questions on hunting

[nona1]

Hi...there are some things I've been wondering about since 'the ban' and I'd love to hear some opinions on them. I've dithered about asking as I don't want to get into a big argument and these can be touchy subjects, can't they, but I'm genuinely interested in sensible responses.

For the record ..I've never hunted, I don't agree with the idea of blood sports, but I also think there's far more important things to worry about in the world so I wouldn't call myself an 'anti' - it's just not something I wanted to do myself. I can see the appeal from the riding side.

q.1. Hunts have said membership has boomed since the ban. If you are a 'new' hunter, why now? Is it to show support for hunting? Is it because, like me, you like the idea of the riding, but wouldn't get involved while it was still 'proper' hunting? Would you continue or give up if the ban were listed?

q.2. if i were to take up hunting now with my attitude (I'd give up again if the ban were lifted and we were hunting live), would everyone at the hunt hate me if I were honest about it?

q.3 Hunters usually seem to say they do it for the riding, not the kill, so really what difference does the ban make?

Let's stay nice please.

q.4

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Q1- cannot answer as i have hunted for years
Q2- No you wouldnt be hated as long as you weren't a demented anti ! probably would be regarded as eccentric as the vegetarians who hunted before the ban ;-)
Q3- Others will reply better than me but i hunt to watch hounds work-Its just fantastic to watch them as a pack- riding enables me to keep up faster than on foot If i wanted to ride fast and jump jump jump then i would go drag or blood hound hunting.

I (like to think i) am nice and spend hours nannying newbies and children AND as my cob stands well its not unusual for me to be on and off for all the gates/helping fallers etc

Q4- ????

I really feel that everyone ought to try it at least once or they are not really qualified to question it. There are many equestrian activities that may seem "dodgy"or strange to an outsider but those why are unbiased enough to look closer are frequently surprised (in a good way!) by what they see.

 

[gingerspice]

q1 - can't answer that personally as have hunted for years before and since the ban! but we had a handful of farmers and other local rural people who started hunting on horses since the ban to show support to the hunt and make the point that some suit in the city shouldn't dictate what they can or cant do without having a knowledge and understanding of hunting and the countryside.

Maybe the ban brought it more into the public eye - made more people think about hunting that would never have thought about it before?? Not sure though really on a wider scale - hopefully someone will answer that question better!

q2 - no they certainly wouldn't hate you! I would have thought would have respect for you really, would welcome you out and pleased that you wanted to join in and find out more about it! Well that would be my personal thought!

q3 - always makes me laugh this qu.! I'm quirky and do it for neither - its the thrill of watching hounds, seeing them work together, years ago seeing if they could keep up and out wit the quarry played a part, being in the right spot at the right time every now and again, having good days and bad days, it all being so unpredicatable and like DDD said a horse enables you to keep up faster and yes, there is the added bonus of a gallop and jump but if that was what I was purely after, I would have joined a drag hunt.

I'm curious what q4 was going to be...!!

 

[JenHunt]

Q1... i think a lot of the boom is land owners and farmer who have taken umbridge over the government putting politics above common sense... I also think that a lot of folk found it closer to the sufrace of their awareness and thought they'd try it, found it was fun and stayed. OH is classic example... started hunting to see what the fuss was about and is hooked.

Q2... I think if you were honest about it you'd be questioned and once they'd discovered you weren't a raving anti then you''d be welcomed and included as anyone else.

Q3. to most of the ban has affected the way the hounds work and so how the field moves around the countryside. We 'hunt' over a very wooded, boggy country with little in the way of open pasture or plough. Before the ban we moved slowly around this country listening to the hounds work, whereas now we move on quicker with the hounds being more sure of a trail, and the huntsman in closer contact with the hounds, and the field following on faster. It's no less fun - it's just different.

I love the folk I hunt with, their company is as much fun on a moor top in a blizzard, or in the forestry on a foggy day, or standing steaming in the morning sunshine or in a pub garden on a summers evening. They are wonderful, warm hearted, friendly, amusing, brave, kind souls who make the early mornings, the late nights and the mucky tack and jods worthwhile.

 

[Patches]

I'm going to a meet for the first time this weekend.

I've decided to go with a clean boot group. The blood hounds are chasing a fell runner and it's death by licking when he is caught. :grin:

I never really liked the idea of hunting before the ban, but then I wasn't really capable of a day's hunting (not been riding all that long). I know I wouldn't have wanted to see a fox caught and torn apart.....even though I will happily pay a rifle man to come and shoot the foxes that pray on my chooks.

I would probably be honest and say I hoped I wouldn't see a fox being killed if I was on a live hunt. I also would be terrified of being approached by saboteurs. At least going with Bloodhounds, those who are educated about the different types of packs, will know there is no threat to foxes.

For me, it's just something I've always wanted to give a go. I get quite emotional when I see the hunt out locally. It just looks like such a fabulous tradition to be a part of.

I might hate it and never go again.....but I won't know until I try.

 

[JenHunt]

Patches - I hope you have a good day. my best tips for you are....
1) take a flask of hot tea or coffee in your box, you'll be glad of it when you get back!
2) leave just as you or your horse start to feel tired, so you can come away still enjoying the day and reduce the risk of injuring a tired you or a tired horse.
3) talk to anyone, they'll make you feel welcome anyway, but it never hurts to break the ice so they know you're not some evil anti trying to invade!

have a wonderful day - i'm so jealous... we've another 10weeks until the start of the season proper! let us know how you get on!

 

[Patches]

Thanks Jenhunt.

I have always, always wanted to do it. Having owned P for four years now, it's about time I "broke my duck". :grin:

Ridiculously excited and a tad nervous. This weekend's meet is a fitness meet for horses and riders. Supposed to be quite slow with the pace being upped during hound exercise and the introductory meets. No hounds on Sunday (boo hoo). At the same meet last year, I believe they lost the bloodhounds through the village. Perhaps they are making sure of no repeat this time.

We're incorporating a farm ride during Sunday's meet. It's very local to me and I've ridden it twice in the last week....Sunday and yesterday. It's 8 miles long. Familiar territory certainly helps with the nerves, that's for sure.

I have bought a Tagg Saville hacking jacking, shirt and tie, new black skull cap with black velvet silk. I am all kitted up.

I will try and dig out a flask. I like the Four Shires. It's all very civilised.....the meet starts at noon! :grin:

 

[hiixsa]

As a quick reply to q3, from someone who has hunted for more than 10 seasons.... I agree with some of the other posts in respect that, before the ban there was nothing quite like watching hounds working, doing what comes naturally. It makes you feel closer to nature. With trail hunting you go off at a gallop, are not as close to the hounds, and it is not so good for teaching young horses manners in the field. Reverse the ban I say, each to their own though.