This document was copied exactly from the members area of the Hunting Office website.
Code of Conduct for Lawful Hunting when following the XXXXXXXXXXX Hunt.
Objective
This Code of Conduct aims to make sure that all members of the hunt following on a days hunting behave with courtesy, respect and good manners towards each other, hunt officials as well as members of the public.
Who does this apply to?
The Hunt membership includes all those following on horses, ponies, in cars, bicycles,
quad bike’s and on foot. Members should therefore agree collectively, and individually, to
follow a simple common sense code of conduct with self-regulation, enforced if necessary by the Masters and Hunt Committee.
Antis and Hunt Saboteurs
All followers (mounted, on foot or in a car) are reminded that they should not engage with anti-hunt monitors or saboteurs on any level whatsoever.
The XXXXX Hunt have appointed hunt monitors who are appropriately briefed – it is their job to follow and interact with the antis and saboteurs on a hunting day. No one else at all should be communicating with the antis or saboteurs.
If you see a hunt member or supporter communicating or interacting with an anti or hunt saboteur, please remind them to remain silent, not to interact and remove themselves from the situation.
On Horses or Ponies
- Followers on horseback are to remain with and follow the Field Master of the day.
They are to abide by his or her instructions. - To ride at all times with care and consideration for growing crops, livestock and field
margins. - If a Master or Field Master asks the field to keep off certain areas of land or asks for
the field to ride in single file it is the responsibility of whomever is at the back to
make sure the remaining field are aware of and adhere to the instruction. - To make stock proof immediately any damage caused to fences and hedges which
secure livestock and to report the damage to the hunt secretaries, Masters or Field
Master immediately. - To shut gates securely at all times.
- On public highways, or anywhere else, to acknowledge other road or countryside
users. - On roads to ride or stand no more than 2 abreast down the left hand side of the road
allowing traffic to pass freely in both directions. Where possible stand off the road. - To thank traffic for slowing down and, if necessary, apologise for any inconvenience
caused. - To ask other members of the field, if required, to make way for oncoming / passing
Traffic and to allow it to pass safely. - Not to ride along a public highway using a mobile telephone unless in an
emergency. - To adhere to any notices (written or oral) given by the Joint Masters.
- To park safely, horse boxes and trailers as directed by masters at least a mile
outside villages. Horseboxes and trailers are not be parked in any way which
obstructs traffic or blocks any gateway; never park in a village or built up area. - The operation of changing second horses should never obstruct or delay any other
road users for any period of time. - To ride safely and with care and consideration for other riders.
Motor Vehicles (cars, motorbikes and quad bikes)
Vehicles always to be driven legally and safely with due care and attention and with courtesy
of other road users and the public.
Vehicles to remain on the road and, in or near villages not to drive or turn on verges,
mown or otherwise.
To access estate and farm tracks only with express permission of landowners and not
to leave the hard surface for parking or for any other reason.
Vehicles are not to overtake other hunt vehicles, climb pavements or turn around in
private driveways whilst in villages. It is preferable for them not to stop or park in
villages at all.
When parking, ensure hunt followers park on one side of the road to allow other road users to pass safely.
Quad bikes, motor bikes and any four-wheel drive vehicles are to only drive on
margins, tracks and edges of fields and not across drilled crops. Members using
these methods of transport are to only access private land with the express
permission of the appropriate farmers and landowners
Quad bikes are to be driven legally, safely and considerately at all times and, where
required, with its passenger sitting pillion.
On Foot
All foot followers again to respect farmland, livestock and fences/hedges and property and to shut gates.
To consider whether they are welcome rather than simply walking anywhere following hounds, with or without dogs.
All dogs to be kept on leads.
If a fox is seen not to point, holloa or shout as hounds are now only trail hunting. The Hunt staff will stop hounds as soon as they can if hounds are hunting illegally.
Younger Members and Followers – hunts should have a clear policy in place which considers the younger members coming out hunting or attending hunt activities. It is advisable to make sure that children under a certain age (16) are accompanied by a responsible adult when coming hunting or attending hunt activities.
Red Tape on Tails – a red ribbon should be placed on your horse’s tail if its hind legs are untrustworthy. It is the rider’s responsibility to keep such a horse in a place where it cannot kick another.
Green Tape on Tails – a green tape should be placed on your horse’s tail if it is young and / or in experienced in the hunting field.
Riders should always pay attention to the horse in front and give a generous amount of room to those horses with a green or a red ribbon. Equally, if a horse does not have a ribbon on its tail, it should not be used as a stopping barrier. No one can be accused of owning a kicking horse if you have just ridden into its backside!
Thanking and acknowledging other road users – all other road users should be acknowledged, respected and thanked. When standing in gateways, at junctions or on grass verges, always aim to face traffic (both yourself and your horse) – it looks a lot better to see smiling faces than riders’ backs and horses’ rear ends!
Facing Hounds – your horses head and shoulders should face hounds at all times, but especially when hounds are passing the field or individuals. Young or inexperienced horses should be kept away from hounds where possible. If your horse does strike a hound, please inform a member of hunt staff so that hound can be monitored.
Summary
All supporters and followers should take care and consideration of each other and of the reputation of the Hunt. Breaches of these codes of conduct are likely to jeopardise good will, access to private land and damage the Hunt’s reputation and the future for others. All of us represent the Hunt at all times and the hunting and countryside community both locally and across the country. Always support the Hunt, and any of its activities, quietly, diligently and with good manners.
The Little Hunting Handbook is an excellent guide about coming Hunting and gives a good summary of hunting terms, conduct and etiquette. It can be purchased from the Hunt Staff Benefit Society via fundraising@hsbs.org.uk or 01285 653001. It makes a great Christmas or Birthday gift for all our hunting enthusiast friends!