Fox hunting is often thought of as a primarily British activity in which trained dogs pursue red fox, followed by human hunters who are usually on horses but sometimes on foot. A traditional equestrian activity, many animal rights activists object to it as a barbaric "blood sport", while proponents and participants view it as a crucial part of rural history in England, vital for conservation, and a method of pest control. In other countries where fox hunting is practiced, including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India, it may be traced back to British influence. At the time of the UK Government's Burns Inquiry^* in 2000, it was reported that Portugal and Italy each had one fox hunting pack. Hunting also takes place in France. In the United States, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both kept packs of fox hounds before and after the Revolutionary War. The last U.S. President to hunt was Ronald Reagan, and the last First Lady to do so was Jacqueline Kennedy.

Animals

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The Fox

The fox is the most crucial participant in a fox hunt. A small, omnivorous predator, the fox is driven from its preferred hiding places, generally known as coverts (pronounced "covers"). In Europe the fox hunted is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). In North America the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) or coyote (Canis latrans) are often substituted, although the gray fox usually trees and is not considered sufficiently "sporting." In India, and in other former British Colonies, the jackal was often the quarry, Some other animals such as raccoon and cougar are also hunted with dogs in North America, however the hunt is not ritualised and the dogs are employed to tree the quarry rather than kill or drive the quarry to ground.

The hounds and other dogs

Fox hunting dogs are more properly referred to as hounds, and those specially bred and trained to assist in fox hunting are known as foxhounds. Mostly scent hounds (trained to pursue the fox based on its scent), most are used for various types of hunting. Greyhounds (a type of sight hound) are used running down hares (called coursing), while harriers are typically used for mounted hare hunting. (The name "harrier" originally comes from the prey animal, and only later is used in other English words such as "harry" or "harass.") Beagles are used for hunting hares on foot (called "beagling") whilst more-or-less purebred English Foxhounds are used for hunting stag, otter or mink. Although it is technically possible to course foxes with sighthounds such as greyhounds or lurchers, to do so is considered unsporting because of the high mortality, and such coursing is mostly done by poachers.

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@johnrobb77 yes foxhunting and irag war? people cruel to people often dont like cruelty to animals but the idea he gets MORE power scary?
suzannemoore197 (suzanne moore) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:10:03 -0000
@johnrobb77 yes foxhunting and irag war? people cruel to people often dont like cruelty to animals but the idea he gets MORE power scary?
About foxhunting: The unspeakable chasing the uneatable. Oscar Wilde #quote
AmmO_Singh (Ammo Singh) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:10:43 -0000
About foxhunting: The unspeakable chasing the uneatable. Oscar Wilde #quote
Foxhunting Framed Print (Katy) $100: " With A Scent Breast High" Artist:Wright This authentic engraving and .. http://bit.ly/4WkrN8
CraftedbyNina (Krysti) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:44:37 -0000
Foxhunting Framed Print (Katy) $100: " With A Scent Breast High" Artist:Wright This authentic engraving and .. http://bit.ly/4WkrN8
@lappinm Live issues like... foxhunting... and British involvement in... Iraq. No doubt also the Corn Laws, and the 1688 Bill of Rights.
twistedfluff (twistedfluff) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:00:38 -0000
@lappinm Live issues like... foxhunting... and British involvement in... Iraq. No doubt also the Corn Laws, and the 1688 Bill of Rights.
Cowell: "A show where we ask the public if we should be in Iraq. Foxhunting! I think it should be banned. Still." (Er, it is. It still is)
paulcarvill (Paul Carvill) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:20:23 -0000
Cowell: "A show where we ask the public if we should be in Iraq. Foxhunting! I think it should be banned. Still." (Er, it is. It still is)
Cowell: if don't have a political xfactor, how could politicians find out how the public feel about issues like foxhunting??! #newsnight
nextleft (Sunder Katwala) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:18:26 -0000
Cowell: if don't have a political xfactor, how could politicians find out how the public feel about issues like foxhunting??! #newsnight

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