First time out hunting - so much fun!

[whicker]

Come Play!

Tango,
Part of the fun is that you can visit other hunts. We would love to see you at my home hunt, Old Dominion Hounds.

It’s grand fun to watch our hilltopping newbies eyes light up. Our territory is blessed with incredible views, so one can see how the fox outwits the hounds, the huntsman works, and the different fields of hunters follow. Frequently, our 3rd field Master, can place us so we are in the center of the swirl of the action. We often see the fox- sometimes frequently, as he loops back and uses us as a foil.

Check the coth hunt threads, for a rollicking read…:winkgrin:

[Ganymede]

Gosh, I’m not going to post how ridiculously low my hunt membership is!

But having evented, show jumped and now switched to hunting - it’s considerably cheaper, even if your hunt membership is higher.

Plus you need far less gear and the good quality gear will last forever.

[armandh]

cost comparison

of course it varies by hunt but generally less expensive than showing depending…

assume one has a trailer/towing vehicle,
most of the needed tack and apparel, and
a suitable horse

here cost of a seasons hunting would only get you through 2 or 3 HJ shows

several of our members event and find the two compatible

the second field may not ride as aggressively but it may have to go the long way around. some times just as tired or more so. and some times better views.

once pressed into leading the second field we were moving parallel to the first field when the hounds struck the line and were getting louder. we held at the edge of a field and in a moment the coyote crossed the far side followed by the strike hounds then a good part of the pack, then, after a moment, the huntsman and a few stranglers. I pointed which way and not seeing the first field we fell in behind the huntsman until they caught up.

[QUOTE=chaydgc;6048296]
Just curious-- and not meaning to take this thread on a detour-- but could you elaborate on the cost comparison? I’m starting out on horses (just 2 years in) and want to event. I can’t even afford my own horse at the moment-- maybe there’s still time to redirect my interests and ambitions to something more in line with my resources. (Actually, I really think I want to event AND hunt!).[/QUOTE]

[rivenoak]

@Ganymede;6049864

Gosh, I’m not going to post how ridiculously low my hunt membership is!

But having evented, show jumped and now switched to hunting - it’s considerably cheaper, even if your hunt membership is higher.

Plus you need far less gear and the good quality gear will last forever.

Can you beat $100 USD for an individual membership? I think that’s what the beagles are per year. Family is $145 USD.

Capping is $10. You can apply all of your caps toward your membership in one season.

Unbelievably inexpensive!

I know some people have suggested we raise the dues, but honestly, we want it to be affordable and for lots of people to try us out.

Looking forward to see if we have any more of the newbies tomorrow!

[JSwan]

THe foot pack I belong to (Bassets) has a very low membership fee. The cap is 10$

It’s a really fun group of people and since we hunt on foot, no horse is needed.

I think folks need to remember that many clubs hire a professional as huntsman. Some are full time positions, others aren’t but people are hired to help at the kennel. Orthe clubs may have costs unique to that club. Perhaps paying a lease for kennel grounds, or paneling, or whatever. So those sorts of costs will be factored into membership, as a huntsman needs a decent wage just like any other working stiff. And everyone has bills to pay. Some clubs may not be able to support a large membership due to territory size, landowner concerns about very large fields impacting their land, or other factors, so there are fewer members but a higher membership fee. Other clubs may not have those issues and can welcome a very large membership, likely reducing the cost of a membership.

[Flagstaff_Foxhunter]

The two sports complement each other beautifully, so if you can manage both, you’ll have the best of everything. You will not believe how brave you get (and your horse, too) going cross country. You will build incredible steering and brakes in the hunt field, and after a couple of seasons you will have an amazing partnership with your horse. You will only need to THINK which side of a tree you want to go on, and your horse will do it. (99%, other 1%, ouch.) All of the best eventers used to hunt. The military ones, too. If more eventers hunted, I believe we’d have far fewer wrecks and still be at long format. Controversy, begin… No, let’s not. Suffice it to say, you get great riders and great fit, tough, sane horses coming from a good hunting background.

You don’t need a fancy horse to hunt. Anything sound and sane will be perfect. You need a buddy to look after you, not a splendid mover.

And the social aspects are so nice. Don’t think snobby, finger sandwich crowd. Think old guys in flaming scarlet tailcoats boogying their wizened tushies off at the annual ball. Or a screamingly funny anecdote from the out whip at the tailgate breakfast. If you hunt, and you relocate to another hunt, you can count on having a network of new friends in a heartbeat.

Eventers, come on over. You can help us with our dressage.

[ManyDogs]

Yeah JSwan and Whicker!
I car followed and basseted a while back. It was great! I stayed with WateryGlen, whom I had never met before, and we acted like we had known each other for years. I have a feeling that is what hunt peeps are like. Never a stranger.

[whicker]

I 'm planning a nefarious scheme to lure Tango out. Have trailer, will wave the magic cloak…

Poof! Her horse will be here to play…Bwaaa-haaa-haaa!

[ManyDogs]

nefarious always works…