MASTER OF FOXHOUNDS (MFH) The Masters are in charge of every aspect of the hunt. They maintain relationships with members, staff and landowners. They are assisted by the Huntsman, Whippers-In, Secretary, Treasurer, and Field Masters. Some Masters may hold multiple positions within the hunt such as Master/Huntsman, Master/Whipper-In or Master/Field Master. Our staff are all volunteers who provide their own horses and are not compensated for their services.

HUNTSMAN The Huntsman (female or male) is the person who trains, hunts and maintains the hounds. Using voice and horn, the Huntsman controls the hounds and moves them from covert to covert. The Huntsman has the absolute right-of-way when directing the pack or leading it to a scent or covert. Please listen carefully to the Huntsman/hounds and avoid speaking loudly in the field. If the Huntsman must ride through the field, please turn your horses head toward him to avoid the possibility of kicking out at him, his horse, or hounds.

WHIPPERS-IN The Whippers-In or Whips are the eyes and ears of the Huntsman. Due to their responsibilities during the hunt, they often overtake the Field, please note that they have absolute right-of-way so they can proceed in their work without delay. Riders must yield to them immediately whenever you see or hear that they are approaching. “Ware Staff” or “Staff please” is an indication to you that Staff may need to pass. Always turn your horse’s head toward the Whippers-In if they pass close to you, so that your horse cannot possibly kick their horse or the hounds as they pass. It is imperative that staff can get to their intended destination as quickly as possible in case they need to get ahead of or stop hounds.

HONORARY SECRETARY The Honorary Secretary is the business and social manager of the hunt. The Secretary maintains a list of all members and emails scheduling information and announcements.

HONORARY TREASURER The Honorary Treasurer is responsible for maintaining the hunt’s financial account(s) and approving invoices and reimbursements.

FIELD MASTERS: The Field Masters lead the riders in their flights during the hunt, keeping flights close enough to the Huntsman and the pack to watch the hounds work, but not so close to interfere with them. The Field Masters are responsible for keeping their field in order, safe and showing good sport. They are

also responsible for making sure landowner interests are protected. All riders should listen carefully to the announcements from Field Masters and follow their instructions during the hunt. There will be separate Field Masters to lead First, Second, and Third flights. The Field Masters may call on members of the field to perform duties during the hunt, such as opening and closing gates, replacing poles over coops, repairing damage to property, or accompanying a disabled horse or rider back home. Everyone should be alert for these situations and volunteer when special help is needed.

FIELD SECRETARY: The designated person within the hunt responsible for checking in horses/guests before the hunt. He or She will collect capping fees and required liability waivers at each meet.

CUB HUNTING: Also referred to as Autumn Hunting or Cubbing, this period of the early hunting season is often informal. Hunts are somewhat shorter due to higher temperatures, young hounds are learning to hunt, the quarry are learning to run and it’s often a great time to bring out new horses to learn at a slower pace. Attire may be as informal as polo shirts, breeches and boots or ratcatcher.

CAST: When the huntsman sends hounds into a cover or brings them together and then sends them another direction, he is said to be casting his hounds.

CHECK: When hounds in chase stop for want of scent or have overrun it.

COLORS: Every hunt has their particular color. This color is worn on their collar and lapel when wearing scarlet. When hunting in formal attire riders have either scarlet or black coats, but the colors on their collar are always the same. Only members who have been awarded colors can wear that color on their coats.

COVERT: The cover where the hounds look for the quarry. It can be heavy brush, thick grass, woods, or anything that requires the hounds search through it.

FULL CRY: When the whole pack is running hard after the quarry and throwing or giving tongue.

GONE TO GROUND: When a fox or coyote goes into a natural earth, hole or drain.

HEEL: The hounds are said to be running heel when they get on the scent of the quarry and run it back the way the quarry came from instead of the way it went.

HOLD HARD: A huntsman’s or field master’s verbal order to quickly stop others. This may be when the pack checks to keep the field from riding over the line or when overeager riders are pressing hounds too closely.

RIOT: When hounds hunt anything besides intended quarry it is called riot; the term used is “Ware riot”.

TALLY HO: The halloo when anyone sees the quarry, and only then, if desirable to halloa it loudly. Field members do not use tally ho or halloa when riding the field. They report the sighting to the Masters.

TALLY HO BACK: When the fox comes out, and heads back again.

“WARE”: Short for beware, for example “Ware staff”, “Ware Hounds”, “Ware hole”, etc. This term signifies to the field to be alert and to prepare for oncoming staff, hounds, or potential dangers such as holes/glass bottles/hidden culverts/wire.