[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?

[Shooter 2.5]

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

[cajungirl]

Well you do have a point there,,it is an entire industry and quite a social as well as healthy outdoor pursuit. I take back all I said. The jodhpurs are useful I guess to keep one from getting all tangled up on something. So I stand corrected. I think the snobbery invites efforts to get rid of the sport,,sort of like the tax lobby loves to try to get rid of rich people.