Hunting

About IHC Hunting

Iroquois is blessed with great hounds and hunt country and supportive landowners. This is a result of the diligence, skill and great leadership provided by the Joint-Masters. All their decisions are based upon extensive communication with landowners, hunt staff and members who expect them to do what is best for the club and the community as a whole. At the request of the Masters and Landowners, hunt members do not ride through the hunt country during the off-season, except on organized hunt club rides. This is as much a part of field etiquette, as all the careful observances carried out during hunt season.

Iroquois field members' main consideration in the hunt field is the safety of the hounds, horses and riders as well as respect for the land on which they ride. The most important thing to remember when hunting with Iroquois is that nothing is ever a hound's fault. It is up to the riders to give the hounds ample room to do their work and to make sure they never bring a horse out that will kick a hound. Fieldmembers always move aside when hounds are trying to catch up to the huntsman from behind, and they turn their horse's head to face the hounds as they go by. If a hound does get kicked by a horse, it is up to the fieldmembers to note the hound's color and sex, then report the incident to the fieldmaster so he or she can alert the hunt staff. That way, the hunt staff can check and make sure the hound does not need immediate medical attention. Each hound represents a significant financial investment to the hunt and all Iroquois members respect their value.

Medical Information

a. There is medical card which every member in the hunt should complete. This card includes information concerning:

(1) who is to be contacted in case of a medical emergency,
(2) the emergency room or hospital to which the member wishes to be taken, and
(3) the physician who should be contacted. This card should be kept in each member's hunt hat or in a special place in hunt clothing.

b. There is a notebook in the Hound truck which provides medical information to be completed by each foxhunter.

Guest Hunting

a. Guests hunt by permission of the Masters. If you wish to bring a guest, please call Jack van Nagell, preferably several days prior to the hunt.

b. When you bring a guest to the hunt, please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the cast.

c. The following steps should be followed:

1) Introduce the guest to the Masters and the Field Secretary, Betsy van Nagell.
2) Pay the cap to the Field Secretary prior to mounting.
3) Make sure your guest signs a waiver of liability prior to mounting.

d. You are responsible for your guest during the hunt. Please instruct your guest concerning proper dress, hunting etiquette, expected behavior of a horse around hounds, and being mannerly to landowners in the hunt country.

e. Plan to ride with your guest during the hunt if possible.

Hunting with Children

a. If a child comes hunting as a guest with the Iroquois on specified no cap days, he/she should ride with the designated children's Field Master.

b. If members bring their own child to hunt with the Iroquois, the child should hunt with his/her parent(s) usually in the back of the field. Parents are responsible for making sure that their child is properly attired and that their horse is well turned out.

c. Children and their parents should arrive at the meet at least 30 minutes prior to the cast, so that they have enough time to get mounted and to feel comfortable prior to the hunt.

Groom Hunting

a. Grooms hunt by permission of the Masters. If you plan to bring a groom hunting, please call Jack van Nagell prior to your groom coming out.

b. You are responsible for your groom at the meet and during the hunt. It is your responsibility to instruct your groom concerning all aspects of hunting, and specifically what is expected, including prompt arrival at the meets. A groom's horse should be well turned out, and a groom should be mannerly to all members of the field.

c. You should make every effort to ride with your groom. If, during the hunt, you cannot ride with your groom, it is your responsibility to make sure the groom's actions are appropriate, and they they are respectful and considerate to all members of the hunt.

d. If your groom is riding a green horse, it is your responsibility to ensure that the horse does not endanger any member of the field or impair another member's enjoyment of the hunt.

e. Grooms may be asked to open and close gates during a hunt. However, grooms should not automatically try to open and close gates without permission of the Field Master. A groom riding a green horse who is attempting to open or close a gate may endanger other members of the field.

Protocol for Changing Fields and Getting Gates

a. Generally, you should try to ride in one field during a hunt.

b. If you wish to change fields during a hunt, ask permission of your Field Master. Your Field Master will let you know when it is appropriate to change to another field.

c. Your Field Masters will tell you when they wish you to open or close a gate. Opening and closing gates will be coordinated by your Field Master in such a way as to facilitate the movement of the hunt, and the safety of the field.