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Some background on fox population in Britain.
Fox – Game And Wildlife conservation Trust
That may help this discussion…, or pour petrol on the fire!
Interesting article. However, trying to find what “fox bag” meant led me to a definition on the urban dictionary website which I’m certain isn’t the right one!
If I’m understanding correctly, it actually means how many foxes have been shot each year, and the numbers seem to be increasing, suggesting the fox population is on the rise. One aspect that wasn’t immediately clear though is how the number of people and time spent trying to do the shooting has varied over time.
I was also quite surprised how low the total population estimates are.
TTC
“At the moment the ‘pro’ arguement seems to be it was a great social event (irrelevant, dog fighting fans probably are of the same opinion), foxes kill chickens (who knew? Humans kill everything), and someone has seen a fox who looks unhealthy (irrelevant and unsubstantiated. No doubt being torn apart by hounds would improve his demeanour). LA Law it ain’t.”It would be nice if you’d understand what is being said TTC. The ‘pro’ argument is not that it’s a great social event (although it is for some), but is a sport and a rural necessity. Many followers of hunting are not present at the kill end, but are on foot/vehicle and watch the progress of the hunt in relation to the fox. A fox is smart, knows it’s territory and often ‘guide’ its pursuers through the local terrain best suited for it’s survival. To think that it’s simply a run and chase event in all parts is basic ignorance.
I don’t know the success percentage, but I’d put money on the fox having the favourable result. With the one’s that don’t get away, then their exit is much the same as the one they use themselves. Trust me, they don’t ask a rabbit to stand still for a moment while they humanely knock it over the head like some gentlemanly Basil Brush, they chase it down until they kill it.
I have no desire to see foxes removed from the countryside, they have an important job to do, but at the end of the day, they are vermin. They can be opportunistic predators and perhaps you have never witnessed it, simply slaughter poultry for fun. If the numbers are allowed to increase, then it’s not the foxes fault that it has to be more opportunistic in it’s efforts to find food.
“foxes kill chickens (who knew? Humans kill everything)”………How is that a relevant statement? Obviously you have never had poultry.
“I note both you and Griff have not answered that query as yet.”
I also note you also haven’t answered mine TTC. (Thank you for your link Rob).Ian
“Btw, I don’t think any anti-hunting sentiment is due to so-called “Class envy,” but I do think a few hunting participants historically have given the impression they think they are part of some sort of elite to whom the law does not apply.
And that – not their wealth – is the bit that grates with the great unwashed like myself!”Then we’re unwashed together Ian, because I have no time for them either. It’s much like the Cheltenham Festival for instance, the genuine racegoers and the Hurray Henry’s there for a day out and the socializing, and racing is just a side issue.
In what way is the illegal act of Fox Hunting with hounds a “rural neccessity”? Why is it a fact that the fox population requires “controlling”?
I am not reading much here in the way of evidence to support making legal an illegal act.
BUY THE SUN
Wasting your time TTC. One minute hunting is essential to control numbers (despite the contrary argument that the fox usually gets away); the next, the loss of hunting is driving foxes to extinction. You can’t argue with that sort of logic. Even if you try, unless you’re actually an active part of the fox/deer/hare/otter hunting, badger-baiting & hare-coursing set, you’re just dismissed as you “don’t understand the ways of the country”, regardless of the fact that you’ve lived there all your life and/or make your living from the land.
The fox might know his territory but when most of his earths are blocked the day before the hunt, Charlie is certainly at a disadvantage.
Waiting to see how anyone can justify “cubbing”?I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysI have a little story….
It’s Boxing Day morning in the early to mid 1980s and before the racing on TV from Kempton me and my Dad have decided to go for a drive to watch some Hunt out Beverley way.
We arrive to see the hardcore in hunting pinks already in a thicket to the right of a field with the hounds and the local My Little Pony mob sat on their motley steeds watching like spare ***** at a wedding.
Suddenly there is a great commotion, the hounds are onto a scent and the noise in the thicket is deafening.
“What’s going on, Dad?”
My father, from a rural Cheshire background, but a right chippy lefty who despised the lot of them replied: “I think the Fox is cornered and making a desperate run for it by criss-crossing its own tracks to try to confuse the hounds.”
No sooner had he spoken than the Fox flew out of the thicket like a bat out of Hell, literally running for its life across the field.
The horns were sounded, the hounds emerged and charged off…in almost completely the opposite direction, followed by the MLP mob despite the Fox having made its bid for life the other way in clear view of them.
I kid you not, the Fox looked over its shoulder, slowed its pace and finally stopped at the far end of the field, a couple of furlongs away (we had bins) and sat and watched as the Hunt headed off in the wrong direction, before ambling away.
Me and Dad jumped in the car and followed the Hunt.
We saw various members of MLP unseated jumping hedges across land, even one of the Hunting pinks came to grief until they alm caught up with the rabble of hounds who had degenerated into ending up fighting each other in a field a mile away.
I’m not gonna lie – my Dad was laughing his socks off.
And he wasn’t alone.
Best Boxing Day in YEARS.
Mind you, we always were easily amused.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Excellent stuff. Akin to making a clenched fist when hearing news of a Spanish Bull-torturer being gored in an unpleasant area, I would have been punching the air and cheering along with ID Sr. Haway Basil!
Purwell – I’m not even researching ‘cubbing’. Sounds upsetting, and I’m not too robust when it comes to the suffering of animals, children, or indeed the children of animals. I can probably guess what this ‘pastime’ involves.
BUY THE SUN
Totally agree with you Purwell, on both points.
I have an issue with blocking earths. On the one hand, the idea is to get rid of the fox, but for me personally it’s also a question of fairness. If he’s been hunted and gets to the protection of his earth, then that should be sanctuary for him and there will be another day.
A little contradictory I suppose, but I guess I’m just a little softy at heart.
One of my better threads, I like to think.
I’d actually forgotten about it.
Thanks, Marlingford.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I’m opposed to fox-hunting but….. if a fox could eat you, it would, and it wouldn’t care if it had to chase you buck naked all around the country to do so.
I think the police would catch me before the fox. On the other hand if I was chasing a fox – I’ve never done it but it would be fun I suppose – but I would probably let foxy go. I’m a fence sitter.
I do think the fox threads are getting slightly out of hand they are simply popping up everywhere. I have found this rather amusing.
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