Foxhunting
Created | Updated Oct 3, 2012
In countries where hunting is legal, hunters go out with gun, longbow, crossbow or whatever, find their quarry, shoot it; then take it home and eat it. Fair enough.
The UK has, or had, it's own selection of 'Blood Sports'. Historically, Boar Baiting, Bear Baiting, Cock Fighting and Badger Baiting were commonplace, and, up to the end of the eighteenth century, were even acceptable pastimes. However, the tradition of these sports is still carried on with Angling, Hare Coursing, Stag Hunting (with hounds), Boxing and Foxhunting.
The first three have long been, thankfully, decreed to be illegal because of the cruelty to the animals involved. The activity of Badger Baiting (or 'digging' does, clandestinely, continue in some areas). More contenciously though, the rest remain. Angling, many will say is not cruel, as there is no evidence that the fish suffers. Those against say the fish does suffer, as it must feel pain as the hook bites home. Boxing - well, if a couple of chaps want to thump each other to a pulp, then good luck to them!
Now,the fox, the stag and the hare. Stag Hunting and Hare Coursing are in their death throes. There is a large amount of 'anti' feeling about these two issues, and hopefully they will soon die out, which leaves the fox. What shall be done about Reynard?
Many countryfolk will say that the fox is vermin and should be eradicated. Now that the British Wolf has been exterminated(the last being shot in the nineteenth century in Cumbria) it is the only wild member of the Canidae family left in this country. Eradication is taking things too far. What is really needed is some humane method of control. But, how to control, that is the question. There are three methods currently in use - there is a fourth method, yet to be tried. It will be introduced into this discourse later!
First, they could be shot. However, if the fox is only wounded, it will die a lingrering and painful death. The same could be said for the second method, currently in use - poisoning. Poisoning, however where it does happen has to be done covertly. Poisoning the fox in the U.K. is illegal. Thirdly, and the method currently in use - the Hunt.
Hunts gather around the country, as the have done since around 1660 with the specific objective of killing a fox - or a number of foxes if there is time. The Huntsmen (and women)dress up in red coats, get on a horse, release a pack of dogs, and go charging after the fox. When the dogs catch the fox, the 'hunters' just stand around while the fox is torn to pieces. If the fox 'goes to earth',(which is unusual, as the earth is usually filled in by the hunters overnight when the fox is out foraging) it is occasionally dug up for the hounds to attack. Many people consider this to be abhorrent. Another way must be found - and there may be one!
In certain places in Africa, the lion is reaching the same 'niusance' status as the fox. The lion, however is not hunted in the same way. The method of control, admittedly, has only recently been devised. The pride leader is darted with an anaesthetic dart, and then neutered. He still holds his place as leader, but no cubs are born, so numbers are controlled. Although the fox does not form an extended family group as the lion does, could the fox not be treated the same way? There may be a problem with the numbers involved, but the solution should not be insurmountable.
The final words on the matter are left to someone else.....
To quote the author/poet, Oscar Wilde...
"The English country gentleman galloping after the fox; the unspeakable in full persuit of the uneatable"
