In hunting language the field is the term used for the mounted followers that follow the hounds and the hunt staff. The field are under the control and instruction of the Field Master - where he goes they may go.
Sometimes during a hunt only the hunt staff and the Masters may follow a pack, and in this case, the Field Master may have to take an alternative route or travel by road to catch up with the hounds. At the back of the field may be found "gate shutters". These are two or more members of the hunt who may have been appointed to shut gates and ensure that any fence jumped is stockproof after the hunt has gone through.
Gate Shutters report any fences to be mended to the kennel staff or to whomever is responsible. At the end of a days hunting either the huntsman or Master (or both) may visit some of the local farms to thank the landowners for allowing the hunt access to their property. For many who hunt or follow the hunt, the real thrill is the sight of watching a huntsman and his hounds at work. In the first instance they must find their fox, which is not an easy task, and, following that, they must have sufficient scenting powers to follow the line of that fox.
Tipperary Foxhounds. Photo © Catherine Power.
In the end, they will either lose their fox, mark him to ground or catch him. It is not always inevitable that they will find a fox or even that they will catch one - very often hunts have a "blank day". In addition the fox is a cunning and crafty animal and he uses many tricks to lose the hounds, like running through a field of slurry, crossing a river or running the length of a high wall. the odds are very often stacked in his favour.
Because of its popularity, foxhunting enjoys the support of a large number of car followers. These followers are the very backbone of hunting and their assistance is often invaluable. They enjoy hunting every bit as much as those on horseback - their knowledge of the countryside, the ways of the fox and his usual course is often invaluable. They enjoy hunting every bit as much as those on horse back - their knowledge of the countryside, the ways of the fox and his usual course is exceptional and often uncanny.