Trail Hunting ban

[pubrunner]

I'm pleased to see that the Government intends to ban Trail Hunting.

As a dog lover, I'm against any kind of hunting with dogs. I don't like the way hounds are treated; these intelligent creatures are usually kept indoors for most of the day, in dark sheds. They are simply regarded as disposable by the huntsmen - they are not treated with any degree of kindness or compassion. When they get to about 5 or 6 years old (half a potential lifespan), they are killed off, often by using a bolt gun to the skull - on the basis that it is quick, easy . . . and cheap. It saddens me, that folk support hunting with dogs, on the basis that it is a 'traditional' pursuit and are seemingly content to ignore/overlook the fate of the hounds.

Labour is probably doing this as class warfare, but its the right thing to do (for the wrong reason) - what are your thoughts on this ?

 

[AndyRM]

I'm pleased to see that the Government intends to ban Trail Hunting.

As a dog lover, I'm against any kind of hunting with dogs. I don't like the way hounds are treated; these intelligent creatures are usually kept indoors for most of the day, in dark sheds. They are simply regarded as disposable by the huntsmen - they are not treated with any degree of kindness or compassion. When they get to about 5 or 6 years old (half a potential lifespan), they are killed off, often by using a bolt gun to the skull - on the basis that it is quick, easy . . . and cheap. It saddens me, that folk support hunting with dogs, on the basis that it is a 'traditional' pursuit and are seemingly content to ignore/overlook the fate of the hounds.

Labour is probably doing this as class warfare, but its the right thing to do (for the wrong reason) - what are your thoughts on this ?

I don't see it as class warfare, or city boys meddling with country traditions, but it's inevitably getting portrayed that way: it's just an unfair fight.

By all means hunt a fox, but do it on your own and engage the fox in unarmed combat, not with the backup of the Grand National and a pack of hounds on your side. If you want to tootle on a bugle while you do this be my guest, but I doubt it'll aid your chances.

 

[BoldonLad]

Not a pastime I have ever taken part in, but, as I understand it, it is not actually hunting.

Not at the top of the list of issues to tackle IMHO.

 

[Psamathe]

I see nothing wrong with the principle of "Trail Hunting". Problem comes with the reality.

The Hunting Act (2004) is a mess andf poor legislation and needs sorting. League Against Cruel Sports did an excellect series of podcasts interviewing a number of experts on the act (https://www.league.org.uk/leaguecast/listen-to-more-episodes/).

Those wanting to fox hunt try to portray it as "pest control" - where I used to live in rural Oxfordshire the area had artificial fox sets and fox cubs were purchased to provide the fox population for hunts (from a place in Banbury).

Too often "Trail Hunting" becomes a route to an illegal fox hunt with no enforcement, even secret deals between Police and huts resulting in cancellation of CPNs (eg Warwickshire).,

I generally disappointed with most of what Blue Labour have done but this proposed legislation (with wider scope than just the trail hunting) they currently have right. I say currently as cynic I am, I worry they'll be watering it down once lobbyists start getting to Ministers.

 

[briantrumpet]

Not a pastime I have ever taken part in, but, as I understand it, it is not actually hunting.

Not at the top of the list of issues to tackle IMHO.

I think the reality is ends up with dead foxes most of the time.

 

[Ian H]

I think the reality is ends up with dead foxes most of the time.

A friend brought up on Exmoor, who worked for the hunt in the past, absolutely detests the people involved - for many allied reasons.

 

[Psamathe]

Not a pastime I have ever taken part in, but, as I understand it, it is not actually hunting.

I'm very anti-hunting at least the UK hunting for sport/pleasure.

When I lived in France the differences between the French "hunt" (La Chasse) and UK hunting were massive and interesting. Where UK hunt just ride wherever it suits them unconcerned about disruption and damage they cause, in France the hunt can only enter land they have explicit permission to enter. That permission is a legal contract running to several pages. When I lived there I was rural and remote and had 5 hectares of land. After I've been there 6 months a rather timid member of local hunt called round to enquire how I felt about granting them permission. Apparently they'd been scared to ask (I was the only British person in the area). So I quizzed them, they ended-up taking me round areas they hunted, showing me the conservation work they do, etc. and I did end-up granting them permission on specific 3 hectares as it's a totally different concept to that in the UK.

In France they hunt and consume what they catch. Round me it wasn't an affluent person sport but mostly local self-employed trades.

They were very grateful for the contract I signed and periodically over the next 4 years somebody would knock on my front door to offer me a pheasant or some dead animal or on one occasions a vast 3 kg lump of wild boar pâté (mostly I turned it down and we'd end-up just spending the next few hours drinking local wine).

 

[briantrumpet]

A friend brought up on Exmoor, who worked for the hunt in the past, absolutely detests the people involved - for many allied reasons.

The only person I knew who hunted regularly was definitely not of the 'toff' variety of farmer - I think he was something like the 15th generation of the same family in a fairly modest traditional family mixed farm (corn, beef, sheep, cider). Goodness knows how they make enough money now.

Mind you, he doesn't need any money now, as pushing up daisies doesn't require income, just outgoings.

 

[BoldonLad]

If it is an animal cruelty issue, I would have a positive view, if it is all about how much money the participants have/do not have, then I would have a negative view 😊

 

[First Aspect]

People just don't understand the cuntryside.

 

[First Aspect]

The only person I knew who hunted regularly was definitely not of the 'toff' variety of farmer - I think he was something like the 15th generation of the same family in a fairly modest traditional family mixed farm (corn, beef, sheep, cider). Goodness knows how they make enough money now.

Mind you, he doesn't need any money now, as pushing up daisies doesn't require income, just outgoings.

Is this the same farm that needs three people working 6-9, 365 days a year?

 

[briantrumpet]

Is this the same farm that needs three people working 6-9, 365 days a year?

No.

I know more than one farming family, incredible though that might seem.

 

[First Aspect]

No.

I know more than one farming family, incredible though that might seem.

It is fairly unusual for anyone not from a farming background. Although I seem to recall you did do some farm work at one time.

 

[briantrumpet]

It is fairly unusual for anyone not from a farming background. Although I seem to recall you did do some farm work at one time.

Correct (13 years). Lots of good times, but also very very shit when things go wrong, which kind of sums up farming, and at least ultimately I could walk away when I'd had enough.

Actual hands-on physical farming can be very tough (teaching is a doddle in comparison), and then it can feel like everyone else is an expert, even if they've never set foot in a pair of wellies, and hate farmers, just because. I suspect if other occupations were so visible with a product we all rely on, they'd get similar flack.

And I lived in a cottage in deepest Farmingland for 6.5 years.

 

[First Aspect]

Correct (13 years). Lots of good times, but also very very shit when things go wrong, which kind of sums up farming, and at least ultimately I could walk away when I'd had enough.

Actual hands-on physical farming can be very tough (teaching is a doddle in comparison), and then it can feel like everyone else is an expert, even if they've never set foot in a pair of wellies, and hate farmers, just because. I suspect if other occupations were so visible with a product we all rely on, they'd get similar flack.

And I lived in a cottage in deepest Farmingland for 6.5 years.

Most people are experts on teaching as well.