I’m interested to know what other hunts are doing for merchandise. We have the typical things: polo shirts, t-shirts, ball caps, saddle pads, etc but are trying to come up with new ideas and are also trying to think of things to sell that non-members might be interested in–would love to hear your thoughts.
Our hunt has license plates and etched wine glasses, along with the hats, polos, and T shirts.
@Foxglove are you in a state that does not require two plates on vehicles? Or are you referring to vanity plates?
My one hunt does: polo shirts, ball caps, vests, Christmas ornaments, bottle openers, lapel pins, and drink glasses
The other hunt does: long and short sleeved t-shirts, polo shirts, vests, ball caps, tie, beer mugs, drink glasses, hunt buttons, stickers, and hunt territory maps
ecileh --both MI and IN only require a plate on the back of the vehicle. Battle Creek Hunt plates go on the front of the vehicle --I think a trailer decal would be awesome –
Thanks, Foxglove. We DO have decals for cars and trailers. 
NY requires plates on front and back.
You have to be careful that you do not attract the attention of the anti-hunt loonies when trying to get money out of non-members.
Naturally.
We’re not selling things online/making a big deal about merchandise via our FB page, etc. There is just a merchandise table at hunt-sponsored events. We’re looking to leverage the connection between our community (who are quite fond of the hunt), area horse people, and the hunt itself.
The problem we’re having is that all of the merchandise ideas tend to also primarily pick the pockets of the membership–things with logos on them and the like. We have a pretty small membership, so said pockets aren’t very deep.
I would love to be able to get a tie with our hunt emblem, and socks with that. I like to wear a men’s tie with ratcatcher.
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Your non-members you are hoping to sell to; are they horsey? Dog people? Country land-owning types? I’d consider who your target market is then see what you can sell that appeals to them. Maybe you should be selling nice leather dog leashes or bandanas with hunt logo for the dogs, not the people 
I don’t want to speak too soon as we are still in preliminary stages, but some of the under 30 crowd in our hunt are getting quotes for a fun graphic T w a funny saying and the club logo to help appeal to some of the younger crowd that ride with us already or who we are trying to entice. I think we can sell more to non-hunt members than members with something funny and clever then the traditional polo with a logo on it. Sometimes you need something fun and different. You always run the risk of offending the traditionalists with things like this, but we are getting prices and mock up from the clothing company then sending to the Board for approval. If someone really objects it won’t happen, but I think even our Board appreciate that everyone needs a giggle now and then. So far our President loves the idea. Our goal is to keep it cheap too, so of course that helps.
Horsey people, for the most part. The folks that come to our hunter paces, trail rides, etc. There was talk of trying to have a table at our Opening Day Blessing–which is well attended by the community (both horsey and non), but it turns out that the venue will not allow it.
I agree about fun merchandise that appeals to the --ahem-- younger crowd. We just haven’t seemed to figure out what that would be quite yet. Would love to see your shirts if they get approved!
