A Voice from the USA
Foxhunting in the States compared to the Current Sport in the United Kingdom
Chris Allen
TMV USA columnist Chris 'Tiny' Allen (British bred and entered to fox) is currently connected with the Farmington Beagles in Virginia.
I’ve been Stateside for 14 years and initially came across to hunt the Los Altos Foxhounds in California, having previously been connected with the Bonnelle Staghounds in France. I was master and huntsman for the Stoke Hill Beagles 1983-84, and 1981/1983 I hunted the Wigtownshire Foxhounds for Lady Stair. I started in hunt service at the Tickham as second Whip in the sixties, much to the chagrin of my father who wanted me to follow him into the medical profession. Suzy my wife has supported me in every venture, and whipped-in. She's also an excellent skinner.
Well, apart from the obvious fact that we can still hunt reynard in his wild and natural state, with a complete pack of hounds (instead of just two hounds, flushing to a gun) I will endeavor to tell you how it is in the ‘wild and wooly west’.
Firstly, it is not all about fox control here as there are not the same numbers that require active culling. But that’s not the case with coyotes which many packs now pursue as their quarry. They have tended to move on foxes from their own territory, but foxes seem to be acclimatizing to their habits, and adapting to the coyote migration.
Anyone that has hunted with an American pack will tell you that the good old traditions remain in place, etiquette is very much preserved, with most hunt clubs issuing their rules and regulations before one hunts with them.
Foxhunting in the USA is all about socializing, let’s face it... and this is much more apparent this ‘side of the pond’. Tailgates are lovely hospitable occasions, with usually a wonderful array of victuals. Many hunt clubs have their own Clubhouse, and after the horses have been tended to, folks will retreat to these places, which are very often in, or near to the kennel complex. In this respect some packs start and end their day’s sport from the kennels, especially if they have their own vast territory.
I once was out with a Virginian pack, following in my truck, when they happened to kill a fox near to the end of the day, and the whipper-in asked me to take the fox back to the kennels. In doing so I was royally berated by the Master’s wife: “take it away you nincompoop, our people don’t wish to see this,” and this is so true. The average American hunt follower would be horrified to see a fox caught - their enjoyment is in riding to hounds across wild and beautiful countryside.
Most hunt countries are paneled (hunt jumps placed) with chicken coops placed over wire, and tend to measure around 3’- 6”, and they are inviting to jump. Just as it is in the UK there will be a fieldmaster, and in most cases there is a Hill-Topping contingent in the second string, for folks who do not wish to jump, and might suit elderly or very young followers. There are also car followers with many packs, but not in such great numbers as there are in Great Britain.
Every pack has its fair share of knowledgeable members, and sometimes great characters, and a ‘limey’ will tend to be received as a VIP and warmly welcomed, unless he’s a complete ‘prat’.
Blue Ridge Huntsman Dennis Downing shows hounds at their
Puppy Show | Image © www.KLMImages.com
Some of the top-class hunt clubs, such as the Blue Ridge Hunt in Virginia, hold a Puppy Show showing marvelous quality foxhounds, traditionally judged by a leading English MFH, and one would feel much at home - like being in Gloucestershire, with all the notable hound people and visiting huntsmen being present; always made better with the presence of a distinguished ‘Running’ British photographer. The day is concluded with a lavish English Tea served in the marquee tent.
Let’s hope that the Conservative Party will regain power in Parliament and that awful, useless, piece of legislation will be overturned, and the status quo returned to the foxhunting field once more.
Be happy that your American cousins are upholding your beloved sport in its best traditions, and be confident that everyone here stands firmly by the efforts to rescind the Hunting Act.
Chris Allen