Historical smithtown hunt

The Smithtown Hunt was organized in 1900 and recognized by the Masters of Foxhounds Association ("MFHA") in 1906. The Smithtown Hunt is now the only hunt surviving on Long Island. For many years, we hunted both live and drag, but in recent years have become exclusively a drag scent hunt. This means that a scent is laid on the ground, and it is that scent that the hounds follow. The Smithtown Hunt maintains a pack of cross-bred foxhounds that are registered with the MFHA. The hunt staff assists in the care, feeding and exercising of the pack, which is supervised by the Huntsman who is under the direction of the Masters.  The Smithtown Hunt is a Section 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, whose mission statement is Conservation, Education & Preservation. 

Barbara Clarke, MFH riding side saddle aboard Stowaway hurdling a fence at the 1980 Hampton Classic horse show at Dune Alpin Farm, East Hampton.

Photo contributed by Terri Redder

Contributed by Frankie Benedetto

Contributed by Frank D. Bradford, II

Contributed by Frank D. Bradford, II

 Interesting article about the history of hunting on Long Island.  Contributed by Merri Ferrell

Long Island Still Echoes, Faintly, to the Cry of "Tally Ho" - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Photo contributed by Arlene Brown-Petrucelli Mutschler   

Commander Edward Whitehead and Smithtown Hunt's Professional huntsman Gustov Mollet.  The Thornton estate Head of the Harbor, St. James.