attn all irish dog men

[Bryan 1,362]

the code;

 

The following are the Rules and Procedures in relation to hunt terrier work of, and as observed by, all registered hunts engaged in Fox Hunting and affiliated to any of the following Associations:

 

The Irish Masters Of Foxhounds Association

The Irish Foot Harriers Association

The Irish Masters Of Harriers Association

 

General Principles

 

 

Fox Hunting as a sport is the hunting of the fox in its wild and natural state with a pack of hounds. Nothing shall be done which in any way compromises or is inconsistent with this precept, notwithstanding that the fox is vermin.

In all circumstances, the fox shall be given fair advantage before being hunted.

The Master/Committee's Nominee is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Rules and Procedures set out hereunder.

Formal organised hunting as a sport shall take place between the 1st August and the 31st of March inclusive.

Rules and procedures for the use of hunt terriers

 

 

The digging out of a hunted fox shall never be undertaken for the purpose of re-hunting that fox. Such fox must be humanely dispatched or left.

 

The decision whether or not a fox is to be dug out, with due regard for the wishes of the landowner/lawful occupier, shall be made by the Master or his nominee by reference to the following:

(A) The condition of the fox (e.g. mange, injured, maimed, aged, deformed).

 

( Local concerns about the impact of fox predation on other wildlife species (e.g. ground nesting birds, hares, wild fowl, etc.)

 

© The level of the local fox population

 

(D) Whether it appears that digging can be done quickly and efficiently, taking into account relevant factors such as the site/situation of the earth and the soil conditions/depth.

 

 

Digging shall only be conducted by a small number of experienced people and assistants appointed by the Master or his nominee. The hounds shall be kept well away out of sight and hearing of the location of the dig. Reasonable efforts shall be made to ensure that digging out will not become a public spectacle.

 

Only one terrier at a time may be used to locate the fox except in rocks, stacks of bales or stick piles, etc., where one terrier is unable to locate the fox.

 

When the terrier is located, it must be dug to as quickly as possible and withdrawn and the fox dispatched humanely.

 

No instruments may be used other than those required for digging or locating the terrier quickly. There shall be no handling of the fox, save as may be necessary for the safe, humane dispatchment of the fox below ground. Where possible, an electronic locator should be used in conjunction with a suitable baying terrier.

 

In no circumstances will a live fox which has been dug out be thrown to the hounds.

 

The carcass of the dead fox must be properly disposed of. The carcass of the dead fox may be fed to the hounds.

 

The earth and its surrounding area must be reinstated. Particular attention should be given to the safety of persons and livestock and the earth's future use.

 

If following commencement of the dig, it becomes apparent that the fox is inaccessible for the safe humane dispatchment, it may as an exceptional measure be bolted with the objective of being caught immediately.

 

The practice of bolting a fresh fox and the practice of bolting a fox which has gone into a man made structure, such as a drain, stick heap, rock pile, bale rick etc. and rocks or other places where digging is impossible/impractical, is permitted. Provided in any such case the fox must be given fair advantage before being hunted.

 

Earth Stopping

Earth stopping shall not be allowed for the sole purpose of preventing a hunted fox from going to ground. It shall be allowed, with due regard for the wishes of the landowner/lawful occupier, in the interests of the safety of, and the prevention of danger to other animals and/or members of the public, and to assist in the finding of foxes above ground. In general, earth stopping should be undertaken in any given instance only on lands to be traversed by the hunt in its initial stages.

[J Darcy 5,871]

Thanks for that educational post Bryan.

[Bryan 1,362]

Thanks for that educational post Bryan.

 

 

It's the public code of conduct and the politicans are happy with it so not too bad.

As the public reference for digging in Ireland i think it's good.

Bryan.

[scent 509]

bryan an excellent post there

[scent 509]

bryan an excellent post there

[Barrie 1,325]

Bryan

 

Many thanks for that post, which also provides a valuable insight into the way the Irish Hound Associations have already prepared themselves for whatever may lie ahead.

 

I.M.H.O. it would be short sighted of those terriermen outside of hunts not to prepare themselves in a similar manner, rather than risk being left out in the cold.

 

By way of example (and I'm not suggesting one size fits all), but this code was our saving grace in England, Scotland and Wales. It also served to ensure that our own people were fully aware of their legal rights and wrongs when faced with difficult situations N.W.T.F. Code.

 

The Code's value and what it achieved is pretty clear when one looks at the Burns Committee's comments on licensing (licensing being the Governments original proposal before the Hunting Act was highjacked by Labour backbenchers) "We consider that it might be productive, in the absence of a ban (on hunting with dogs), to explore the possibility of introducing some form of licensing system, possibly on the lines of those which exist to regulate hunting in some other countries". And "In the case of terrier work, another requirement might be membership of the National Working Terrier Federation and adherence to its code of conduct".

 

Kindest Regards - Barrie

Edited September 8, 2009 by Barrie

[events co-ordinator 353]

Bryan

 

Many thanks for that post, which also provides a valuable insight into the way the Irish Hound Associations have already prepared themselves for whatever may lie ahead.

 

I.M.H.O. it would be short sighted of those terriermen outside of hunts not to prepare themselves in a similar manner, rather than risk being left out in the cold.

 

By way of example (and I'm not suggesting one size fits all), but this code was our saving grace in England, Scotland and Wales. It also served to ensure that our own people were fully aware of their legal rights and wrongs when faced with difficult situations N.W.T.F. Code.

 

The Code's value and what it achieved is pretty clear when one looks at the Burns Committee's comments on licensing (licensing being the Governments original proposal before the Hunting Act was highjacked by Labour backbenchers) "We consider that it might be productive, in the absence of a ban (on hunting with dogs), to explore the possibility of introducing some form of licensing system, possibly on the lines of those which exist to regulate hunting in some other countries". And "In the case of terrier work, another requirement might be membership of the National Working Terrier Federation and adherence to its code of conduct".

 

Kindest Regards - Barrie

Echo that it worked very well in Scotland thats why we can still work our dogs as we need to but the amount of work required to get that result was incredible and

all organizations stood together YIS.

[burrowman 6]

Once again an excellent, well informed post by Bryan, also like to thank Barrie for his excellent advice.

Thanks to all lads for the helpfull advice. a.t.b. Burrowman.

[shovel 160]

Once again an excellent, well informed post by Bryan, also like to thank Barrie for his excellent advice.

Thanks to all lads for the helpfull advice. a.t.b. Burrowman.

Agree 100 %. All advice and ideas are much appreciated.atb shovel