About Us
We are the only remaining pack of hounds in the UK that are affiliated to, but not funded, by a regiment – making them military, but you don’t have to be in the military to get involved. We are a friendly hunt, and welcome visitors as well as new members, supporters and car followers.
​
​The Royal Artillery Hunt’s hounds operate within the law by ensuring that our activities are compliant with the Hunting Act (2004). Our hounds hunt a bespoke scent laid using a scent loaded lure, and put down over a predetermined route.
​We are fortunate to enjoy access to some of the best Wiltshire farmland, but also, subject to licence, have unique access to areas of the Defence Estate.
Whether you’re hoping to hop hedges in our picturesque Vale country, or drag hunt over the uninterrupted expanse of Salisbury Plain, you are most welcome at the Royal Artillery Hunt.
Our History
The Royal Artillery Hunt, based on and around Salisbury Plain, was formed in 1907 when Mr A. E. Hussey gave his pack of Harriers to the officers of the Royal Artillery at Bulford. The pack was hunted until its demise in World War I when it was re-created by Major General E. W. R. R. Harrison in 1919. ​During World War II, the pack was reformed as foxhounds (because only foxhounds could be allocated a feed ration) and remains so to this day.
​
The RA Hunt still has the distinction of being the only recognised pack of foxhounds that remains that of an Army regiment, giving it a Regimental membership of over 650 people. Despite being a Regimental pack of hounds in many respects we are the Army’s (indeed the Armed Forces’) pack of hounds, as we count a high number of serving members from across the Armed Forces, military Civil Servants, veterans, and their dependants among us, as well as our civilian followers from across the full spectrum of careers, backgrounds and ages.
We have a large and very successful Pony Club and hold a number of events each year, including hound exercises and Pony Club trail-hunting days for our enthusiastic youngsters.​
2004-2024
Following a change in the law in 2004 (Hunting Act), the RA Hunt ceased the traditional hunting of live quarry and conducts lawful trail and drag hunting exercises.
Trail Hunting involves people on foot or horseback following a bespoke scent, laid along a predetermined route with hounds. It effectively replicates a traditional hunt but without an animal being chased, injured or killed.
The RA Hunt Today
Since September 2024, the Joint Mastership of the Royal Artillery Hunt has only trained hounds to hunt non-animal based scents.
​
Historically, the Royal Artillery has supported multiple Drag packs and at one time there were six Royal Artillery Drag Hunts. Drag Hunting was established in the 1800's to test the speed and agility of hounds and horse riders over a particular ‘line’. The Royal Artillery (Woolwich) Drag pack operated from 1866 to 1939 and the Royal Artillery (Bordon) Drag pack operated between 1923 and 1938 (both halted by military activity at the start of World War II). Following the War, the Royal Artillery (Oswestry) Drag pack operated between 1950 and 1956.​​​​​
