Dress Code and Etiquette

Dress Code Our dress code is fairly standard for fox hunting, and is described below. If you are new to the sport and do not have all the duds, we will waive the code. The only mandatory attire in any case is protective headgear. Persons with hair long enough to show below their hunt cap should wear a hair net. Like many others, when you get hooked on fox hunting, you’ll soon want to sport your own proper attire. Cub hunting Tweed or dark jacket; canary or tattersall vest optional; tan, beige or brick (rust) breeches; black or brown field boots or black dress boots; turtleneck shirt, button down shirt with tie, or banded collar shirt with stock tie; string gloves. Colors should be subdued and primarily earth tone. Black or brown protective hunt cap with chin strap required. [hunt cap should match boot color]

	Formal hunting Gentlemen Members with Colors: Pinque hunt coat with colors on collar; white shirt with white stock tie; canary vest; white breeches; white, tan or string gloves; tan-topped black dress boots. Black protective hunt cap with chin strap required. Lady Members with Colors: Black hunt coat with colors on collar; white shirt with white stock tie; canary vest; tan or beige breeches; tan or string gloves; patent-topped black dress boots. Black protective hunt cap with chin strap required. Members Without Colors: Black hunt coat, white shirt with white stock tie; canary vest; tan or beige breeches; tan or string gloves; black dress boots. Black protective hunt cap with chin strap required. Visitors with Colors from Another Hunt: You are welcome to wear your colors. Black protective hunt cap with chin strap required. Hot, Cold, or Foul Weather hunting: Check the hunt hotline if the weather will be unduly hot, cold or foul. During cubbing, we often waive jackets and shirts in favor of a dark-colored polo shirt in warm weather. During formal season, coats may be waived in warm weather, or in very cold or foul weather, the code may be waived entirely.

Etiquette [How to Get Invited Back to Hunt] [How to Tie a Stock Tie] For a complete description of hunting etiquette, please obtain a copy of Riding To Hounds In America or a similar publication. All new Beech Grove members receive a complimentary copy of Riding To Hounds In America. Here we just recap some rules essential to safety and fun, or which may not be consistent across all hunts. Hunting License Required: A small game hunting license is required for fox hunting in Tennessee. The license can be ordered on-line from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or purchased at any store selling hunting supplies including Wal-Mart. Show Up On Time. Please be ready to move off at the appointed time. Leave for the hunt in plenty of time to check in (if needed), finish tacking up, and get your horse settled. Check the Hunt Hotline. Make sure there have been no last minute changes of dress code, start time, or other changes. Stay With Your Field Master. If you must retire early or wish to move to a different flight, obtain permission from your Field Master. You do not want to be responsible for stopping everyone’s sport to search for a missing person. Keep Quiet While Hounds are Hunting. Huntsman, staff, and other members are listening carefully when hounds are hunting, to determine where hounds are and where they are going. It is critical that they are able to hear as much as possible. Do not talk while hounds are hunting. Save it for checks and hacking back in. Keep a Safe Distance. Don’t allow your horse to crowd the horse in front of it. It annoys the pressed horse, and puts the rider ahead of you at risk, should they accidentally dismount. No Smoking. Beech Grove is a non-smoking hunt.
Off Season and Other Activities We have a number of non-hunting activities which support the hunt and provide fun and camaraderie for the members. Here are some examples. Walking Hounds. We encourage members and friends to be regularly involved in exercising hounds. This is done five days per week (four during Season), either on foot, on bicycle, or on horseback. This is an ideal way to get to know the pack, and to help your horse get used to hounds. Fixture Maintenance and Work Parties. This all important activity makes it possible for us to get safely through the country. Lots of sweat and friendship and a great way to get to know the fixtures. Other activities include Hound Shows, Joint Meets, Landowner and Supporter Parties, Cross-Country Schooling Shows, and Clinics.
Photos by Gary Baldwin