Blackthorn and Brook

[Judgemental]

I was pottering around in the site posted for the Governor of California banning hunting with hounds

http://www.foxhuntinglife.com/foxhu...news/833-california-governor-signs-hound-bill

and what did I find, an interesting link/banner to our own fair land and it says:

"Megan is spending a month in Middleburg, Virginia, between 18 September and 16 November. If you live in the area, and are interested in coming foxhunting in England, do let us know and she’ll arrange a time to come and meet you."

No, I said with total shock and surprise, foxhunting. But they don't........they can't.......it's illegal!

Still perhaps our American friends are none the wiser..........

 

[Countryman]

To be fair I think in the USA they term all riding to hounds "fox-hunting" - whether it's a fox hunt, drag hunt, coyote hunt or otherwise.

 

[Judgemental]

To be fair I think in the USA they term all riding to hounds "fox-hunting" - whether it's a fox hunt, drag hunt, coyote hunt or otherwise.

Fair Countryman, there is nothing fair when it comes to hunting. Frankly the American vernacular to which you refer is questionable.

The point is, that if folk are advertising Fox Hunting in what appears to be the Blackmore Vale:

a) It does not do the hunt's in that country any favours.

b) It leads the Americans to believe that Foxhunting still exists and has not been banned.

c) Therefore their support for any repeal will be apathetic.


Consquentially this outfit advertising FOXHUNTING HOLIDAYS shrouded in the Union Flag should get their act together?

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Actually I'm more surprised that our MFHA has been helping them with their campaign to continue hunting bears with hounds.


Not sure why the Americans need the expertise of the MFHA, as they haven't been successful here in the UK. Small surprise its been banned in California, again, due to public pressure.

So, in relation to your query, I'm doubly surprised that given the links with the MFHA over there, someone has created the wrong impression.

 

[happyhunter123]

Actually I'm more surprised that our MFHA has been helping them with their campaign to continue hunting bears with hounds.

It's not 'our' MFHA, it's the American version, so a different organisation altogether.
I guess that they're worried that a ban on bear hunting (not practiced by hunts, but private individuals) will eventually lead to a ban on hunting of all mammals with dogs. There is actually little direct opposition to fox-hunting in the US like there is in the UK (there's no US version of the LACS/hunt sabs). I don't think that it is that well known to be honest. I could find no reference to organised fox-hunting on any American animal rights websites. That doesn't mean that certain legislation may affect it.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Ah, I did wonder, but do they have a MFHA ? Fox hunting isn't that common in the states, although it does happen on a small scale.

There is heavy opposition to hunting with hounds though amongst the public, according to the link, bobcats were mentioned too. While hunting has traditionally been a part of American life, perhaps its the chase of mammals with hounds that people find unacceptable. Like in the UK.

 

[happyhunter123]

Ah, I did wonder, but do they have a MFHA ? Fox hunting isn't that common in the states, although it does happen on a small scale.

There are 144 foxhound packs in the states, with hunting practiced in exactly the same manner as in the UK! Packs often have a mixture of quarry-fox, coyote and drag are often hunted by the same hunt. On a small, private scale it is also practiced.
Here is the MFHA USA website:
http://www.mfha.org/

 

[JanetGeorge]

Ah, I did wonder, but do they have a MFHA ? Fox hunting isn't that common in the states, although it does happen on a small scale.

The American MFHA is very well organised (and funded!) I met its Exec. Director Dennis Foster several times in the lte '90s. Super guy, wanted to pick everyone's brains about the antis - and political threats - here so they could be ahead of the game in the USA. They have an 'interesting' political problem as they have 51 states to worry about - bits of potentially damaging legislation are always popping up - and down!

There's a LOT of hunting in USA - fox or coyote depending on location.

 

[happyhunter123]

Fox or coyote depending on location.

Yes, coyote, both red and grey foxes, and the occasional bobcat. Some packs also drag hunt exclusively, other sometimes drag hunt and sometimes hunt live quarry.
The type of hunting banned here was really intended to prevent private hunters how used their hounds to chase bobcats/bears. When the animal went up a tree, the hunter would shoot it (I think). This law wasn't passed with traditional, mounted hunting in mind.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Its very interesting, i'm surprised that there is so much opposition amongst the public and new legislation being proposed and carried out. The calls for limits on tethering and kenneling of hounds (and dogs) was something I hadn't heard about.

 

[Alec Swan]

.......

Here is the MFHA USA website:
http://www.mfha.org/

Interesting. There were hounds with "numbers"eek attached, there were some wearing collars (lunacy), but best of all, I spotted a photo' signed by the wonderful photographer, Jim Meads. Does anyone remember his Shooting Times and H&H work from 30+ years ago?

An interesting website, thank you!

Alec.

 

[Alec Swan]

I now wish that I'd googled Jim Meads before the last post. Anyway, in 2010 he was still busy photographing hunting, and much to my delight, according to a pic heading, there's a pack known as the "Casanova". Obviously plagiarised from a British pack.

Some of the hounds were strange looking things, but then they have many of their own distinct and preserved stamps and types. The one type that always stuck in my mind as a child, were those which were known as "Treeing Walkers". Apparently they chased Cougars up trees, from where they were shot. I must do further research.

Alec.