Would you join a hunt that was 2-2.5hrs away?

[Feliz]

I’m so on the fence about this and I’d love some opinions

Last year I relocated to a new area and hunted the season with the local hunt – Hunt A. I was excited to get out into some new country, meet local people etc. It was . . . fine . . . the people were nice and I have made some friends, but it wasn’t as friendly as my old hunt. The hunting itself was quite different – the country tends to be steep and clay footing – so it can be pretty slippery and therefore the hunting is slower. Cancellations when it gets wetter through winter aren’t uncommon.

I also went out a few times with Hunt B as a guest. Hunt B is quite a bit further, but on very good footing and while steep at some properties it’s never slippery and rarely has cancellations. Hunt B is over some beautiful open country and runs fast. Even on “average” days I’ve enjoyed myself with them.

Average drive time to Hunt A is just over 1hr, Hunt B is 2-2.5hrs. I’ve done day trips to Hunt B fairly frequently and it’s fine, but I’m worried I’ll get partway into the season and get sick of it. Most of the drive time is on reasonable roads, some of the hunts are on some windy back roads for the last 30min or so. The distance would also make it more difficult for me to be involved in the hunt – working bees etc.

Financially I can’t afford to join both. I can cap with Hunt A up to 6 x per season, which means I could go out with them if Hunt B is at one of their further away fixtures. I generally only hunt in the weekend and work full time, so don’t want to be totally shattered every Monday! I can occasionally overnight at a friend’s in Hunt B’s area if I wanted/needed to.

Really, I love Hunt B – the country and the style of hunting just really suits me. Hunt A is nice – if it was the only option I’d enjoy it.

[ecileh]

I am a member of a hunt that is located about an hour from my house, but about 2 from my barn. After two years, that 4 hour drive on hunt days was really a grind. Up earlier, home later… I have friends who are kind enough to let my mare and I bunk in the hunt territory and that is great, but it also makes hunting a two-day experience and eats up pretty much the whole weekend. And informal season was right out–I’d have to leave my barn at 3am to get there in time!

I solved my problem by having my husband build me a stall in our barn so I could have a Mare BnB the night before a hunt, but I know that’s not an option for everyone.

TLDR: My suggestion would be to join the closer hunt and cap with the one farther away. Sometimes, hunts even have membership levels that account for distance…might be worth looking into.

[Zu_Zu]

I agree with ecileh ~ join the closer hunt and cap with the other hunt ~ best of both worlds ; given time and distance and fatigue. Enjoy !

[Bogie]

Personally, I would join the closer hunt and cap at the other. I don’t enjoy trailering enough to log that kind of distance unless the hunting was exceptional. Plus, I’m usually tired after one and don’t necessarily want a 2 hour drive home.

[jawa]

Many hunts have an associate membership if you belong to another hunt. The AM allows you to hunt a certain number of times a season and allows you to enjoy hunt functions (social events, trail rides, etc) for way less than a full membership.

2-2 1/2 hours is a LONG way.

I agree with the others, join hunt A and either cap with B, or join as an associate member.

[tinah]

my hunt is 2.5 hours away. The next closest are about 4 hours, one north, one south. It’s a lot of diesel, but better than no hunting.

[SLW]

Do check into the capping allowances before making a decision. My hunt allows a person to cap 3 times, lifetime limit. After that a person has to select a membership level which is full riding or social and there’s no hunting with the social membership. We do have an out of town riding membership which is quite reasonable and has no restrictions on number of times allowed to hunt.

[crosscreeksh]

FWIW - I find the long drive HOME worse than the drive TO the hunt!! I’m with the others. Join A and cap to B!

[Feliz]

Thanks, I think you’re all right that driving that far every weekend would be unsustainable. I will just enjoy my time with Hunt A and go to Hunt B when I can

[xeroxchick]

There is a hunt in my area, at most a half hour drive, but I’ve belonged to a hunt 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours away for 27 years because the hunting is SO much better. In recent years have shared a hunt box with stabling and have really enjoyed that. I will say the drive makes my back hurt a lot more than the four to six hour hunts. So my choice is to go to the better hunting. Long runs, lots of game, gorgeous country rather than go for convenience and hunt in suburban crowded areas. It’s a personal choice you need to make.

[gypsymare]

I’d drive farther. Another 2 hours in the car for more excellent hunting is totally worth it.

[Sing_Mia_Song]

I am with the others about being a member of Hunt A and capping at Hunt B. And, to be honest, I would feel really badly for my horse hauling my ass all over the countryside and then being on a trailer for 2- 2 1/2 hours going home…

[xeroxchick]

@Sing Mia Song

I am with the others about being a member of Hunt A and capping at Hunt B. And, to be honest, I would feel really badly for my horse hauling my ass all over the countryside and then being on a trailer for 2- 2 1/2 hours going home…

We have a few members who come from much farther away, like from New Orleans and Jackson Missippippi. Those are big hauls and their horses seem fine.