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Iroquois Members
The Iroquois membership is comprised of a diverse
group of about 150 families that share an interest
in hounds, land conservation and the historic
traditions of foxhunting in America. Some of
them are farmers and hunt country landowners
and some live in Lexington and the surrounding
area. A number of hunt members do not ride with
the hunt, but enjoy the many social activities
offered throughout the year.
Community Tradition, Animal Welfare
The Iroquois Hunt Club is an integral part of
the farming community in southern Fayette County.
Although it is called a foxhunting club, the
main function of the hunt is to keep the coyotes
dispersed so they do not become a threat to
livestock and house pets. The hunt country is
a ten square mile area of land used for many
different types of farming. The land owners
allow the hunt club to put up jumps and gates
in their fence lines so horseback riders can
follow the hounds who are bred and trained to
chase coyotes by scent. Because of the hunt,
the coyotes are less apt to form packs and attack
livestock, and farmers are not forced to eliminate
them by poison or shooting. Coyotes are allowed
to survive, and the hounds provide wonderful
sport for hound, horse, coyote and fox lovers
throughout the winter months.
Iroquois Hounds
The life of an Iroquois foxhound is a dog's
heaven on earth. They live in a clean comfortable
kennel, get the best dog food available, receive
excellent veterinary care, have hundreds of
humans who love and adore them and all are provided
with a comfortable retirement when they can
no longer hunt due to age or injury. They are
one of the few canines in this day and age that
actually get to do what they were bred to do.
Each of the eighty hounds supported by the Iroquois
Hunt are as friendly as house dogs and love
to go hunting. |
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The
Magic of Hunting
"The magic
for us is sometimes to be found in the
sheer overpowering beauty of a single
image- dappled sunlight on dappled hounds
racing through woodland, or when standing
on a hill at first light and hearing the
cautious note of a single hound in the
mist joined by more and more until the
whole valley explodes in a frenzy of music."
- Ann Mallalieu
Click to hear the sound of their music.
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