I am interested in joining my local hunt. I attend a fox hunting clinic which both me and my horse enjoyed. Due to unfortunate circumstances I missed the information session which included info on joining the hunt. I am sure the cost is different depending on the hunt but would like to know an estimate (before calling the MFH)?
Thanks!!
It varies wildly!
Small unrecognized hunt but hunts big territory is under a grand a year, I don’t know about little “extras” that you may get bills for.
Big, recognized hunt, get lots of little bills for donations for this fund and that fund, will cost you damn near 4-5k a year.
This is MD. May be completely different for your area.
That is an impossible question to answer. I am a member of 3 hunts. One was $50 a year, one is $250, one is $950. Another hunt in FL is $650 and it is one you would think would be much more, as is the $250 one. I have heard of hunts costing over $2000 a year, and sometimes more.
So you really need to contact that particular hunt’s MFH or secretary to find out what’s what.
I agree it varies wildly. One hunt in Wyoming charges nothing for dues, just now. Most hunts seem to be $700 on up, in the east I would say a grand or two just for dues is possible.
But in my opinion worth every penny.
agreed! worth every penny
It’s not a simple, “this is what it costs” type thing. These are some of the costs at my hunt, that I love.
There’s the membership fee (which varies depending on the type of membership - social, single, family - basically, somewhere from $250 - $700) and my hunt charges an initiation fee ($100) for new members.
Okay, so you pay your membership and initiation fee and you’re “in” and you can hunt. Now, to partake in the after hunt breakfast, there is a fee of $10 after each hunt. You will want to go to the opening and closing dinners and the hunt ball, also at an expense. You may be asked to donate funds for kennels, hunter pace prizes or other things.
Basically, it’s not cheap but it’s the best money ever spent. I love hunting! Hope that helps.
ask don’t guess
there are as many different prices as there are hunts and these days driving farther makes little sence if the object is only lower dues.
a hunt’s cost vary too. and not just the cost per horse and hound.
professional huntsman?
kennel and stable help?
fuel?
the hunt’s cost differences force differences in your cost
skip the daily starbucks and you can aford it easily. a better thrill too.
more than you think if you do it right
There is the cost of membership. Usually the membership fee and the subscription or if you won’t hunt regularly capping fees. Since so many hunts require volunteer time you need to consider that. Just to name a few things…
membership
subscription /capping fees
equipment wear and tear or investment in new equipment and attire
fuel to the hunts
donations if you have volunteer teas
time in the kennels walking hounds/assisting (fuel to go back and forth/time)
trail and country work (if required)
volunteer at shows/events/hunter paces (your gas, time etc)
participation in shows /events and hunter paces (entry fees above and beyond)
hound adoptions (a fund raising tool for some hunts-you adopt a hound for the year and get a photo and updates of your hounds work in the field)
volunteering and /or participating in regional events such as hound shows, hunter trials etc.
holiday parties/balls
regional parties /balls
“expection” to attend most hunt events and social gatherings.
Know your hunts expectations. It’s amazing how much money you can spend in a year . Worth it 99% of the time, but just be sure you are up to it.
My understanding is that here in my areas hunt country… it is 5k to join/membership fees and 5k dues annually! Thus a significant commitment. You might consider and inquire of “Roading” which here you are permitted to go out 2x per week, and after that concludes (which it has here)… there is a 6 weeks of “Cubbing”… where-in you are allowed to participate 3x if you are Not a member ( as i understand it) but must pay a “Capping” fee of 100.00. Participation is as a guest. Perhaps you can inquire.
It certainly has an extraordinary history steeped in traditions… awe inspiring regalia…and camaraderie!
Good luck to you in your pursuits…
think of it as a country club!!
Lakeville!? Where are you located?!! Yikes!
One thing to keep in mind is that foxhunts are usually year round clubs with social events during the 6 month off season. There are trailrides, fundraisers, BBQ’s, parties sometimes. There’s always levels of involvement you can pursue also. Some folks just pay their dues and hunt. They are missing a lot of the fun of being in a hunt IMHO! So think of dues as money spread out over the course of the year and it’s easier to write the check!! :winkgrin: Think of it like a country club!! 
I THINK that around here dues are from $900 to $2500 for a single person membership. Not all hunts have initiations fees which vary widely. Some have membership requirements that has different amounts for those that live IN the hunt territory versus those from outside the territory. Those outsiders pay more! 
Or different amounts for juniors or landowners. Some landowners can hunt for a major discount or free IF their property is used directly/frequently by the hunt and/or they are farmers that make a large % of their income from farming. Some hunts require that you BE a landowner to have a vote or have a minimum # of acres to be a member. And so it goes! Cap fees in our area range from $80-$250. And caps range cheaper during cubbing. Also most hunts have a cheaper rate for weekdays versus weekends.
Is there a maximum amount of times one can go capping? I know that fee is $50 which would be completely do able as I can only go hunting 2-3 times per month. It is rumored that the hunt I am thinking about joining is $2500 but I am going to call and find out for sure. Thanks for all the replies!
[QUOTE=horses4me;3420554]
Is there a maximum amount of times one can go capping? I know that fee is $50 which would be completely do able as I can only go hunting 2-3 times per month. It is rumored that the hunt I am thinking about joining is $2500 but I am going to call and find out for sure. Thanks for all the replies![/QUOTE]
I think most hunts do limit the amount of times you can cap, but that also varies from hunt to hunt. I think I’ve seen 3 as the maximum per season on several hunt’s websites. A lot of hunts also have tiered membership categories and capping fees depending on how often you plan to hunt. Here’s an example of tiered dues- http://www.onbh.org/membership.htm
As others have said, it depends on the hunt. From personal knowledge (and going on last year’s prices), my hunt was $1,950/season plus a one-time $2k initiation fee for new members. Another local hunt (who is trying to limit their members) is $4,500/season plus a $5k initiation fee for new members. And then there is the third local hunt, which I’m not sure what their yearly subscription fee is now up to, but they require 50 acres or more of land in their hunt territory to join, or $5k/acre that you don’t have (so if you only have 40 acres, you’d have to pay $50k to make up the difference).
And as promlightshine mentioned, there are all the other additional costs too. Our fee includes all hunt breakfasts, parties, etc. except for specific fund-raisers like the hunt ball ($175/person) and night hunt/bbq ($20/person). But if you break it down by month, the fee is small if you compare it to the cost of going to a few “A” shows. 
Usually capping is limited to 3x per season.
Check if they have a website
I have never hunted, though would LOVE to if I ever have a horse for it:yes::). Because of this thread I looked on the website of a nearby hunt and the fees are there, so that is another possibility.
BTW, the hunt I looked at is $1000 for an individual and $1900 for a family, but only $25 if you are under 25.
Christa
Did you go to Windy Hollow’s clinic? I missed to it this year (work :() If so, just contact the organizer and they can send you all the info… There are several different types of membership (full, weekday, people under 30, social memberships, etc).
Will you be attending Spring Valley’s clinic on the 16th?
Lauren: I went to Amwell Valley’s clinic. I will look in to going to Spring Valley but I think that might be a bit of a hike for me. Although it might be worth it as I had so much fun at Amwell’s clinic!
Hi…Sorry for the delay in response… as I was at the Millbrook Horse
Trials these past several days having a fabulous time!!
I’m in Area I -Millbrook NY Hunt Country
free phone call!
Also…most hunts have"junior" rates that are purposefully lower too! Thats to encourage younger & junior memberships. (Juniors ARE the future of all hunts ya know!) And how each hunt defines “juniors” or student memberships is different. Many will allow the lower rates for anyone under 21. Many for those that are still “dependent” on their parents as in college students of almost any age. But if you’re a 40 yo college student living at home?..well…maybe not!! :no::lol:
Call the hunt secretary and ask!! That’s free!!!
So, Lakeville, if you’re MAYBE a junior? You’re a lucky duck!!
If not a junior (maybe a junior wannabe? like me?) then welcome to my world! Personally I wanna know when hunts are gonna start offering senior discounts…yessirreee!!
if you’re thinking of amwell valley hounds then yes, there is a limit.
[QUOTE=horses4me;3420554]
Is there a maximum amount of times one can go capping? I know that fee is $50 which would be completely do able as I can only go hunting 2-3 times per month. It is rumored that the hunt I am thinking about joining is $2500 but I am going to call and find out for sure. Thanks for all the replies![/QUOTE]
double check me but i think you can only cap four times. after that you have to join if you ever want to go again. and i was told this is not per season, this is forever.
I believe it depends on the individual hunt. Our local hunt, Los Altos Hounds, allows people to cap for the hound exercise without counting toward the limit. They also allow a limited membership with a certain number of caps per year (and I think they will count it toward an upgrade if you choose to do a membership). They’re really friendly, and want people to give it a try, but it’s expensive to maintain the hounds and fixtures/etc.
A hunt I belonged to some time back had a much lower priced social membership- and social members could pay the cap and hunt as often as they liked. Guests were limited to three caps per year.
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