This might be the numptiest question ever about hunting!

[Red30563]

I have never been hunting and, to be honest, I'm not likely to! I don't have my own horse and anyway I am a complete wimp when it comes to hacking, let alone hunting!

However, I have a burning question... how does a hunt end?

In the pre-ban days, would getting a fox signal the end? What if you got one quite quickly? Did you carry on?

And now, under the ban, is there an 'end point'? Does the scent stop somewhere and that signals the end of the days hunting? Does the Master decide when everyone has had enough?

Sorry, these questions might sound ridiculous to those who know, but I am mystified by it. I have even asked friends who have hunted (all of them only post-ban) and they don't seem to know! "It just kind of stops" they tell me.

Any enlightenment would be most welcome!

 

[Maesfen]

Not numpty at all.

Pre-ban, yes, the pack carry on hunting until the end of the day except in exceptional circumstances such as horses or hounds had done enough for the day. (other reasons too of course, adverse weather and so on.) The field have the option of going home any time they want to, they're not obliged to stay out as long as hounds and they don't have to finish a run if they don't want to, it's a very individual choice coupled with looking after your horse and what's best for it.

TBH, same still applies now. The Master along with the Huntsman make the decisions.

 

[sonjafoers]

As Maesfen says it's the Master (in our case as our Master is Master & Huntsman) who decides when to call it a day, normally dependant on how well hounds are going. We have had times where the day has finished in the dark at about 7pm because hounds have run on and we have had times where she has finished at about 3pm due to poor scenting conditions.

The weather will make a difference to the scent so that plays a huge part. Towards the end of the day location will be taken into account because if we are miles & miles away from where the meet started and it's getting late and there isn't much happening she may make the decision to turn back.

We are a small hunt and sometimes there are only 1 or 2 left at the end of the day, and it is entirely up to each member of the field what time they leave. As long as we say goodnight and let someone know we have left we leave when we want to.

 

[Judgemental]

Not numpty at all.

Pre-ban, yes, the pack carry on hunting until the end of the day except in exceptional circumstances such as horses or hounds had done enough for the day. (other reasons too of course, adverse weather and so on.) The field have the option of going home any time they want to, they're not obliged to stay out as long as hounds and they don't have to finish a run if they don't want to, it's a very individual choice coupled with looking after your horse and what's best for it.

TBH, same still applies now. The Master along with the Huntsman make the decisions.

Maesfen is entirely correct.

However it is considered bad form to go home before hounds.

Largely because one should thank the master and say goodnight to him or her.

Thanking the master say an hour or so after hounds have made their first draw and then saying good night and going home, (save for an injury) is in my view bad manners.

 

[giveachance]

Thanking the master say an hour or so after hounds have made their first draw and then saying good night and going home, (save for an injury) is in my view bad manners.[/QUOTE]

I have to say I don't think in my hunt going home early would ever be considered bad manners provided the person leaving said good night and thanked the master/huntsman. I have occasionally only taken horses out for an hour/hour and a half, if I'm on a horse that is starting the season mid way, or a youngster that has missed the cubbing season, until it gets strong enough to manange a full day.

I think it is better to go and support the hunt, even if its only for an hour or two, then to not turn up at all.

 

[Maesfen]

I have to agree with Giveachance. You have to go by what your horse is telling you, to do otherwise because you're afraid of appearing rude if you leave early is very foolish and could lead to an accident which would have been preventable by listening to your horse.
I apologise for not adding the customary 'Goodnight and thank you very much' which should be said whenever you leave the hunting field (whichever quarry) to my post too; I just took it for granted that people know their manners.

 

[combat_claire]

I'm with Giveachance on this one. I had a day with the Exmoors and my hireling felt like it was going to collapse underneath me, it was totally knackered and my old knee injury was aggravated so we thanked the master and headed for home on another day the horse was getting far too strong for me so I calculated that it was dangerous for me and others to carry on and we packed in far earlier than we normally would have done.

If the horse isn't up to it or you are struggling with a mount, then it isn't a case of slighting the huntsman but one of good sense to pack up early.