Hunting Memories

unting Memories brings some new treatments of old themes to the hunting world with their bespoke hunting maps and figurines. Their ‘collections’ section originated with a realisation that many everyday things which were commonly found in homes which bore a hunting theme are now rapidly and sadly disappearing.

The bespoke figurines actually came about from acquiring a collection of ‘Rye Pottery’ figures of foxes, Hares, Otters, Badgers (and Rats), mostly attired in hunting clothes. The thought was, “I wonder if this could be done in a more realistic style which would incorporate the characteristics of both the hunter and hunted, - and would stand the scrutiny of hunting people themselves”?

So began one of those journeys which if sensibly thought about would never have taken place but sometimes not knowing that something can’t be done is the very thing needed in order to accomplish it. Various mediums were explored and discounted until finally a type of resin which would take the detail required and give a suitable surface for painting was settled on. A sculptor was chosen, (you want me to do what!) and a veritable team of ‘experts’ pitched in with ‘helpful advice’, hunting clothes and equipment. The pose for each figurine was taken from real ‘in the field’ situations, the Beagler who has just realised there is yet another ridge to go before the top of the hill; the excitement of the ‘view halloa’ of the fox and the decision time for the Otter hunter as drag going both ways is found. Each one had to be portrayed accurately, with the correct ‘spirit’ which did not caricature either hunter or hunted. All of the figurines are true representations of the original sculpture and are cast in one piece, not put together from separate pieces as many figurines are. This gave enormous problems to both the casting house and the painters. Have you ever tried painting a white whip thong against a coloured hunt coat collar? Or tried painting inside a fox or otter’s mouth. If you want to see just how accomplished their skills in this became, - zoom in on the site to the inside of the hunt cap held aloft by the fox and read the label. The stories surrounding how we recruited our painters would make a book in its own right. Their expertise as painters is matched by their passion for hunting and their knowledge of the subject.

Eventually we got there with figurines which we believe do stand alone in their field with nothing else like them, all made entirely in the UK and with everyone involved either an active participant in hunting or strong supporter. They are all limited editions and will not be repeated once their run is over. We currently paint them bespoke to the hunt colours of each purchaser with non horn carrying variants to cater for hunt members and subscribers. Each base is personalised with the name or hunt chosen by the purchaser along with its limited edition number and the figurine is mounted on a hand made solid oak plinth available in waxed or stained finish.

Our Bespoke hunting maps use modern technology to create a traditional ‘picture’ of someone’s personal hunting history in the UK. We can list up to 36 different hunts on one map and show where each type of hunting took place by the icon of the quarry positioned geographically on the map and the three most memorable hunts described separately against a background of vignettes depicting different types of hunting, painted by Rosemary Coates. Each map is personalised to its customer and can be supplied either unframed or framed in a variety of coloured mount effects. Our use of technology allows us to create something that will match in every respect a traditionally painted history map but at a fraction of the cost and looks absolutely splendid when framed and hung. The hardest part is for someone to remember all their hunts and the relevant years. To help with this you can download a template from the website to help put them into order and then use it to send the information back to us on-line, or just pick up the telephone and read it out to us. From then on, we do the rest.

Both bespoke figurines and hunting maps can be ordered in time for Christmas to make the ultimate in presents for true hunting people, gifts to cherish and remember.10% of each sale is donated to the MFHA Hunt Servant’s Fund (reg charity 229974).

The ‘collections’ section contains all sorts of things from rare taxidermy items and books to the obscure, unusual and somewhat strange. We’ve had fun writing the descriptions for many of them and we hope you’ll have as much fun reading them. You’ll be amazed at the sort of things we’ve discovered with a ‘hunting theme’. ‘Transvestite and pig’ is a classic example as is the ‘Is this what it’s going to be like? Hunting Plate’. There are also some truly beautiful and well loved items in there which are well worth a look as a special gift or just for you to remember hunting memories of your own.

Our special thanks go to Redstone Media for their superb web design and to Jim Meads for his support in kindly allowing his images to be used throughout the site. Jim’s images are true hunting memories in their own right.

Hunting Memories is always on the lookout to bring new, and old, items to its site to cater for the full spectrum of hunting people, no matter what your involvement with hunting and your level of participation, there’s something there for you.

Two new versions of the bespoke Otter figurines will be available in March enabling hunt colours for hunts that sported the twin peaked cap such as Border Counties and Courtney Tracey and Otter hunts such as the Culmstock who wore the traditional pot or bowler hat.