A rather unusual hunting technique is the Fox Hunt.
Fox hunting is done by chasing a Fox (or more recently a scent trail) by a pack of dogs and (unarmed) followers on foot or horseback. In the UK the term Hunting is used for this hunting method (chase by dogs, Chasse a Courre), where for normal hunting the term Shooting is used.
Since 2004, Fox hunting has not been allowed, Hunts remain, where a scent trail is now followed.
The main hunters are the Dogs. Especially for this purpose, the Foxhound was bred in England. The specific characteristic is mainly the scent, necessary to follow the trail.
Sometimes Terriers are also used alongside this to drive out the Fox that has fled into its castle.
Most notably, however, the horses are the “Field Hunters.” Sometimes they are divided into two groups. Those that take the shortest route, jumping over hedges and fences – First Field. And those that take a longer route along hedges and through pasture fences (gates) – Second Field or Gaters).
Especially within the first group, good horsemanship is needed with even “steeplechase” or “military” experience.
Hunts are hunting groups that focus specifically on fox hunting on horseback. There are about 400 left in the UK, and one of the best known is the Heythrop Hunt of which current Prime Minister David Cameron is a member.
These Hunts are full of tradition and customs and so, especially in hierarchical England, everyone has a specific role:
It is also notable that all riders participate in the Hunt specially dressed up. All members of the same Hunt wear their “Colours.”
And in the attire quite a few differences and specific customs: the Master of the Hunt has a coat with 4 bronze buttons, the other members with 5 buttons. The professionals wear the bow at the back of their rider’s helmet upwards, the others downwards. Participants under 18 wear Tweed throughout the year. Only honored members of the Hunt receive a Hunt button (button) from the Hunt Master. All riders also have a whip (Whip) preferably brown, only those of the Hunt Servants, are white.
As mentioned, about 400 Hunts are still active. In the UK there are between 6,000 and 8,000 jobs dependent on Hunting. Of which 700 are directly within the Hunts, then 1,500 to 3,000 directly involved in Hunt related activities. The others are then indirect through tourism, hotels, …
On the high day of the Hunts alone, on Boxing Day (Boxing Day), about a quarter of a million people will attend a Hunt with more than 45,000 riders on horseback.
Since the ban on live Fox Hunting, several lawsuits have already been filed with varying degrees of success for those for and against it. Still, with recently a remarkable ruling by a judge (Tim Pattinson). While sentencing Hunt and the Huntsman to “lenient” sums, he expressed in no uncertain terms his outrage for the astronomical sums used by opponents to bring the case to court. It involved 326,000 pounds or 400,000 euros. The judge felt that community money, mostly based on donations, could be better spent.
The noble hunt of Hunting is also upheld as a tradition in Belgium.
We discovered two associations:
To conclude, a photo report from the Ledbury Hunt.
Here no reunion of some nobles on the lawn in front of a castle, but simply a gathering of Dogs, Horses and Horsemen and a few more followers on foot just at the local pub
On this weekday some 60 participants and some 300 spectators. With among the Hunters: a nurse, civil engineer, a dentist, as well as a welder, some farmers and also a teacher with some students.
The Ledbury Hunt has been hunting in the Gloucestershire border for more than 300 years. The first bylaws date back to 1846. Hunts are held on Mondays (quiet, low hedges and hurdles) and Fridays (for the real thing, with all the trimmings).
One of their memorable members is David Redvers, who stormed the British Parliament during the protests against the Huntingban.
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