Q: What are the Hunt’s goals?
Our hunt ‘s first priority is to provide exhilarating sport across beautiful country with the memorable sound of hounds in “full cry” and the opportunity to “view” a coyote, fox, or bobcat. We seek to do this in the company of fun people who enjoy the hunt and each other. We aim to be extremely professional about our hunting and very welcoming to newcomers and guests.

Q: Where are you located?
The hunt kennels are located just outside Greensboro, Alabama about 40 miles south of Tuscaloosa. We hunt in two states, Alabama and Mississippi. All the Alabama meet sites are within 30 minutes of the kennel. The Mississippi country includes several meet sites within 30 minutes of Macon. There is a guest house at the kennels, with rooms available on a first come/ first served basis. There is also a very reasonable, luxurious bed and breakfast in Greensboro (The Muckle House, See Link).

Q: What is the country like?
Wide open! Most of our country has small coverts and good galloping. A number of the sites are quail or other hunting locations. A few have jumps, primarily 2’6”-3’ coops, but all have gate options. Included in our current country, thanks to wonderfully welcoming landowners, are:

* Black Prairie Wildlife Area (Brooksville, MS). Centered around a state owned hunting property, Black Prairie is prime hunting country with small woods and large areas of open land or CRP land. With the private land we also have access to, Black Prairie is approximately 12,000 acres. Some jumping on the private land but none on the state land; some ditch and creek crossings. Four meet sites: The Club House, Lindsey Ferry Barn, Parkers, and Potts Road. Coyote, bobcat, fox.

* The Kennels (Greensboro, Al ) Small coverts, catfish ponds, and beef pastures. Approximately 6,000 acres. Very fast country with many jumps (all with gate/ gap options). Mainly coyote.

* Hales (Nr. Faunsdale/ Uniontown, Al) Primarily hunting (bird/ deer) country, with small coverts, a lot of open land and some pastures and CRP. Some jumps. Approximately 5,000 acres. Mainly coyote, bobcat.

* The Tabor Place (between Macon, MS and Aliceville, Al.) Wide open. Tiny coverts, open plough and pasture with catfish ponds. Approximately 6,800 acres. Very fast with perfect game viewing opportunities. No jumps. Mainly coyote.

* Pearsons (between Macon, MS and Aliceville, Al ) Primarily hunting country (bird/ deer) with small coverts and open land, some bottom land. No jumps, some creek crossings. Approximately 4,000 acres. Mainly coyote and bobcat.

* State Cattle Ranch (Near Greensboro, Al ) Largely wooded in approximately 40 acre blocks, with rides between sections. Property about 2,000 acres, our hunting concentrates in approximately 500 acres. No jumps. Mainly coyote.

* Bramlett’s (between Selma, Al and Uniontown, Al ) Primarily hunting country (bird/ deer) with small coverts and open land. No jumps. Approximately 3,000 acres. Mainly coyote and bobcat.

* Belchers (Sprott, Al between Marion, Al and Brent, Al ) Primarily hunting country (bird/ deer) with medium coverts, open land, and catfish ponds. Some bottom land (boundary with Cahaba River) and foothills of Appalachians. Approximately 6,000 acres. No jumps. Mainly coyote.

* Sugar Hill (Near Uniontown, Al ) Primarily hunting country with medium coverts, CRP, and open land. Approximately 4,800 acres. No jumps. Mainly coyote and bobcat.

* Hugh Thomas (Nr. Faunsdale/ Uniontown, Al.) Largely wooded, contiguous with Sugar Hill country, and Hale country. Some open area. Approximately 1,200 acres. Limited jumping. Primarily coyote.

* Como, MS (Near Memphis, TN ) Primarily hunting country (bird/ deer ). Small to medium sized coverts. Open ridges and crop land. Some jumps and creek crossings. Approximately acres. Coyote, fox and bobcat.

Q: Are Newcomers to Hunting Welcome? What do I Wear? What sort of Horse Will I Need?
Yes, absolutely. Please contact the Secretary. You should wear a safety helmet. In cubbing season (August- November), polo shirt (not red), breeches, boots/ chaps are appropriate. In formal season, jacket (preferably black), breeches, and boots preferred. However, we fully understand that newcomers may not be fully fitted to start with, and that’s fine with us. When (not if) you fall in love with this sport, we can advise you on outfits. Any horse is fine as long as it doesn’t kick hounds, other horses, or people (in that order !) and is safe for you.

Q: How Do I Become a Member? Can I Try Hunting First Without Becoming a Member?
The membership information and cost is included on the website or contact the Secretary. You may be a guest twice before deciding if you wish to become a member, and your guest fee (capping, currently $40 per hunt) can be applied to your membership. We welcome as new members people who enjoy what we are doing, who respect the land we hunt on, who appreciate the hounds and their efforts, who fit in and will volunteer to help.

Q: Who Are The Masters and the Staff?
There are four Masters who have been together since the beginning. Stephen Portch , who grew up hunting in England and is the retired Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, is the huntsman and is responsible for the hounds and kennels. Robert Temkovits , who was formerly a Master with Whitworth and is the owner of grocery stores in MS, is a whip and is responsible for country and fixture. Tommy Coleman, who had been a Master with Whitworth since 1990 and is a New Orleans businessman, is the business advisor and liaison to other hunts. Christina White, who was Hard Away’s first member and is a Director of Human Resources, is a whip and the Secretary/ administrative guru. Mary Walker, a native of Ireland and previously huntsman for North Hills and Shamrock, is our professional Kennel Huntsman and First Whip. Reginald (Red) Garrett , also provides professional assistance at the kennels and in the country, as well as being our road whip.

Q: How Many Hounds Do You Have and What Type are They?
We have approximately 35 couple (that is 70 ) of hounds. On any given day, we hunt between 15 ½ to 25 ½ couple (the half is for luck!) They are largely crossbred foxhounds, that is a mix of English and American bloodlines (with a few Irish, French, Welsh crosses thrown in for good measure). This is the breed largely invented and perfected by Mr. Ben Hardaway.

Q: How Many Members Do You Have and Where Do They Live?
We have between 20 and 30 members , including those from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Because we are not located near a large population center (which is why we will always have great country), our loyal members tend to travel long distances to hunt.

Q: Do You Have Any Special Events?
Yes. We have two “opening Meets” one in Mississippi and one in Alabama, which is the opening of the formal season. The Mississippi one is a two hunt week end with a social dinner. The Alabama one includes the pageantry of the “Blessing of the Hounds” by a clergyman. We usually also have at least two separate “joint meets” with other hunts, Midland and Fox River Valley. These are probably the two premier hunts in America (and two of the hunts that helped us get started with hounds, as well as Belle Meade, Moorland, and others) We combine our packs and host their members for a weekend. We make at least on “road trip” a year to Como , near Memphis for a weekend of hunting and fun. There are several other full weekend hunts, where a social event is usually included. We have a hunter pace/puppy show and dog races at the kennels once a year. The hunter pace is an approximately 5 mile course, with or without jumps, that people ride in pairs or small groups trying to match an unknown, “perfect” time. The puppy show includes our unhunted puppies being judged. The dog races include terrier races over a jumping course (designed by Steven Evely) and lurcher races following a mechanical lure. We ask members to bring food and drink to share after each hunt as we gather to tell stories (and lies) about the day’s hunting before traveling home.

Q: Where Does The Hunt’s Name Come From?
Yes it is quite a mouthful! It actually originates for the merger of two hunts in 2004: the long- established (1973) Whitworth Hunt and the young (2001) Hard Away Hounds. This merger has proved to be a blessing for all involved. Both hunts had good country; Whitworth had an established membership, Hard Away had a strong pack of hounds. They were only 1 hour 45 Minutes apart. Now the combined hunt has a critical mass of country, hounds, membership, resources, and energy to thrive long into the future. The Whitworth name came form one of their original countries (Whitworth Plantation). The Hard Away name came to recognize Mr. Ben Hardaway, America’s greatest foxhunter, and a supporter of the new hunt (one of several he has spawned). It also describes hounds “hard away” on their prey in “full cry”. Q: How Can I Get More Information? Contact the Secretary. (See “contact Us.” )