Gourt > Recreation > Outdoors > Hunting > Foxhunting (33)
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 ]
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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.
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