Dear Members of the Fort Leavenworth Hunt,
As we kick off the 2025/2026 hunt season, we want to ensure that you feel fully informed about the “state of the hunt” and how this unique season will be conducted. As we continue to be a supported activity under the Army’s Family Morale Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) Directorate, all planning efforts have been undertaken in coordination with FMWR leadership. Additionally, masters have engaged our regional Masters of Foxhounds (MFHA) representative, Jane Jeffries, for guidance during this time of transition. We are grateful for her and MFHA’s support and dedication to ensuring that the country’s only remaining military hunt remains active.
Regarding hunting, our huntsman and staff worked over the summer to ensure hounds readily take direction from their new huntsman, operate as a pack, and are biddable. They also began familiarizing hounds with drag hunting (following scent laid by a human “fox”). For the first time in recent history, there were formal staff training sessions and a web page with resources for staff is now available.
In addition to training, walking out, and mounted hacks, hounds hunted twice at the Burwell Invitational and twice at Kansas Hunt Week to kick off the season.
Efforts to secure access to suitable land for hunting continue. We currently have local (near our previous home fixture) locations at which we can exercise hounds and hold drag hunts. The benefits of drag hunting are that it requires less land and that the “fox” influences the path and speed at which the hunt plays out. Potential access to larger local areas is being explored. (I.e., discussions with landowners are ongoing.) These include land in the Winchester and Easton areas that could potentially allow us to connect to portions of the former McGuire’s fixture that we still have permission to access. As soon as any new access is formally secured, we will share that information ASAP.
Note that we will not be drag hunting exclusively! Thanks to the graciousness and generosity of our sister hunts in Kansas, we will also continue to live hunt at least three times a month. The Flint Hills Hunt is a farmer’s pack led by huntsman Jim and Carlie Beisel. They are making their home fixture near Emporia (Settlers Acre) available so that FLH hounds and members can enjoy chasing coyotes in the Flint Hills. Additionally, the masters of our fellow MFHA-recognized hunt, Mission Valley, have invited FLH members to hunt with them for seven scheduled hunts this season. (FLH hounds may join the MVH pack at their convenience.) MVH is located in Paola, KS. Finally, we have access to Division Ranch in the Flint Hills twice per season.
The 2025/2026 hunt calendar is available in printed form (see MFH Jim Fain) and is digitally accessible at: https://ftleavenworthhunt.org/flh-events/. The online calendar will be updated in real time when there are changes.
While hunting is our primary focus, we are committed to offering or facilitating access to additional equine activities that members may enjoy, such as fun shows, cross-country schooling, trail rides, and hunter paces. We also encourage members to visit other hunts in the region when FLH is not hunting. Please remember to inform one of the FLH Masters before arranging to hunt “away” to ensure appropriate coordination with the other hunt.
In terms of finances, FLH, like all FMWR activities, must remain financially viable (defined as break-even or better) to maintain FMWR support. We ended the previous season (2024/2025) in the “red.” However, acknowledging the challenge presented by the loss of our primary fixture, FMWR agreed to continue full support for FLH through the 2025/2026 season. Membership dues are the primary source of revenue for FLH. Considering the circumstances, FMWR also supported keeping dues for 2025/2026 at current levels for all membership categories.
On the expense side, we have actively worked to reduce costs wherever possible. Through retirement and adoption placement of aging hounds, as well as deferring breeding for this season, we now have a smaller pack, which reduces food and preventative costs. Kennel staff have also secured food donations that further reduce costs. And, we are fortunate to have several members who donate considerable time and resources to maintain and improve our facilities.
We, the Joint Masters, are actively monitoring the financial situation and will meet with FMWR after the first of the year to reassess the dues structure going forward. Unfortunately, given the rising cost of virtually everything, an increase in FLH dues across all membership categories is expected. With strong membership numbers and reduced costs, however, we hope to keep the increase manageable.
Finally, this season we are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Fort Leavenworth Hunt. We plan to host a three-day celebration of FLH from March 5th to 7th, featuring a series of social and ceremonial activities. The program will include a historic ride at the Fort, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Buffalo Soldier Monument, our Closing Hunt, and our 2026 Hunt Ball. Detailed planning for this needs to begin soon, and we will need significant help from members to execute this to the level it deserves. Please reach out to MFH Jim Fain ([email protected]) if you are willing to help in any way!
To conclude, your hunt is very much still active, your masters are dedicated to its continued success, and efforts to address our challenges are underway. We realize much of the work being done has been “behind-the-scenes” and, while updates do go out through email and Facebook, we wanted to provide this direct communication to keep everyone in the loop. As we move forward, please feel welcome to reach out with questions, ideas, or leads on potential landowners!
We hope to see you all this Saturday, 8 November, for our Opening Hunt at Settlers Acre!
Most sincerely,
The Joint Masters
