Hunt say its mandatory to be CA member

[Irishcobs]

Is this a new thing for all hunts or just this one?

 

[OEH]

It's the case with our hunt.

 

[arizonahoney]

I think so - it's a very economical way of getting liability and personal injury insurance and shows that you are supporting hunting and rural issues...

 

[VoR]

Certainly not a requirement with us, where in this wonderful county are you?

 

[Suziq77]

Mine too. What with my BHS Gold membership, my BD membership and my CA membership I must be one of the best insured people in the UK?

More than happy to support the CA though and it's not expensive in the context of a hunt subscription.

 

[VoR]

I think so - it's a very economical way of getting liability and personal injury insurance and shows that you are supporting hunting and rural issues...

Sent my cheque off yesterday for that very reason. Hopefully the economy will soon recover and the CA will have a bit more confidence to take the cause on!!

 

[combat_claire]

The more members the CA has the more influence it can bring to bear when lobbying parliament. Just look at the RSPB, National Trust etc.

When you also consider the insurance for not only being on the hunting field but involved in hunt events it is vital that everyone is a member.

The Fitzwilliam have always asked for proof of membership when renewing subscriptions for as long as I have been hunting and we have one of the highest rates of CA membership in the country.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I was under the impression that anyone who subscribed to a hunt had to be a member of the CA mainly for their third party insurance.

We do in Dorset.

 

[Goldenstar]

It is with ours.

 

[MilosDad]

Its a way of guaranteeing that third party insurance is carried. We check all our subscribers against CA membership. I carry my own third party liability but still support CA as it keeps the hunt safe

 

[Hairy Old Cob]

Just like BASC Membership for Insurance for Shooting.

 

[cptrayes]

Surely the insurance thing is a red herring? Most people will be insured anyway, either on horse insurance or house insurance or membership of other things. Is it not just a way of making sure that everyone who is out supports field sports, so that when you "accidentally" find a fox and the hounds chase it, you know that no-one in the field will report you? Since I'm aware of four hunts which regularly hunt fox then I am not surprised that CA membership is being demanded.

How long has CA membership been a requirement? I hunted with three (two famous name) fox packs in the 80's and none of them demanded it then.

 

[xloopylozzax]

I have neither horse insurance or anything else. Its the best way to get public liabilty insurance, not to mention, if you are taking part in a hunt, surely you want it to continue, so supporting the CA goes a long way to helping this.

back in the 80's there wasnt the blame/insurance culture there is now. Nor the need for reform!!

 

[cptrayes]

But I want to hunt trails, legally, not foxes, legally or illegally

Are fox hunts now saying that no-one is allowed to hunt with them over a trail unless they also support hunting live quarry?

I think you will find that the cheapest way to get full 3rd party insurance is to take a non-competitive membership of British Dressage, not join the CA.

 

[L&M]

Our pack also asks for you to be a member of the CA, and assume for 2 reasons:

- Third party insurance

- To donate funds to fight for repeal.

We are not asked for 'proof' that we are members, but I do wear my CA badge on my hacking jacket when autumn hunting.

I am a little sceptical about the benefits/workings of the CA, but do not begrudge my mebership as is worth it for the insurance alone.

 

[Countryman]

cptrayes - yes that is in fact precisely the policy of our hunt and, I suspect, most others. They do require supporters to support the return of live quarry hunting.

Specifically it's made very clear that "all followers are expected to be fully committed to repeal of the Hunting Act"

 

[xloopylozzax]

^ surely thats courtesy. Im not being funny, but you are joining the HUNT to ride across otherwise private land. You are taking advantage of the hunt jumps (they dont just appear!), of the fencing that is repaired by hunt members, and the hospitality of the farm, which the hunt work with.

If you arent committed to repeal, why are you hunting? Go on fun rides and the like instead IMO

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Are fox hunts now saying that no-one is allowed to hunt with them over a trail unless they also support hunting live quarry?

Yes, I guess they are - and you can choose whether you want to hunt with them and accept that, or make your own arrangements to access private land for your riding pleasure.

Hunts (the clue is in the name) are there to fulfil hunting live quarry - other than bloodhound packs/clean boot. The current practice is forced and unwanted. They expect those taking advantage of the facilities they offer to also support their reason for being - which involves repeal of the Hunting Act.

Perhaps you would prefer to do sponsored rides or endurance instead - then you wouldnt be tainted by association with such nasty thoughts as hunters actually hunting....?

 

[combat_claire]

I don't think hunts have ever made it a secret that they are working towards achieving repeal of the Hunting Act and that they expect their members to follow suit by attending demonstrations, fund raising/being a member of the Alliance and involving yourself in election work. Nor is it unreasonable to expect that members carry suitable insurance specifically aimed at country sports participants.

As I said before our pack has asked us to be members of the Alliance since at least 2003 (when I joined) and probably long before that too.

 

[tractor]

Our hunt does too. For all the reasons above, but it is VERY useful for insurance.

One of our hirelings has stringholt and managed to "kick" a police car & damage the lights and back panel - CA insurance covered it.

Friend got kicked last year (horse in front fly bucked and caught her wrist) - rider of kicking horse wasn't insured and ended up almost going to court over it....CA insurance would have covered it.....

If you're insured elsewhere then fine, but for those that aren't it's probably the cheapest way of getting a lot of insurance!

 

[Judgemental]

I must admit to being something of a 'fence sitter' on this one.

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[JanetGeorge]

How long has CA membership been a requirement? I hunted with three (two famous name) fox packs in the 80's and none of them demanded it then.

Well since the CA has only been in existence since 1998, that's not surprising. And of course hunts still had their heads up their bums when it came to recognising the threat! But MOST hunts had a requirement for hunt committees to support the Campaign for Hunting from about 1995 - and most - by then - were also requiring British Field Sports Society membership!

But I want to hunt trails, legally, not foxes, legally or illegally

Are fox hunts now saying that no-one is allowed to hunt with them over a trail unless they also support hunting live quarry?

I jolly well hope so! If you only want to follow trails - and don't support the repeal of the Hunting Act - then you wouldn't be particularly welcome at any foxhound pack I know! Even the Draghound/Bloodhound packs tend to include a LOT of people supporting the repeal of the Hunting Act - so I#'d keep your views on foxhunting to yourself there too!

 

[Judgemental]

Clearly being part of a central organisation helps to bind one into a unified movement of solidarity and a sense of esprit de corps.

The various insurance packages that come with membership are extremely useful .

When your horse kicks whatever ( yes I know your horse has never so much as lifted a leg) and the secretary rides up and inevitably asks if you are a member of the CA, you know that the problem will be resolved in much the same way as a car accident.

At least I assume that to be the case?

 

[oakash]

Does anyone know the rest of the wonderful poem that goes (something like):

" You can break a farmers fence down, and kick a hound or two, but never ever never....."

and I forget the rest!?