Fox Hunting
Published by GHC • Jul 30th, 2007 • Category: Junior Blogger Archives, Take a Standby Animalsrkool, age 12
I think fox hunting is cruel, heartless and a waste of time for horses, foxes and dogs. Probably many horses died hunting.
Fox Hunting is a type of hunting in which trained dogs pursue Red Foxes, followed by human hunters who are usually on horses, but sometimes on foot. Many animal welfare campaigners object to it, describing it as a barbaric bloodsport, while many proponents and participants view it as a crucial part of rural history in the British Isles, vital for conservation, and a method of pest control.
At my old house we had a fox visit. It was a beautiful fox — plump, young and bold. My neighbor said the gamekeeper shot him. The gamekeeper had pheasants, but if he wants to look after his birds when he should lock them up in a pen! He didn’t though.
But to add a little smile to your no doubt saddened faces there’s something out of one of the Norman Thelwell books. Theres a little cartoon picturing a girl on a pony. The girl is holding a fox. Her mother is there, hands on hips saying, “I wish you wouldn’t keep hiding them in your room. We’ll have the whole house overrun with hounds again!”
I’d hide foxes in my room if the threat of hunting was there. I really would, although I’d be a bit nervous that they’d eat my hamster or bite me. I’d hide them though and complain to the hunters.
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Thanks for the photo,thats a really nice one :).
I have to agree with you. I wish fox hunters would realize it’s a cruel sport. We have a little fox who watches us ride in the arena sometimes. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hunt him down.
Anmalsrkool,
I agree, fox hunting is cruel!
arg. Just because we did something in the past dosen’t mean it should still be practised today. I mean, honestly. Poor foxes. Thanks for sharng with us!
Over here in the u.k it’s banned,lots of people are against the ban,i’m not one of them.
I hate that sport a lot!! Poor foxes, poor dogs, POOR HORSES!
I used to think I loved anything with horses involved, but now I’m thinking twice! :( How could they do that to any animal especially horses?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that fox hunting is great. Wolves are foxes only natural preditors and we have hunted all of the wild wolves in this country to extinction. I know it is possible to shoot them and set traps, but hunting is the most natural way. If foxes are not hunted then they will over populate and there will not be enough food for all of them. They are also killing farmers livestock such as lambs and fowl- all of which feed people.
I now that some hounds die in the process of hunting but the would probably naturally hunt foxes for food in the wild and some of them would probably die then also. The hounds also enjoy the exercise and it is very good for them.
I know that horses also die when hunting but the numbers that die are about the same as in any other sport that horses are used in.Now that humans are starting to come up with ways of horses surviving less and less horses are dying, which is good. Emagine how many horses used to dye when they where all wild. nobody to save them so it is not going to drasticly decrease.
When the horses die there meat is feed to the hounds which is another natural process.
Over all the full pack of hounds enjoy themselves, the riders enjoy themselves and the horses enjoy themselves. so the fox is very out numbered.
I have been fox hunting loads it is very fun, I think that anyone that likes travaling at fast speeds and jumping should give it a go!
If you like going fast and jumping then why go hunting? why not just go steeplechasing or something?
And really, how can they over populate? theres only usally four foxes in a litter and they can die of the cold or hunger!
My parents had chickens and they never had problems with Foxes because the chickens were well penned in.
I do,however,understand that you have completely different views from me(i feel fox hunting is the worst animal cruelty there is,where as you think it’s fun)so all this might be for nothing..:(
Thank you for sharing a different point of view!
But, isn’t it a bad thing to hunt to extinction? :-O No offense to you but the makes me sad! :((
But still, now we know both sides of the story!
“Poor horses”?! Absolute tosh.
Horses are herd animals - they love the excitement of running and acting as a herd. Look at any pony or horse that has been hunting when it sees a pack of hounds - it is excited and raring to go, not cowering behind the trailer!
Also the assumption is that everytime the hunt goes out a fox is caught. This is also utter tosh.
Only weak, sick and old foxes are caught - if any at all. This helps keep the fox population FIT and HEALTHY. This is important as they no longer have natural predators in this country. If we were only to poison and shoot strong and healthy foxes would die and weaker ones left to breed.
Poisoning is a terrible, painful and prolongued way to die. As is the death from an infected gunshot wound. Hounds despatch their prey in a matter of seconds.
If you read up about foxes and hunting you will find many amusing tales of how the wily fox (hence its name) has outsmarted the hounds. I have seen one running behind them!
I like Animalsrkool’s side better… Hunting wolves to extinction… I love wolves!!!
I do not mean that there is any need to hunt foxes to extinction. just to keep the population at a controlable rate. Also i prefere chickens to be free range. i think it is cruel to keep them cooped up in a run. My chickens wonder around the village all the time. But because we have a hunt none of them have been killed by foxes.
Also Foxes look cute from a distance but they are lice ridden, smelly,disease carrying, discusting creatures. I no that there are also many other sports which include going fast and jumping but it is not quite the same atmosphere, it is more like racing. Also steeple chasing can get more dangerouse than fox hunting and there is an age limit on it.
I think that the worst type of animal cruelty is using animals to test beauty products.
What a lively discussion! If you “take a stand” you must be prepared to hear and consider other perspectives. Some ground rules:
1) To avoid comment clutter, try to make your viewpoint brief and to-the-point. We’re not moderating a debate, but do want to publish a range of voices and info so people can form their own perspective.
2) Keep it respectful as you would if discussing this face-to-face with a friend. Passionate, diverse opinions are good. You won’t see name-calling, finger-pointing, bullying, or inflammatory language even if it surrounds a valid perspective.
Thanks for sharing your perspectives.
I can understand that it might be helpful to catch foxes that are weak, but does it have to be in such a violent way?
They kill the foxes, that is what they do. THEY KILL THEM. I think that this is almost as cruel and violent as horse slaughter! They go out, to kill foxes, knowing that dogs and horses way be hurt or killed, but they STILL do it! It just amazes me that people still do such a violent act. It should have never been started, but it was, and many little foxes, dogs, and wonderful horses have died doing something that was a bad idea in the first place. I think that FOX HUNTING should be stopped as soon as it can so we can save all of the animals that could loose their lives. Does anyone agree with me?
At my old stables, there were these classes for very good riders called ‘The Fox Hunt.’ You didn’t really find and kill foxes, you just went through the forests jumping and going really fast. You still got all the action, but no foxes died.
I think that all Fox Hunts should be like that. Save the innocent dogs, the poor foxes, and the wonderful horses from a fate that they could never stop but they never deserved in the first place.
I agree with you horsejo!
Lets get out there and separate all animals quickly - we don’t want any violent deaths ! Nature is a cruel thing.
I hope non of the anti’s owns a cat - they torture their prey for ages before killing it.
Hounds KILL a fox (remember, a weak/injured/old animal) in next to no time.
Successful hunts are rare events anyway!
Sorry guys but I’m an avid hunter so I have to agree with Fox Hunting Rox. To convince me to change sides you would have to explain to me how it is cruel, and how the animals are killed. The dogs and the horses I mean. The foxes are killed by people with guns or the hounds get them. So enlighten me. :-?
I agree with you horsejo!
When The Horse Jumps a river in the way, or if the horses crash into one another, their legs could break and a horse with a broken leg is usually put to sleep unless you have LOTS of money to help them.
I agree with horsejo. If you like Fox Hunting, then you like fox hunting,If you dont like fox hunting, then you dont like fox hunting.
Why would you want to harm Foxes? :-/ Pretend that you are a fox. you are wondering through the trees, playing tag with some of your foxy friends, when suddenly, you are chased, and then shot, for no apperent reason.
I think fox hunting is cruel and mean. But, if you are somone who likes fox hunting, you will continue to harm this beautiful creature, and wipe them all out. I personally despise fox hunting. Its mean, hurtful, and, and, Ok I have no more names, but we should not kill foxes.
If you really dont like fox hunting, please “Take A Stand”. Say what YOU think. I think it shoud be stopped. Who’s with me!
I’m with ya tori!
I am with you Torri! I think it is so cruel!
I don’t say I like it because I have never done it. The point of fox hunting though is not to eliminate the fox from the face of the earth. Believe me if they wanted to do that they would have done it a long time ago. There are more foxes today than there was 100 years ago, because not many people go fox hunting anymore. It is a simple way to keep the population in check. The population of foxes has not been hurt by recent hunting. You say it is wrong to kill foxes, and you say they are inocent little creatures, but what if that inocent little creature was harming your smaller animals such as your chickens. What would you propose we do about the fox? You could say that we could move him to another location. However someone would move into that area eventually and then you would have the same problem again. The only solution is to kill the problem. If you don’t agree with this then see if you can come up with another way to get rid of the problem without coming to the same conclusion. I’m not trying to be rude I am just giving an opinion and stating facts. By the way if you want to really make yours or my arguement good you need to make sure you have some statistics of how many of what kind of animal are killed, and how. Then compare it to 100 years ago. I can guarantee you the number of animals is very small compared to 100 years ago. Thank you for hearing me out I look forward to hearing your next arguement. 8-}
Ok, here is my spin on this discussion.
First, i’d like you to know I am completely anti-hunting in everything. I’m very close to being a vegetarian. So I agree hunting the foxes is cruel. But I read an article in Young Rider Magazine that there was a girl with an amazing mare that loved to fox hunt. She would go with her family on they would just fine foxes and chase them until they got away, they didn’t ever actually kill anything.
However, the actual sport is as safe as any equine sport can get. Just like in cross-country there are usually large jumps that can be near water or at the bottom of a hill and that’s pretty much what it is to jump as a fox hunter.
It’s very sad that horses died during a fox hunt. It’s also very sad they died on show jumping courses and barrel racing…any sport involving horses there is always a lingering danger. The horse could just loose footing in a pasture while galloping and fall, breaking his/her leg. This is sad and I do get angry when I hear stories like that but it can’t be helped. Kind of like the Abaco Barb horse, if because a few horses died while jumping the whole sport where any jumping was involved was banned…it’s kind of stupid soundung to me. :(
So, other than the actual hunting I’d like to try fox hunting one day. Only I’d just chase the fox around until it was out of harms way.
Thanks for hearing me out, everyone has excellent oppionions. :-h
I’ve got yet another side of the issue. It’s a type of fox hunting called a “drag hunt”.
In drag hunting, the hounds chase a fox-like scent that has been dragged over a safe trail. The hounds are just as happy to follow the scent as a real fox, and there’s less danger for the horses because the “dragger” controls where the horses go. And, best of all, no foxes are harmed. Everyone wins! :)
Oh Yea! I fogot about that part! Great comprimise *Pony-at-Heart*
I agree that drag hunting is a very good way of hunting. But a fox still gets killed because they need to use its sent. if you where to use an anaseed trail you would have to re train all of the hounds, this could take a long period of time. Fox hunting is much more fun and exiting than drag hunting.
What do you think about hunting lead mare? Please can tou tell us what you think.
BarelRacer: I see your point. But to me, i dont know, it is just,just,just. Ok, now I get that it would be pretty hard to wipe foxes out. If you like to chase foxes, than thats good, if you dont like to, than you dont like too. Ok, I dnt like it, and nobody can change that. Fox Hunting Rox likes fox hunting, thats fine too. So my point is, Dont harm foxes that havent done mean things. Just, dont kill them, send them to a wildlife sanctuary. That would be much better. SO, this will probably close my discussian with Fox Hunting.
*pony-at-heart* that sounds awesome! Where did you hear about drag hunting?
59% say keep hunting: Thanks for asking, but when I’m moderating a discussion my role is to facilitate, not participate.
And speaking of facilitating, I do have some questions:
– Is there a ban on killing foxes during the hunt, or is it a ban on allowing dogs to kill the fox during a hunt?
– If 59% say keep hunting, how did the ban get passed? And what is the source of that statistic?
– Is it true that a fox is killed for drag hunting? I read an article at Horse and Hound that seems to contradict that statement.
The point of these questions applies to all sides, whether you’re in favor of hunting for sport or population control, or against it as animal cruelty. When you make an argument with fact-like statements, make it on the basis of facts you’ve verified for yourself. And citing a credible source never hurts.
Of course (like Animalsrkool) you’re entitled to an opinion regardless of the facts, but let’s differentiate between fact and opinion.
Great discussion BTW. I admire how you all can be passionate and respectful of your differences.
There are foxes in my garden, and I saw one once. They are beautiful creatures, I don’t know how anyone can hurt them! For once in my life, I’m glad I don’t live near a stable, cos the foxes would probably be hunted.
Foxes are not discusting,lice covered and all that other stuff! I have seen a fox up close and they are beautiful! and although they smell a little,it’s not a horrid smell.
Foxhuntingrox:how come your chickens don’t get stolen? :-S.I wasn’t actully born when my parents had chickens,but i belive they had a largeish pen for them,aswell as a shed.They talk loads about how the chickens used to peck up all the grass! (lol)
I am trying not to be unkind in anyway,but i see fox hunting as one of the cruelest things ever.
It’s true that not always foxes get caught,but thats what you go out hoping isn’t it? and it’s not always sick,old and injured foxes,you chase them,they get tired and because of that,slower….
Ok, I did some research. My original oppinion was based on this blog (which is wonderfully written). But I looked at another source and now I’m pretty much against the sport altogether (I know, a very drastic change of oppionion.);) I read this site”
http://www.idausa.org/facts/foxhunting.html
and
http://jmatt.net/foxhunting/woghunt.html
But the second one has some…interesting view points. It more or less supports the sport.
If I find time, I’ll do more research.
I also found this link. I think it is the most imformative. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/449139.stm
The ban is that no hunt is leagly allowed to go out as a hunt with the ambition to kill foxes. I know a hunt which sets of drag hunting, but when the hounds get the sent of a fox they persue it.
I am not sure how the ban managed to get passed because i dont no a thing about the statistics apart from the fact that 59% say keep hunting.
When hunts drag hunt they use what ever sent they think is nessery. But i have known some hunts use foxes as that is what there hounds are trained to hunt.
Our chickens dont get stolen because no body can catch them. They lay eggs in our chicken run and if we need them for meet we kill them when they are roosting, as they roost in our garden. so are chickens arnt tame!
Hi there lead mare - any reason my comments haven’t been included here? I thought they were all well put and reasonable?
ex hunt sab: occasionally we delete multiple comments that come in sequentially from the same IP address with different names, so apologies if your viewpoint got lost in a comment consolidating shuffle. feel free to express yourself again (thanks for being well-put and reasonable) and i’ll make sure it gets posted.
Like I said before, I think Fox Hunting is BAD. That is just what I think. I feel sorry for all of the poor animals who get hurt.
i agree with 59% says keep hunting
Great discussion everyone. Lots of well-written comments expressing a range of perspectives. I learned a lot, did you?
Animalsrkool, would you like to have the last word before we close this topic?
I don’t really know what to say!
Fox hunting is not something i respect at all,and i hope no more join the sport.
Foz hunting rox:i hope your chickens are ok.