New hunt subscriber query

ingcog

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Out of interest what would you expect when subscribing to a hunt for the first time?

This was my first time ever subscribing, so I didn't know what to expect

However I haven't received anything other than an emailed meet list (when they remember to include me). So I always need to phone or call the secretary to find out where to park, which is generally vague and unhelpful instructions and frankly he seems rather irritated that I am calling.

Then when I am out hardly anyone bothers to talk to me, which is perhaps compounded as my horses are not the best behaved.

I am now in a pickle, as I have been put down to steward and told that I need to make the arrangements if I cannot make it. Well if you are new and don't know anyone how are you supposed to do that?

Frankly I am not too happy with the hunt and don't think they will be getting any more money from me in the future :(
 

LizzieJ

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We don't get information on parking or anything although I'm sure people would be helpful if you could get hold of them. An emailed meet card is all we get too :)

If you don't find the secretary helpful, perhaps you could ask the Master?
 

ingcog

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I am just surprised that I haven't got a book, contact list or anything else

Maybe its just I am too used to joining a club and receiving some basic information?
 

LizzieJ

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No we don't have anything like that either! I've never really thought about it because I've been hunting with my local pack since I was 8 but maybe they do provide more info to new subscribers, I don't know :confused: People are helpful if you phone though :) We don't have any stewarding so not sure what that would involve, sorry!
 

A1fie

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Hi - our hunt just have an emailed meet card with minimal details. However we do have an information line which tells us about parking etc.

Don't give up yet. Can you attend any social things or help out at any fundraisers? That is the quickest way to feel part of things and people will be a lot more relaxed.

Next time out look for someone with their hunt button, they may be able to offer you some help.
 

tootsietoo

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When I first subscribed and didn't know the country I spent many Friday evenings driving round sussing out laybys and verges for parking! It was the only way really. Most meets don't have specific arrangements for parking, people have to work it out themselves.

I do now get a little book of contacts with the current hunt, but previous one there was no information other than a meet card with master's and secretary's numbers. However, people were always very helpful if I asked questions.

I reckon it does take a good 4 seasons until you really know the country, the people and all the other ins and outs. And this season has been very limited with the bad weather. Stick at it, be as friendly as you can, and hopefully you will gradually become part of it all. It might also take a season or two for your horse/s to calm down and give you more of a chance to stop and talk to people.
 

Scoutie

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I subscribed for the first time last season and was not receiving information but it is hard to know to ask if you don't know something is happening. Only when friends told me that the meet card had been forward by email I began to realize that something was amiss. It took several attempts but eventually I was added to the mailing list and I now receive all the information, including the parking. I would ask the secretary how you find out about it and (repeatedly!) ask to be added to the mailing list.

Most secretaries work and do this in their spare time to support the hunt, I wouldn’t suggest that things are not deliberately happening just that they are very busy and simply forget.
 

Starbucks

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That’s a shame that they’ve been unfriendly but I don’t know what else you were expecting re the parking. I’ve joined a new hunt this season, don’t know the area at all and am also new to driving my 7.5 tonner, but just turn up and have to find somewhere – it’s no biggy!!

Are you making an effort to chat to other people? Maybe stewarding would be a good way to get to know people?
 

Daddy_Long_Legs

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We don't get anything either, just a hunt card with the dates and locations of the hunt. We don't get any details of parking although if there is somewhere specific to park usually a couple of the masters stand out on the road and direct people.
 

fleabittengrey

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RE the parking - in the first year, I rang friends and people I had met out hunting to ask where is best to unbox (tried to ring different people each time so as not to annoy the same person with seemingly daft questions!). If I wasn't sure, I popped out in the car early in the morning before the meet to double check I knew where I was going. (Never want to meet a dead end in a large wagon or with a trailer to turn!)
Becuase I'm ridiculously good at getting lost, I got an OS map and marked on it to remind me where to unload for meets, and little random notes if need be. Meant that for years afterwards I was one of those "in the know" as to where to unbox and could stop pestering people!
It doesn't sound to me like they have been unfriendly - we just receive meet card too. Hunt Sec could have been a bit vague not knowing if you had good intention or not - I'm sure there are many who would like to know where everyone is meeting/leaving wagons with bad intent! (I for one have had lorry tampered with SEVERAL times when out hunting!)
 

fleabittengrey

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Then when I am out hardly anyone bothers to talk to me, which is perhaps compounded as my horses are not the best behaved.

Are you introducing yourself to them and bothering to talk to them? It works both ways. Everyone might look very chummy and pally and you may well feel like an outsider, but introduce yourselves and next meet you may well be greeted like a long lost friends too!
 

tootsietoo

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btw, totally understand stressing about parking! I hate the idea of not knowing where to park and ending up driving 5 miles out of my way to get back to the vicinity of the meet and then there being no space and being late! So I always had my spot earmarked and made sure I was there by about 10.15-10.30ish before anyone else nabbed it.

oh and also, being friendly is a bit of a catch 22 - look too keen to make friends and before you know it you will be on the entertainments committee and in the supporters club and spending every free evening organising stuff! Some eagle eyed hunt fundraisers seem to be able to spot newbies a mile off and home in on them before they know to run away in the opposite direction!

seriously though, getting involved in stuff like that is the best way to get to know people to chat to out hunting.
 

hunteress

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phone the hunt secretary up an air your grievances to him/her what have you got to loose our hunt is very friendly but other hunts about which I have been with are rather rude and clicky so I do know what you mean people like you run the hunt good luck .
 

L&M

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I am in my 5th season now and it has taken this long to learn the country - even now there are a few meets which I am unsure of. Our hunt has a round robin email that sometimes comes out with directions, parking details for new meets, and last minute changes which is very helpful.

Hang in there - for my first 2 seasons I felt that I wasn't 'accepted', especially as could only hunt midweek, so on the rare occasions I managed a Sat the regulars didn't know who I was! However, I can now hunt midweek and sats, so know everyone and always give new subscribers my tel no if they need any help with directions or advice. I even recieved my hunt buttons at the beginning of this season so feel well and truly wedded to my pack now.

On the field always always offer to open gates, or help hold a horse for others - people will then get to know your face and realise you are committed to the 'cause'. Throw yourself into the social events and try and make some hunting buddies who will look out for you and vice versa and offer to help at functions.

If none of this works, then maybe look at neighbouring packs and go out with them as a visitor and see if you get a better reception, but hunting folk can be quite 'suspicious' of strangers, and it may take a while to be accepted. However once you are, I can guarantee you will have friends for life.......
 

Darkly_Dreaming_Dex

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Out of interest what would you expect when subscribing to a hunt for the first time?

This was my first time ever subscribing, so I didn't know what to expect

However I haven't received anything other than an emailed meet list (when they remember to include me). So I always need to phone or call the secretary to find out where to park, which is generally vague and unhelpful instructions and frankly he seems rather irritated that I am calling.

Then when I am out hardly anyone bothers to talk to me, which is perhaps compounded as my horses are not the best behaved.

I am now in a pickle, as I have been put down to steward and told that I need to make the arrangements if I cannot make it. Well if you are new and don't know anyone how are you supposed to do that?

Frankly I am not too happy with the hunt and don't think they will be getting any more money from me in the future :(

I would recommend you ring the secretary again NOT on the night before a meet and definately not on the morning of one- that way they will be free to talk. Say you are feeling a little alone/struggling with your horse and ask if they can recommend someone to "nanny" you for the next couple of meets. I do this a lot at our hunt and make sure i introduce them to similar people, help them steady their horse and help them find the right place in the field (front or middle or back) Its lovely when within a couple of meets someone you have nannied says "hi" at the meet and then spends the rest of the day with new friends as it frees me to help someone else :D
 

star

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i dont think i get anything extra as a subscriber. i was already on the mailing list so get all the e-mails about meet changes and social meets. i didn't know anyone to start with but i think the adrenaline got rid of my normal shyness and i just babbled away to anyone. Now I know all the regulars and find everyone very friendly in my 3rd season.
 
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