A Guide On How To Conduct Yourself Whilst HuntingThere are many rules, traditions and guidelines to be aware of when hunting.
When arriving at a meet it is important to familiarise yourself with whom the hunt staff are. Traditionally they would be obvious wearing their red jackets, however these days they blend in much more with the field to avoid being targeted by saboteurs.
The person in charge overall is the master (MFH); in some hunts this role is shared between two masters. While out hunting it is important to show respect to the master as well as the rest of the staff and remember that his word is final.
A huntsman controls the hounds and uses signals to direct them and ensure they operate as a pack. It is important to try not to get between the huntsman and his hounds. The huntsman is assisted by the whipper-in who outrides the hounds and helps control their direction. The hunt secretary is responsible for collecting the fees (or cap) from the followers. They are also responsible for monitoring the hunt including damage to landowners property.
As a follower you will be led by a field master (often one of the joint masters). You should remain as quiet as possible and listen carefully for instructions from the field master or senior followers.
Always give way to hunt staff and hounds that are trying to pass. Where possible keep your horse away from hounds and always turn the horse to face them as they pass. This is to prevent the horse from being spooked by a hound, kicking or accidently standing on them.
Remember when hunting that you are riding across other peoples land. Jump fences when there is no other way through and not as a schooling exercise for your horse. If you open a gate remember to close it again or ask the next person to close it by saying gate please as you go through which will be passed back until the last person who will close the gate. Likewise if you are the last person through and hear gate please ensure that you close the gate or ask someone to help you. If jumping while out hunting remember your common sense, dont attempt something that is too big for you or your horse and never jump too close behind someone else in case they fall. There are always going to be people who are not confident enough to jump everything so if you think something is too big then hold back and wait for others who will help you find an alternative route.
Remember, if in doubt at any stage as to what to do or you are unsure of what is going on, there will always be someone who will be willing to explain things and guide you.
