Introduction To Hunting

Hunting involves pursuing animals either for sport, trade or to eat as food. This definition doesn't extend to all animals though. Animals that aren't classed as game are excluded (game animals include game birds, red foxes, red deer, roe deer, ducks, mallard, wigeon, geese, rabbits, woodcock and wood pigeon) as are potentially dangerous animals that could pose a threat to human safety.
In the United Kingdom, animals like foxes, hares and birds are hunted, often for the enjoyment of the hunters. Hunting has been free from limitations for many years, but hunters have been hit by government legislation that restricts their ability to hunt. Since 2005, it is no longer legal to hunt foxes in England and Wales using hounds (see our article on 'The Hunting Bill' for more details on that). Fox hunting in general has been banned in Scotland since 2002. Read on for our introduction to hunting in the UK.
Is Hunting a Popular Rural Sport?
According to the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BACS), at least one million people in the UK take part in shooting activities every year (shooting is just one form of hunting).How Long Does the Season Last?
The typical hunting season runs from the beginning of November to late February. Hunts generally start around mid-morning and continue through to late afternoon.What is Involved?
The hunting party meets before the start of the hunt. This can sometimes be in a car park or at the house, hotel or pub. Pre-hunt drinks are often on offer.Around half an hour after this meet, a horn will be sounded signalling the start of the hunt. Before the banning of hounds in fox hunting, the huntsman would then take the hounds a short distance away and release them. If they found a scent immediately, the hunt would start right away, but sometimes, they might not be able to pick up a scent at all. If this was the case, the hounds would be gathered together again by the huntsman and re-released further along. This would be repeated until they found a scent.
Clearly then, the Hunting Act (2004) had a big impact on the organisation of a hunt. Dogs used to be an integral part of traditional hunting, and their removal from fox hunting turned fox hunting upside down. Drag hunting is now the main alternative to fox hunting. This involves laying an artificial scent prior before the hunt starts, which the hounds will pick up on. There are no foxes involved, but drag hunting is more demanding than traditional fox hunting, as it involves much more jumping. Because of this, it's not particularly suitable for young children, unless they are competent cross-country jumpers and can maintain a fast paced gallop. See our article on 'Drag Hunting' for more details.
Re: Shooting Rules and Regulations
I have a neibour who thinks it’s ok to use a shotgun at 9.30 am on a Sunday within 50mts of my house, time the law was changed !
Re: Shooting Seasons
Hi i live on a estate in the country side, they have many shoots going on and shot keeps coming down on us while ion the garden ,is there anything…
Re: Types of Riding
There are many styles of riding including english and western however my absolute definite favourite is bearback this is a style where you ride…
Re: Types of Riding
Horse riding is a great sport or/and fun activity for pretty much any age.
Re: Arguments Against Hunting
I ran over a fox in my 2002 Nissan on the way to the church so then I picked it up and give it to my cussion robbet he took it back to…
Re: Arguments Against Hunting
help me to decied what gender I am plz because I don't know if I am male or female
Re: Shooting Rules and Regulations
It's pretty obvious from these comments and my own experience that the law regarding shooting in the countryside needs updating.…
Re: Arguments For Hunting
i will find all you fox hunting stuck up pricks
Re: Shooting Seasons
Is it illegal to shoot on a Sunday in scotland?
Re: Arguments For Hunting
I’ve lived in a city all my life but I support the hunters simply because the saboteurs are such as self righteous bunch of virtue…