Spring and Fall Fox Hunts

The Fox Hunt is a social event that includes critter and pony play.

Camping is available in the State Park for Friday and Saturday night. We hold our Fox Hunt in the Las Padres Forest, about 30 miles north of Ojai. The Hunt festivities begin on Saturday morning after breakfast at 11 am. People who are camping typically arrive by FRIDAY. It is good to RSVP the coordinator of the event, so that the club knows how many people to expect.

If you are attending for only the day of the event is is also good to RSVP, so that the club knows how many people to expect.

You must have an Adventure Pass for the Las Padres Forest or a Day Pass to park your car in the National Forest. There is a small fee for the event, which is posted in announcements. The potluck is coordinated to be a balanced meal (when you RSVP the coordinator will tell you what type of item to bring and how many servings).

Schedule for The Fox Hunt Day Event:

Saturday morning

10 am   CHECK-IN TIME

11 am – Stirrup Cup – traditional toast to begin the festivities

Organize the hunters and release the Fox(es) from their cage.

We have 1 – 5 fox(es) confirmed for each event. A guide will go with each fox to mark trail. We are in a National Forest and do not wish to loose people.

Note: If you wish to be a Fox, please contact us for requirements.

The Guides with the Fox must mark their trail every 30 feet minimum, we provide markers.

The Fox may choose to run back to the campground once spotted by the Hounds, but if the Fox is tagged, the Fox must stop at that point. There will be a “free from hounds” cage/burrow to curl up in.

We will have Horns to flush the Fox and communicate with.

11:30 am – The Hunt begins

The dogs/critters are released next to find the fox.

The ponies and “riders” follow the dogs.

The idea is that the dogs/critters encircle the fox after the dog/critter that finds the fox tags him/her, and they all bark to bring the ponies and “riders” to the scene. The fox is de-tailed.

Being a social event, the hunt is followed by a pot luck dinner together and a Good-bye Toast.

SPECTATORS are welcome to follow the Hunt and partake in the Feast.

We always leave our camp site in better condition than when we arrived.

With budget cuts facing California, BRING more drinking and washing water than you think you need, plus your own toilet paper.

Be prepared.

A suggested Camping Check List:

Water for drinking and cleaning yourself (no shower or sink available)

Emergency Medical kit

Four person tent for 2 people

Queen size inflatable mattress (battery powered)

Double sleeping bag for 2 people (if you are needing to be in each others arms
and have separate sleeping bags you won’t like the experience as much)

Camping Table

Camping Chairs

Blankets to wrap in around fire at night &/or jackets

Lantern with fuel (check that it works before you leave)

Flashlights with batteries (check that it works before you leave)

Star Guide, and/or book

Wood for campfire (extra wood in case person who says they will have wood
doesn’t show – not that they would do that on purpose)

Lighting camp fire starter kit (chips, paper, flame)

Stove (have a double burner and a single burner so you can cook and make coffee
at the same time) with fuel. Check that the stove works before you leave.

Chuck Box: contains camping dishes, camping soap, rags, paper towels, sponge,
scrapper, 2 washing tubs (one to wash – one to rinse), utensils, cooking ware &
utensils, french press, plastic garbage bags

Personal Toiletries (all the stuff you use to clean yourself and groom without
electric available) There is no shower. Bring a tub for washing face, etc.

Food: plan each meal. Do you need an ice box and frozen packages to keep
things fresh? Don’t forget hot beverages other than coffee for night time.

Clothes: hiking/exploring gear, sitting around wear, sleeping wear, by the
campfire wear, thermals because it is colder than we hoped

All YOUR PONY / PUPPY / CRITTER / TRAINER / FOX gear, tack, equipment, tools,
stuff. Remember that we will do the hunt and then put up corral to perform in
after the feast. List off every item and check it off as it is packed.

Potluck dish for feast.

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