Fox hunting is often thought of as a primarily British activity in which trained dogs pursue red fox, followed by human hunters who are usually on horses but sometimes on foot. A traditional equestrian activity, many animal rights activists object to it as a barbaric "blood sport", while proponents and participants view it as a crucial part of rural history in England, vital for conservation, and a method of pest control. In other countries where fox hunting is practiced, including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India, it may be traced back to British influence. At the time of the UK Government's Burns Inquiry* in 2000, it was reported that Portugal and Italy each had one fox hunting pack. Hunting also takes place in France. In the United States, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both kept packs of fox hounds before and after the Revolutionary War. The last U.S. President to hunt was Ronald Reagan, and the last First Lady to do so was Jacqueline Kennedy.
Animals
The Fox
The
fox is the most crucial participant in a fox hunt. A small,
omnivorous predator, the fox is driven from its preferred hiding places, generally known as
coverts (pronounced "covers"). In Europe the fox hunted is the
red fox (
Vulpes vulpes). In North America the
gray fox (
Urocyon cinereoargenteus) or
coyote (
Canis latrans) are often substituted, although the gray fox usually trees and is not considered sufficiently "sporting." In India, and in other former British Colonies, the
jackal was often the quarry, Some other animals such as
raccoon and
cougar are also hunted with dogs in North America, however the hunt is not ritualised and the dogs are employed to
tree the quarry rather than kill or drive the quarry to ground.
The hounds and other dogs
Fox
hunting dogs are more properly referred to as
hounds, and those specially bred and trained to assist in fox hunting are known as
foxhounds. Mostly
scent hounds (trained to pursue the fox based on its
scent), most are used for various types of
hunting.
Greyhounds (a type of
sight hound) are used running down hares (called
coursing), while
harriers are typically used for mounted hare hunting. (The name "harrier" originally comes from the prey animal, and only later is used in other English words such as "harry" or "harass.")
Beagles are used for hunting hares on foot (called "beagling") whilst more-or-less purebred
English Foxhounds are used for hunting
stag,
otter or
mink. Although it is technically possible to course foxes with
sighthounds such as
greyhounds or lurchers, to do so is considered unsporting because of the high mortality, and such coursing is mostly done by
poachers.
More on
[ Fox hunting ]
Wildlife :: Outdoors
Hound Group :: Breeds
Outdoors :: Recreation
Equestrian :: Sports
Hunting and Shooting :: Animal Rights
Equestrian
Foxhunting - Twitter SearchI have the perfect soundtrack for the show: http://bit.ly/3Pn6Ud #FoxHunting on the new #ShotGunFoxNights. #FOX call me. I have proposals.matuzalem (matuzalem) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:19:41 -0000
I have the perfect soundtrack for the show: http://bit.ly/3Pn6Ud #FoxHunting on the new #ShotGunFoxNights. #FOX call me. I have proposals.
foxhunting must be abolished. OK - it was a tradition, but so was slavery and child labour.jazzsims (Hazel Sims) Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:13:13 -0000
foxhunting must be abolished. OK - it was a tradition, but so was slavery and child labour.
Countryfile article on Tories plans to repeal anti foxhunting laws making my blood boil *grrr*CyberDiva2 (Liz Roebuck) Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:31:07 -0000
Countryfile article on Tories plans to repeal anti foxhunting laws making my blood boil *grrr*
Best I can do is share real-time tweets from our trail ride in the mountains today with Capone & the canines, a foxhunting warm-up. Yay!DrFausty (Fausty) Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:29:25 -0000
Best I can do is share real-time tweets from our trail ride in the mountains today with Capone & the canines, a foxhunting warm-up. Yay!
Watching #Countryfile about foxhunting - Hunters "think they should" be able to chase foxes" rather than just trails.No justification thoughkevupnorth (Kev Campbell-Wright) Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:24:07 -0000
Watching #Countryfile about foxhunting - Hunters "think they should" be able to chase foxes" rather than just trails.No justification though
If the Conservatives get into power they will remove the ban on foxhunting, the more I hear from those bastards the more I despise them.NapoleonIIIrd (Napoleon IIIrd) Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:07:01 -0000
If the Conservatives get into power they will remove the ban on foxhunting, the more I hear from those bastards the more I despise them.
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BBC: Fox Hunting Worldwide - The similarities and differences in hunting with hounds in various countries all over the world. Story and audio clips. [RealMedia]
Meta Description: [ Fox hunting is often viewed as a typically traditional British activity - but hunting with hounds takes place all over the world. ]
Committee of Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs in England and Wales - Official site of the UK governmental Inquiry which includes fox hunting, stag hunting, coursing and terrier work. Complete coverage: final report (9 June 2000), written submissions from both pro- and anti- groups and individuals (337 first subs and 109 second subs posted), as well as reports from research contracts, transcripts of seminars and oral evidence, and Committee visits.
Meta Description: [ Committee of inquiry into the impact of hunting with dogs in england and wales ]
Foxhunting in Ol' Virginny - Doug Morris's entertaining and informative site of worldwide fox hunting traditions, commandments, glossary of terms, cartoons, animal rights blog and photographs.
Meta Description: [ Personal photographs of foxhunting in Virginia, USA, along with cartoons, an extensive glossary of foxhunting
terms, a detailed description of proper attire, and vast collection of links to hunt clubs and hunting-related sites. ]
Matt Simpson's Foxhunting - Matt's personal perspective on international fox hunting with an American slant. Includes information on the popular Foxhunters OnLine (FOL) email discussion group.
Meta Description: [ Information on mounted foxhunting (aka riding to hounds), from Matt Simpson's personal perspective. ]
Telegraph: A liming time had by all - Adrian Dangar. Hunting with hounds in Trinidad and Tobago - the similarities and differences with hunting in the UK.