THE first cry of hounds, the chatter at the meet, ponies with rather more enthusiasm than their young riders had planned for and familiar faces appearing through the gate. To those of us who hunt, it is all wonderfully normal. To someone watching from the roadside, however, it can be a world they know very little about.

There are few places where generations mix quite as naturally as they do in hunting. A child on a pony can find themselves alongside someone who has hunted the same country for half a century, both sharing the same excitement when hounds move off. Age, background and experience seem to matter a little less once everyone is out for the same reason.

Knowledge of hunting and the countryside is passed from one person to another almost without us noticing. You learn when to stand back and let hounds work, how to behave around livestock, to shut the gate behind you and, most importantly, never to take for granted the generosity of the farmers and landowners who make our days possible.

Built over time

Our landowners are the backbone of hunting. Every day we enjoy across the countryside relies on their goodwill, trust and generosity. It is something we can never take for granted and for which we are incredibly grateful. These relationships are built over time, through respect, communication and an understanding that we are guests on somebody else’s land.

The same is true of our links with the wider communities in which we hunt. Hunting does not exist in isolation. Farmers, neighbours, local businesses, families who come out to watch, foot followers and volunteers all form part of the fabric of a day’s hunting. Maintaining those connections and being a positive part of our local communities matter enormously.

Nobody hands you a rulebook on your first morning. Somebody tells you where to stand, gives you a lead when courage temporarily deserts you, catches a gate or explains why something is done a particular way. Before long, you find yourself doing the same for somebody else.

Perhaps now we need to share that knowledge beyond those already involved.

Hosting open days

It has been hugely encouraging to see mounted and foot packs around Ireland attending agricultural shows, hosting open days and bringing hounds into their communities. They are giving people who may have no previous connection with hunting the opportunity to meet hounds, talk to those involved and see for themselves what it is all about.

Sometimes it really is as simple as meeting the hounds.

Children discover that each hound has a name, a personality and, occasionally, selective hearing! Adults have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about everything that happens away from a hunting day, from the year round care and exercise of hounds to the relationships with landowners and communities that make it possible.

For those of us already involved, it is easy to forget that the biggest barrier for someone interested in hunting, may simply be not knowing where to start.

You do not need to have grown up in a hunting family, own a horse or know the right person. Foot packs provide a fantastic way to experience following hounds, while many mounted packs welcome foot and car followers alongside those on horseback. Agricultural shows and open days offer another easy introduction.

If you have watched your local hunt pass, seen hounds at a show or simply wondered what a day following them is actually like, contact your local pack and see it first-hand. Meet the hounds, ask questions or follow for a day.

Not everyone who does so will become involved, nor should that be the measure of success. If someone leaves knowing a little more about hounds, hunting and the rural community around it, that engagement has achieved something.

For others, that first encounter may spark an interest that lasts a lifetime.

Those of us who were welcomed into hunting have a responsibility to extend that same welcome to others, while never forgetting the landowners, farmers and communities whose support makes our days possible.

Sometimes, all we need to do is open the gate.