Hunting in New Zealand

There are around 4500 hunting participants of all ages, from all walks of life involved in the sport, of which many of these are of varying riding ability enjoying the sport of riding horses to hounds.
Hunting is a special way to spend time combining horses, family, friends and other liked minded people. We love our hounds and it's very cool to watch them working and see the younger hounds develop as they come through.

 

Member Hunts

Hunts in NZ are all subscription packs administered by an elected Master and officials with the opportunity to hunt available to all.

A Huntsman is employed by or contracted to the Hunt to care for and hunt the hounds and maintain the Hunts property.

Hunting is a unique sport as it provides the opportunity for several generations to participate equally in sport together. It allows participants to enjoy the great outdoors whist experiencing the thrill of the chase following hounds over New Zealand's wonderful countryside in areas where access would not normally be available.

The Master

The Master is ultimately responsible for the running of the Hunt, the Kennels and the hunt day. The Master's word is final on all occasions.

The Master will have approved the fixture card and on hunt day will decide, in consultation with the Huntsman, how country will be drawn and when the Huntsman will blow for home.

The responsibility of the hunt day rests with the Master whose role along with the Huntsman is to provide the best sport possible and maintain the well being of the livestock and the property hunted. The proven and practical traditions of hunting in regard to procedure and etiquette are adhered to. For example riders are expected to attend the breakfast at the conclusion of the day to be present when the Master thanks the ever generous Landowners for sharing their country and making the sport possible.
I have hunted for 56 seasons and love the non competitive and social comradeship aspect of hunting.


The Huntsman

The Huntsman cares for the hounds and maintains the Kennels and the Hunt property.

The Huntsman is responsible for the welfare of the hounds at the Kennels including their exercise program prior to the season ensuring they are fit and ready to hunt. The Huntsman controls them in the field on hunt day and uses verbal and horn commands to achieve this.
I have a passion for watching a great pack of hounds work. Seeing our beautiful country and connecting people who are all out to enjoy life.


The Whippers In

There are normally two "Whippers-In" on a hunt day and their role is to assist the Huntsman to control the hounds. 

This is achieved by riding the outskirts of the hounds and being ready to move the pack on in the direction desired by the Huntsman. The Huntsman conveys his wishes to the hounds and thus the Whippers-In by voice and horn commands.

The Whippers-In are responsible only to the Huntsman and Master.

The Field

The Field consists of the mounted followers and is controlled by the Master who rides at the head of the Field with the Huntsman and Whippers-In in front.

The Masters role on the day is to keep the Field in touch with hounds at the same time ensuring the Huntsman has room to work them and not have the hounds "over-run" by the Field.

The Master is responsible for the field's care of the property by avoiding areas of concern to the Landowner.
I have never missed a hunting season for 74 years but now do not ride. but do follow in a vehicle to most hunting day's.


The Secretary

The Secretary is responsible to the Master for the day to day administration of the Hunt, communicating with members, attending to correspondence, paying accounts, subscriptions etc. 

Many Hunts have a Field Secretary whose duties vary from Hunt to Hunt which may include collecting subscriptions, days riding fees, caps and in some cases is responsible for certain properties

The secretary is in general the only other person retained by a Hunt on a professional basis.

Hunting Etiquette

Hunting traditions have evolved over the centuries to bring them in line with the changing times or country characteristics. However in reality hunting continues to be practiced internationally following the original basic principles.

Hunting etiquette is the 'unwritten code' associated with the sport and encompasses those tried and true traditions of procedure, dress and conduct that have been found to be practical to ensure the hunt day is organised, safe, enjoyable and in the best interest of the sport.

These traditions include simple courtesies. On arrival to a hunt (referred to as a meet) it is customary to greet the Master with “Good Morning Master”. It is also expected that when Landowners are present they are acknowledged by members with greetings and thanks.

As in all sports there is terminology associated with hunting. For example ‘Hunts’ are referred to as such and not as ‘Hunt Clubs’. ‘Hounds’ are not called ‘dogs’ and they ‘speak’ or ‘give tongue’ and do not bark. This is referred to as ‘music’ and not barking.
The tradition of following hounds started with my parents, I find it a great pleasure to be involved with the sport. Hounds, horses, friends and comrades are my passion.


Dress

Dress on the hunt field is largely traditional and essentially practical and is based on safety and comfort.

Each Hunt has registered colours with the NZ Hunts’ Association. This refers to the Hunt coat and collar colour and is distinctive for each Hunt. In most Hunts the Master and Huntsman wear a red coat, practically, this is very useful as it makes them distinctive in the field. There are many traditions associated with dress, one is the number of buttons that members, officials, Masters and Huntsmen wear.

And gentlemen and ladies wear different coloured breeches and stocks.

Hounds

There is etiquette associated with counting hounds. Hounds were often coupled together to allow better control when being walked to meets.

Therefore when counting hounds you would refer to 33 hounds as 16 ½ couple. There are few experiences more exhilarating than the sight and music of a pack of hounds in ‘full cry’ with a field in hot pursuit.

NZHA Official Description of the Harrier Hound

  • Characteristics: An active, well-balanced, well-muscled and good boned hound, full of strength and quality. Fearless, though of a kindly nature in or out of the pack. When being shown should exhibit presence and quality. Doghounds should show masculinity and bitches be feminine and ALL should show presence.

  • Head: Of medium size with a good, bold forehead. Stop slightly pronounced with a straight and powerful muzzle.

  • Bite: Must be even and regular, with a scissor bite – the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth.

  • Ears: Set high, lying close to the cheek and broad.

  • Shoulders: Fine, well laid back and sloping well into the muscles of the back.

  • Legs: Forelegs straight with plenty of bone, running well down to the toes with round cat like feet and close toes.

  • Elbows: Points set well away from the ribs, running parallel with the body and turning neither in nor out.

  • Body: The back should be level and muscular and not dipping behind the withers or arching over the loins. Deep, well sprung ribs, running well back, with plenty of heart room and a deep chest.

  • Stern: Well set on, long and well controlled rising higher than the back without the tip being turned over too much.

  • Coat: Short, dense, hard and glossy.

  • Colour: Any hound colour.

  • Height: Any height within reason, the ideal being 53.5 centimetres (21 inches).