JSwan–particularly fantastic posts, thank you! I got this question quite a bit when I started hunting; I think I will refer future askers to your posts here. :yes:
JSwan!!! I thank you, and I know every hunter out there thanks you!! Very well written!!
In Foxhunting, the fox does get caught and killed…not all the time, but it happens.
I was “blooded” when I was 8, it was the first hunt I’d been riding (way in the back, but I was there…the even had hot chocolate for the kids stirrup cup) where a fox was caught. We thought it was kind’ve neat and the adults were very serious about it. Pretty neat right of passage.
I came home from the barn last night around 10 PM…there was a big healthy red fox in my front yard jumping around and playing with another red fox (is it breeding season?)…really fun to watch them.
OP-if you love riding in the country, and you love happy dogs doing what they were bred to do, by all means go hunting at least once. Along with the military, hunting is where our riding sport came from.
Good for you to not take hunting lightly. However, I’ve hunted for 40 years in the Carolinas, and have seen very few healty foxes killed (very few of any foxes killed, really). Maybe our country is more rough than pdq’s. In fact, you will be lucky if you even see a fox.
If I might add a thought to JSwan’s excellent post. Fox hunting needs huge amounts of open land. Much of it is undeveloped because the owners fox hunt. Not only do foxes use it, but all other game and non game species benefit as well. Go hunting-I bet you have a blast!
So come out drag hunting. Always guaranteed good runs. Not sure where you are but I belong to one here in New Jersey - check out springvalleyhounds.com - cappers welcome and a pace for everyone/go arounds etc.
Drag or live - it’s all good. There is no one “right” way to enjoy the outdoors and wildlife.
What I find ironic is that hounding and LGD’s are used as methods to deter predators; and often subsidized by the federal or state gov’t. And it’s touted as the “humane” alternative to dealing with predators.
Well, that’s what mounted foxhunting is. In wildlife management terms, the regulated and licensed pursuit of a predator with hounds, in which the sportsman abides by a code of ethics and welfare standards - is the low stress harassment of predators to discourage them from areas of human habitation, keep them wild, and contribute towards balanced and healthy wildlife populations.
Takes are incidental, and replicate the role of that apex predator - who culls the weak, sick, old or really stupid.
In the case of the licensed sportsman (and drag hunter!)- instead of draining the state coffer, we’re contributing to it. Gladly.
We recognize the importance of our natural resources, we want to preserve and protect our wild places, our open spaces, and all the wildlife - not just the wildlife we hunt.
Again, that is not the only legitimate way to enjoy nature and the outdoors. And those who consider it morally unacceptable are free to refrain from interacting with nature in that way. Every stakeholder viewpoint is legitimate.
But that does NOT mean that hunting is immoral or unethical - and I’d encourage anyone interested in mounted foxhunting or any other form of hunting to simply get out there and try it. You won’t be sorry.
Your post is a Keeper, JSwan!
Lots of thanks for getting so much info in such a precise form!
I will be saving it & passing it on.
i started hunting over 40 yrs. ago & think it’s true that the strong
do survive. Fox live by their nose & it’s interesting to see how casual
they can be on days when the hounds sre having a hard time following
a trail & vice-versa, how quick they are on good scenting days!
We keep the fox & coyote honest in our country, it’s the natural order—
JSwan-
Excellent post! It’s completely refreshing to see an account of hunting from a conservationist’s view. Hunting of any type needs more educated, informed and stalwart advocates like you.
If I weren’t already married, I’d be hounding you! :winkgrin:
I’m jealous! My kids think I’m a ghoul but I always regret not being there the day they caught the fox.
I miss hunting. I’m so happy my daughter is starting to go out this year. She’s been cubbing and having a great time.
All too often the Fox will outwit the hounds. They are clever and will switch back on their trail and sit behind the pack and snicker at the “Dumb dogs”.
It is not unusual for a really smart old fox to do this every time the Hunt is out. They know the game well.
But then there are the young ones and the really not so smart ones who will run for it and the Hunt is on. Where there is a heavy infestation of such prey there is a need for the Hunts.
Out here in California we do have the Red, black footed foxes. But I hate to see them killed. They are not that common. Coyotes are another thing. They are multiplying and becoming very brash about coming into the residential area. They like to kill and eat cats and chihuahuas. They are a danger where people have small children as well.
One area had a coyote come right into the back yard and take the childrens sandwiches off their picnic table.
The kids told their mother a dog came and took their lunch. She didn’t think it was so but watched as she gave the kids more sandwiches. Coyote ran up and grabbed them as soon as she put the plate down.
“That warn’t no dog”!
Animal control was called and they did shoot the offending animal. They are smart and will go where they can find food.
But back to the Hunting, It has come from a sport made of necessity.
When the farmers livelihood depended on their chickens and lambs and geese the preditors could wipe them out in a hurry.
So the Hunt was to defend the farmers against the preditors. Weasles were also a danger to the hen house and the young lambs.
Now we have a new problem of wild animals losing the natural fear of man.
So it presents a whole new situatition.
Go and enjoy the Hunt.
It is fun and you meet some terrific people.
JMHO
sadlmakr
My mom was secretary of a hunt for 25 years, hunted 3x a week with them and 2-3 with other hunts and was on ONE kill. The fox LONG BEFORE has gone to ground, and often will sit with the HORSES and watch the hounds. Drag hunting imho is a bore, much to fast, has little time to watch hounds work as well.
