How To Get A Job In Hunting

If you dream about hunting hounds, what routes are there towards your goal? Frank Houghton Brown explains

- Frank Houghton Brown

LUCKILY for all of us who go hunting, there is still a steady stream of young people prepared to set off down a career path in the sport. Whether professional or amateur, whipper-in or hunt groom, countryman or amateur huntsman, there are always enthusiastic applicants who appear out of the woodwork to offer their services for virtually every position. There are great rewards to be had, but this choice must be made in the knowledge that it is not all “beer and skittles”. The job description has changed considerably over the years.

I was reminded of a true story when a huntsman was severely vexed after a poor day’s hunting. As if to rub salt in to the wound, God forbid he should hear his whipper-in whistling a merry tune in the kennels. For this most grievous sin, the whipper-in was sacked with immediate effect.

Hunt service is still a tough life where the huntsman’s word is law and tellings-off are dispensed more frequently than in most professions. It’s not suited to snowflakes and shrinking violets, but just as employment law has changed to bring fairness to the workplace, employers are understanding of the needs of modern hunt staff.

Mick Wills has spent his whole life in hunt service, the last 25 years of that career at the sharp end as huntsman to the Grafton.

“Through my job, I have met some of the best people you could ever meet and been to some of the greatest places. I couldn’t recommend it more.” He says wistfully. “I just remember all the good hounds and fantastic horses that I have had the privilege to hunt and it makes it all worthwhile. They say you can join the army to travel, but I have done it through hunting.”

Mick has hunted hounds in the US and travelled all over Ireland looking for hunt horses.