Queen orders Prince Charles to stop hunting

Bangkok Post | 12.28.02

[cajungirl]

Fox hunting sure seems like a ,,well,,inefficient way to keep the fox population under control. I mean an entire group of men and women in hilariously silly outfits chasing one fox on very expensive horses not to mention the after parties and the before breakfasts. I submit that Louisiana will supply an endless number of fine young men with guns who will dispatch the pesky foxes in no time and we get to keep the pelts to make fabulous little jackets and vests out of. Fair?

[Redcloak]

Seeing as the Queen herself is a hunter, I doubt that this story is accurate.

[strela]

I mean an entire group of men and women in hilariously silly outfits chasing one fox on very expensive horses not to mention the after parties and the before breakfasts.

Oscar Wilde once called fox hunting "The unspeakable in pursuit of the unmentionable." Guess even a gay caballero can't be wrong all the time.

[strela]

Correction - "The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable." That first cup of coffee hasn't quite taken effect yet.

[Henchster]

Boy, have you been fooled by the romantic images portrayed of "the hunt" by the hunters.

I've been to a fox hunt several times. The fox is ALREADY IN A CAGE, and is released solely for the "sport" of catching and killing it. On one occassion, the hunters and dogs lost the fox within a few minutes, returning to release another. They are actually INCREASING the fox population by fox "hunting!"

By the way, they lost three foxes that day, and didn't catch one. Bad day? No way. We saw a rider leave his mount going over a hedgerow, landing on his @$$ in the mud from a good 6-8 feet. It looked worse than it was, as his pride suffered the most damage. But we sat in the pub and went through a fair number of pints laughing at him, and the escape of three condemned foxes.

I heartily recommend a trip to "follow the hounds" if anyone is ever in Britain. It's a load of fun, and make sure to bring your camera.

[Libertina]

His reputation IS ruined already, but not because of Fox Hunting.

[Thinkin' Gal]

[Thinkin' Gal]

His reputation IS ruined already, but not because of Fox Hunting.

That's a great caption for post 47.

[MinorityRepublican]

Why is it okay for British SAS to hunt down Iraqi soldiers but not for the British subjects to hunt fox?

Simply outrageous.

[Shooter 2.5]

It doesn't take any time at all to find out what another person does and find a reason to ban it.

I don't particularly like motorcycles, smoking, chainsaws, skydiving, skateboards, tattoos, bungi jumping, swimming pools, snowskiing or gambling.

Is there anything on this list that you do?

[Libertina]

ROTFLOL!

[Polybius]

Oscar Wilde once called fox hunting "The unspeakable in pursuit of the unmentionable."

Correction - "The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable." That first cup of coffee hasn't quite taken effect yet.

So, strela, do you usually have Bill Clinton on your mind before that first cup of coffee kicks in? ;-)

[Capriole]

Boy, have you been fooled by the romantic images portrayed of "the hunt" by the hunters. I've been to a fox hunt several times. The fox is ALREADY IN A CAGE, and is released solely for the "sport" of catching and killing it. On one occassion, the hunters and dogs lost the fox within a few minutes, returning to release another. They are actually INCREASING the fox population by fox "hunting!"

What are you talking about? I AM one of the hunters. I started foxhunting when I was a kid. I have never, ever seen caged foxes being released by any MFHA-recognized hunt.

[yoe]

Trapping or shooting the little fellow would be a fair exchange. However your reference to "...hilariously silly outfits..." is a little below the belt and the parties you refer to are a little more serious than you would think. The start breakfast is very important with protocols and the day's map. The "after glow" is one of enjoying a day’s ride and friendships. Traditions are 100's of years old all around the world where this sport is still in tact. American hunts are mostly drag, few if any are still live hunts...there is not the game. I would bet that not 1% of the live hunts, the hounds are ever bloodied.

The dogs are well trained and kept by the hound master/whipper in. The Hunt provides an industry centered around the nail, the shoe and the farrier (blacksmith), the tact, the saddle, the horse, the vet, the trailers, the boarding if you have to, the cloth for those silly coats, which are mimicked in fashion designs today, the hunt hats, much like foot-ball helmets, the jodhpurs have become silly – too tight, but it takes a product and labor and sales to get them out so more jobs are there. Not to mention the food, liquor bought and keeping the ponds and fences, gates etc. in good repair

There is no reason not to hunt with a drag instead of game. It is wonderful for the horse and rider, providing the rider can stay on over the big fences, however even if he doesn’t, the horse will go along and have a wonderful time while rider less.

It is mostly a tempest in a teapot from people who want everyone to behave as they think you should, instead of making the sport fair for all, they simply want it to stop. So many freedoms being taken away for a few dissidents. Tea time yet?

[Endeavor]

There is no rabies in England. I also doubt that the number of foxes killed in hunts has any substantial affect on the fox population.

I see no problem with the hunters dragging scent rather than chasing live foxes. The opposition does seem to exhibit a fair amount of class envy. There's probably much more risk to the horses and riders in a hunt than to the fox population. Next thing they'll be after is the horses - "How dare you take those horses over fences - don't you know it's dangerous for them?"

[Capriole]

Fine, shoot the foxes when the need arises - they are pests. But why the hell have dogs tear them to shreds? That's why I (and I'm sure many others) have a problem with it.

Well, since the fox is killed instantly by the hounds breaking its neck, it doesn't make much difference what happens to its body after that. Anyway, I don't know where you get the idea that the fox is ripped to shreds. The hounds lose interest pretty quickly after the fox is dead. They aren't cats.

We chase foxes on horseback and don't shoot them because a guy with a shotgun can't keep up with a fox who can run at 20-25 miles an hour. The horses and hounds can. In the American west, where there are long distances and an isolated coyote can be safely shot with a rifle, that's an efficient way to do it. Many of my friends shoot coyotes (or marauding foxes). In the UK conditions are different. Use of firearms is impractical because of the insane restrictions imposed by the British government and because it's a more crowded environment. In addition, the Burns Report and large numbers of veterinarians attest that shooting is actually more cruel because the foxes often escape after being shot and die slowly and horribly. The quick death of a broken neck beneath the jaws of a foxhunter may be better, if an animal must die.

Watching a foxhunt is not the same as living and working in the country.

[Shooter 2.5]

Some people would replace the dinner party with a glass of Kool-Aid and a Pop-Tart.

[germanicus]

Is there anything on this list that you do?

Considering post #39,it appears he enjoys getting dressed up and stepping out for the evening.

[yoe]

There's probably much more risk to the horses and riders in a hunt than to the fox population.

How very true! There are already subdivisions in the county where horses are not allowed even in the washes and on old trails way away from homes. However what is good for the cat or dog owner when their pets run loose is not good for the horse and occasional hiker. Bam! Get off my land! People from the cities, they can be so short sighted and rarely ever stop and enjoy, they are always unhappy about something.

[Happygal]

Mummy, I am not amused!