Terrier Work & Rules
After the foxes have been 'put to ground' terriers account for an important segment of the tally. The terrier man for the Kincardineshire Hunt is Richard Bourne who conducts his business skillfully and humanely and plays a vital role in the hunts overall efficiency.
When a terrier is put to ground, it follows the fox through the earth until the fox 'Comes to Bay'. Using a locator collar the terrier man then digs down onto the terrier and removes it. The fox is then shot. The terrier should not bite the fox at any time, but should stand back and bark at it. The carcass is then either removed, or hounds are allowed back to the hole to get their reward. The M.F.H.A. (Masters of Foxhounds Association) publish clear rules on terrier work, which are reproduced below.
M.F.H.A. TERRIER RULES
When a fox is run to ground it is for the Master to decide what is to be done and he shall have regard to the wishes of the landowner concerned. If the decision is that the fox be killed it must be humanely destroyed.
When a hunted fox is run to ground in a natural earth, there should be no digging other than for the purpose of humanely destroying the fox.
A Fox, which has been handled, must be humanely destroyed immediately, or left, but under no circumstances hunted.
The practise of bolting a fresh fox is permitted.
The practise of bolting a hunted fox, which has taken refuge in any man made structure such as drains, stick heaps, straw bales and the like, and also in rocks and places in which digging is impossible, is permitted.
The practise of bolting should only be undertaken when hounds have been taken away such a distance that they are out of sight of the place of refuge and unable to hear any operations thereat. In any event, a fox when bolted must be given a fair and sporting chance of escape before hounds are laid on.
When digging or bolting, only one terrier may be used at a time, except in clitters of rocks or large stacks of bales.
It is forbidden for Terriermen to bring on a dead fox to be broken up by hounds. All carcasses of dead foxes, whether caught by hounds or dug out, must be picked up and disposed of.
You are reminded that digging is allowed only at the request of the landowner, farmer, or shooting te shooting tenant. This may be verbal and may be received before the Hunting season. The decision on whether to dig remains with the Master.
MASTER FOXHOUNDS ASSOCIATION - Update to terrier rules by Lord Daresbury - Chairman
Rule 12
(1) When a fox is run to ground, digging is allowed only at the request of the Landowner, Farmer or Shooting Tennant. This may be verbal and may be received before the hunting season. The decision on whether to dig remains with the Master. If the decision ias that the fox be killed, it must be humanely destroyed.
(2) When a hunted fox is run to ground in a natural earth, there shall be no digging other than for the purpose of humanely destroying the fox
(3) A fox that has been handled must be humanely destroyed immediately or left, but under no circumstances hunted.
(4) Nets may be used for fox control only. Rule 12(3) above apllies to netted foxes.
(5) The practice of bolting a hunted fox is permitted if, asnd only if, it has taken refuge in: a) A man man structure, such as drains, stick heaps, straw bales, banks and the like; or b) Rocks or places where digging is impossible.
Rule 13
(1) The Master in charge, or someone of authority personally appointed by him, must supervise any digging or bolting operation.
(2) In any bolting operation a) Hounds must first be taken out of sight and out of hearing; b) The fox when bolted must be given fair chance of escape before hounds are laid on.
(3) One or two persons only should accompany the Terrier Man on any digging or bolting operation. If, on occasions, more are needed they should be kept to the minimum.
(4) Whenever possible, only one Terrier should be used at a time when digging or bolting.
(5) Terrier work which will involve delays to traffic on roads should not be undertaken.
Rule 18
All carcasses of dead foxes, whether caught by hounds or dug out, should be picked up and disposed of. Dead foxes which have been dug out must not be brought on to be broken up by hounds.