About the Victorian Hound Hunters Inc. (VHH)

The VHH was formed several years ago when Hound Hunting as we knew it was under serious threat of extinction.

The first year of the organisation had a membership of 130 members. Today the VHH has grown to a current membership of some 3500 members and is growing at a rapid rate. Our Members are amongst the most  active hunters of all hunting groups. The VHH has become one of the largest hunting organisations in Australia today.

Membership cost for the VHH $60 for an individual and $70 for a family of Member and Spouse with children under the age of 18. A Junior membership for a person under the age of 18 is $10.00.

The VHH committee meets every second month at venues across the state. The VHH hold an annual General meeting where office bearers are duly elected for the coming year. Generally at all meetings there are raffles held. Members often support the raffles by supplying prizes as well as our fantastic sponsors who contribute some great hunting gear for the raffles. All of this helps to keep the VHH financial and is greatly appreciated.

There is a bi-monthly newsletter called the “Hound Pen”. The Hound Pen has current information and communication to members about up-coming events and VHH meeting locations. Also included in the Hound Pen is communication that is received from the various Government departments along with public interest in relation to Hunting. Members are invited to contribute articles relative to Hound Hunting or for the general hunting. Articles for publication can be sent to the VHH Secretary.

The VHH also produce a magazine that is published twice per year that also enables some of the many sponsors of the VHH to advertise there business. Members can send in pictures of hunts or trophies taken with hounds, overseas hunting trips or pictures of interest. Contributors may put together a story of the hunt. Some of these contributions have been great stories of past hunts that really show the passion that is Hound Hunting.

The VHH are involved in ongoing discussions with the DSE , Parks Victoria, DPI the Victoria State Government and the NSW Game Council in relation to improved and new opportunities for Hound Hunting. We are hopeful of improvements to access to previously lost hunting country and ever hopeful of opportunities be able to hunt in new areas.

The VHH are also in close contact and communication with the Major hunting organisations. Discussions on the future direction of Hunting in Victoria is a key topic The SSAA, VFGA have been extremely supportive of the VHH and this has been appreciated.

Every year the VHH holds the annual registration day at Tallarook. From a small gathering of Hound Hunters a few years ago this event has become a major day for the organisation. Up to 800 people have been in attendance on the day with a high of 550 Hounds arriving for assessment.

The VHH have for the past four years engaged international accredited Judges to assist in both assessment and training of hound assessors. The event is proving to be a very successful day. Hound assessors are also able to be contacted to perform assessments outside of the main Registration day. Contact details for assessors are available in the Hound Pen and Magazine.

Also over the past few years there has been a number of inter organisation rifle shoots take place. The boys from the VDA have certainly proved themselves to be worthy riflemen and it is suspected that a few “Ranga’s” have been recruited to assist in the competition. A shoot at the Woods Point Gun Club has also started to grow in popularity and we see this continuing. These shoots have been a great day out and are well supported.