignment!

 

[VoR]

No and to be honest if I had evidence that I had been discriminated against for that reason then I'd be off to a solicitor pdq as I'm fairly certain it would be illegal to do so!!!

Oh and Alec - there are some people with principles working in banks still!!

 

[Dizzle]

I work with a hunt Sab and I respect his view and my view will never be the same, some of you are sounding just as silly as the sabs by saying that their views are just wrong, they have a point, hunters have a point, they are NEVER going to agree, in fact I strongly disagree with some of his views regarding horses at hunts and how they contradict his morals, but then he really disagres with the fact that I'm happy to watch a pack of hounds hunt and kill a fox. Seriously no one is ever going to agree on the issue.

Just because he's a sab and I'm pro-hunting doesn't mean we can't get along though!

 

[soggy]

I work with a hunt Sab and I respect his view and my view will never be the same, some of you are sounding just as silly as the sabs by saying that their views are just wrong, they have a point, hunters have a point, they are NEVER going to agree, in fact I strongly disagree with some of his views regarding horses at hunts and how they contradict his morals, but then he really disagres with the fact that I'm happy to watch a pack of hounds hunt and kill a fox. Seriously no one is ever going to agree on the issue.

Just because he's a sab and I'm pro-hunting doesn't mean we can't get along though!

Respect the POV of a sab....nah! That a kin to saying you respect the views of Nazi's on Jews.

Every side of an argument has a view. It doesn't mean that you have to respect them though. Especially when they have no credence, no fact and no basis.


I have no desire for antis' to agree with my POV. I simple desire that they don't try and force their POV on my or mine.

 

[Horsey_dreams]

I avoid my mother in law on the subject, her opinion is the only correct one and she responds to disagreeing with her by getting upset and trying to convince you she is right for the next 4 hours. I cant be bothered. 'i hate hate hate hate hunting and shooting, they are all b******s' great

I work for a very large employer and most people there know i have horses, sometimes they ask me if i hunt, what are my views, and we have a calm, rational discussion.

OP i hope your boss did not allow her prejudice affect your review in a negative way??