So, it’s been brought to our attention that “Cubbing” may be politically incorrect. I keep hearing people say they are going roading, but they’re not because roading happens in the Spring, not in the Fall. If you don’t want to call it Cubbing, call it Autumn Hunting, but not Roading. We’re not trying to split hairs; we just want everyone to know what is actually what. (As the “Old Gaurd leaves the hunt field, so many people really don’t know the traditions and rules.)
Back in the day. Cubbing was about letting the young hounds hunt the cub foxes, but not anymore. Cub hunting is done before the formal season begins and is used to benefit the young entry by introducing them to the pack, not actually hunting the young fox. It is typically a slower pace as this is a period when horses, hounds, and riders are being conditioned. With all that said, what are we supposed to wear? First let me say, if you’re new to Hunting, come out with any turnout that is neat and tidy, we’ll convert you to the dark side later.
We’re all getting ready to start our hunt seasons and pull our gear out of the closet. It’s time to polish our boots and brush off our coats because the season is about to begin!
The attire for Cubbing is referred to as ‘Ratcatcher’ (we’ll get into where the name came from on another day). So, the most important piece in this “Kit” (we call our hunting outfits kits) is a tweed coat. Remember, it takes years to build a great kit, so do the best you can with what you have. Email us if you have any questions!
RATCATCHER HUNT KIT
- Tweed Coat, muted wool, single or double vent, with three buttons.
- A collared shirt with a man’s tie or a hunting shirt (show shirt) with a tattersall stock tie.
- Breeches, buff, tan or rust.
- String gloves or light tan, never white.
- Boots—brown or new market field boots if you have them. Black field boots are fine, too.
- Helmet, black or brown, ribbons up please, we are not staff.
We hope this little refresher helps as we all get ready for Hunt season. Remember to subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss a thing!
Perfect piece re the cubbing attire! Very helpful thank you! I am hoping to venture out next Monday on a hireling that I hope to buy. I’m slightly terrified though that it’s going to be crazy Quorn blasting over fields and sailing 6 foot hedges 6-a-breast though! How steady is Quorn cubbing? If I choose not to jump (I will be tempted eventually) will I get away with it?
Also what time do you meet for cubbing? I have probably a 40 minute drive to get to the yard (Pickwell) where the horse is.
Very best,
Helen
Hi Manav,
It’s not quite that. It’s a time when packs take out their young hounds to teach them to hunt. Though I’m sure there are some rough packs that might use the practice you talk about. We here at Chasing a Fox Hunt, are in America and we hunt with The Myopia Hounds which are a drag pack. A true fox hunter is not at all about actually killing a fox. It’s more about fox chasing and the sport of the following hounds.