Posted on 11/06/2004 4:42:48 PM PST by Pharmboy
LONDON (AP) - Tens of thousands of hunters and their hounds raced through the countryside on horseback Saturday, opening a fox-hunting season that could be one of Britain's last. The more than 300 hunts had a defiant air, with participants still angry over the government's plans to ban hunting with hounds.
The House of Commons voted two months ago to outlaw the sport. The House of Lords refuses to endorse the bill, but the government has threatened to force it into law anyway by next year.
Fox hunting supporters were undaunted.
"We are just as determined to be here next November and the November after that as we ever have been," said Darren Hughes, a spokesman for the pro-hunt group Countryside Alliance.
At the prestigious Beaufort Hunt on the Gloucestershire-Wiltshire border in western England, some 200 people on horses and about 400 supporters gathered under rainy skies in a stalwart mood.
"A lot of people are committed to continuing to hunt whatever happens and a lot of people just cannot believe that a government could be so irresponsible as to put this as such a high priority when there's so much wrong in the country," said Nigel Maidment, secretary of the hunt.
Supporters of the ban argue that killing foxes with hounds is cruel, and have advocated other methods of population control.
At the Beaufort Hunt, some said traditional hunting methods, in which dogs kill the prey, are still the most humane.
"(The ban) is the most misplaced idea on animal welfare one could imagine," said Christopher Mulholland, the vicar of Badminton, from his horse.
Hunting supporters also pointed to the possible economic consequences of a ban. One estimate said a ban could put as many as 8,000 people out of work - not only employees of some 200 hunts around the country but also saddlers, blacksmiths, grooms and stablehands.
"Hunting is too important to lose for the local community," said Ian Farquhar, a captain of the Beaufort Hunt.
Lawmakers' efforts to ban fox hunting have brought fierce resistance from pro-hunt activists since the House of Commons passed the bill in September.
In October, five pro-hunt supporters ran into the House of Commons chamber and disrupted debate. Individual Labour Party ministers and lawmakers have recently been the target of protesters, including Leader of the Commons Peter Hain, who was pelted with eggs during a speech in Oxfmrd.
Pro-hunting activists have also promised open defiance of any ban on hunting.
"An awful lot of people have said they will defy any hunting ban," Hughes said. "People are more determined now than ever."
AP-ES-11-06-04 1510EST
I imagine it's a question of numbers--you must have many more fox in your area.
Here are some of the different horn calls. Scroll down the column on the left to the picture of the horn! (This is the website of our local hunt.)
The rest of us are just along for the ride. We dress up because it's FUN! Here are my horse and I all turned out for the event (sorry can't supercopy, it was taken by a prof. photographer).
Because its a hoot!
you know, I had never seen a fox, living or dead, in PA and DE, where I have lived most of my life, until about ten years ago-- suddenly, they were everywhere, though mostly stretched out between the white lines. I have always attributed it to the fact people, even farmers apparently, keep their dogs inside now, and you don't see them wandering around, like you used to when they formed a high percentage of roadkill.
It's worse than that. Much worse. It's discriminatory. If this ban is going into effect under the banner of 'animal rights', then all the animals involved should be considered.
What about the horses rights to fox hunt? What about the hounds? Anybody that's ever ridden a horse in an event, knows that the horse looks forward to it. Same for dogs. Anybody that's ever hunted with dogs knows how excited they get when going afield.
Horses and dogs have rights too!
Just a little tongue in cheek :~)
This is the truth! One rainy afternoon at the barn we set up a movie screen in the aisle and showed films (of the Olympics equestrian events, and fox hunting). At one point on the soundtrack you could hear the hounds' music and the huntsman blowing his horn.
All the horses immediately stuck their heads out of the stall doors and began pawing and whinnying. They were ready to go.
And every time my Labrador Retriever hears a duck call, she's right at the door. "Ducks! DUCKS! Where are they? Can I fetch 'em? Can I? Please! Please!"
If I walk out of the house wearing any camo, my Chesapeake and Lab go nuts.
She loves both.
But,you don't even have to go hunting. You should see my 10 month old Golden Retriever (he's 80 pounds) when he spots Canadian geese in the air or the water.
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