About Us - Carrollton Hounds

Foxhunting has been part of the history of North America and Carroll County since colonial times. Maryland's Charles County was first hunted by Lord Brooke who brought a pack of hounds from England in the mid 1600s. Seeking a respite from the duties of public life, George Washington followed the hounds throughout his life. Members of the Carrollton Hounds, Inc. continue this old tradition today in the countryside of one of the Middle Atlantic's most scenic counties.
Foxhunting has a certain mystique that too often has discouraged many interested people from pursuing the sport. Part of this is the sport's reputation for being a past-time of the wealthy. The Carrollton Hounds takes pride in being a club that offers congenial family-oriented fellowship, healthy outdoor activity and a love of horses and hounds to anyone who can afford to own a horse.
Members come from all walks of life and include truck drivers, small business people, government employees and retirees. Though the sport is called Foxhunting, in reality it is fox chasing. In America, few foxes are ever killed by a pack. Rather, the fox will lead the hounds on a chase across country until it finds a hole or other place of safety. The huntsman then "lifts" or calls the hounds off to seek the scent of another fox. The members that follow the hounds, called "the field," enjoy the work of the hounds, the cry of the pack when in pursuit and hopefully, a beautiful view of the fox.
At most meets, the Carrollton Hounds has a "fast field," that gallops and jumps and a "slow field" that walks, trots and canters but avoids jumping. The slow field is an excellent place for the beginner to join in on the sport. Both fields are led by a field master and the slow field is often followed by experienced members who are training new horses or just want a slow ride. They are always happy to assist visitors and new members.
The Carrollton Hounds membership invites anyone who is interested in the sport of Foxhunting to join them in the field. The season begins on the first Sunday in September with informal hunting known as Cub hunting. The formal hunt season begins at the end of October and runs through the end of March, depending on the weather of course. The hounds go out each Wednesday and Sunday morning.
The Carrollton Hounds has a number of activities each year in addition to Foxhunting. These include:
Land Owners Day Picnic, Horse Trials, Hunter Paces, Game Days and Christmas Party
During the off season members and visitors are welcome to join the hunt staff to "walk out" or exercise the hounds. Walking out Occurs every Sunday morning at the kennels. This gives the newcomers a chance to learn the hounds and meet the members and staff.