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Original poster

That thorny old chestnut.... fox-hunting

91 replies

MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 17:53

Not that this is particularly in the news at the moment but it's never far away. And with Boxing Day approaching I need to ask the good people of MN for their views on this.

I hate the idea of hunting. But I also hate snaring / poisoning.

I know people who are really nice decent folk who I am sure would never intentionally support cruelty, yet they believe that hunting is a good thing?

Is it really more humane to chase a fox to its death than to shoot it?

I am just an old softie I know, and I do appreciate that 'pests' need to be controlled. I would hate to think however, that my anti-hunting stance is actually supporting other more barbaric practices.

OP posts:
SixSpotBurNativity · 22/12/2008 18:05

I thought it was banned anyway?

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 18:07

Well, in theory yes.

But I think it still happens in certain guises, none the less.

And there is always the possibility that the anti-hunting legislation could be repealed.

I am just trying to get my head around the facts so I more comfortable with my stance on the issue.

OP posts:
Tortington · 22/12/2008 18:08

no its more about the private group and the elitism involved

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 18:10

Funnily enough, that aspect doesn't bother me custy. Each to their own, if they want to tally-ho then good luck to them. No, it's the foxes I am worried about. Feel free to call me a loon (you won't be the first)..

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rolandbrowning · 22/12/2008 18:10

I think they just like doing it and use the pest control thing as an excuse. And anyway I don't think it's ok to kill an animal because it is in some way inconvenient.

Tortington · 22/12/2008 18:12

on ho sean i agree - but their argument is all becuase they want to preserve their elitist group rather than fox benefit which is bull shit

PaddingtonBore · 22/12/2008 18:13

I don't agree with it.

But I think it's a soft target for people to get all het up about, as most of us neither indulge, nor know anyone who does.

would rather see parliamentary time debating free social care to all, or progressive taxation, or summit.

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 18:14

In my heart of hearts I agree with you roland. But my sensible head concedes that they do awful gratuitous damage to chickens and so on. As much as it goes against the grain, I don't think I could stand up and proclaim that no pest control was allowed.

Well, I could I guess, ask for them to be rounded up and sent to me so I could open some sort of sanctuary.

When I lived in the country I had a fox friend who lived in the garden. He was old and mangy and couldn't hunt anymore. I used to feed him fresh meat everyday (organic none the less, as I felt anything else was unethical). LOL I am glad this is an anonymous forum.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 18:16

One argument that does annoy me is that the hunting brigade always say that more foxes are killed on the road than by hunting.... which would kind of negate the need to hunt then wouldn't it?

PS at anyone who wilfully runs over a fox (or anything else for that matter without trying to swerve/ slow down if safe to do so).

OP posts:
AMIStletoekiss · 22/12/2008 18:16

If it was the most humane and effective method of pest-control, then I'd be ok with it, but when the bill was going through a lot of the hunters claimed that they very rarely actually killed foxes, which struck me as an argument for the bill outlawing it, rather than the opposite. IMO if they'd said well yes we kill a lot of foxes, I'd have been happier in an odd sort of way.

I guess it's a moral element - if they're enjoying causing suffering to an animal, they shouldn't be allowed to do it. If they're controlling pests in an efficient manner then it's acceptable.

cazboldy · 22/12/2008 18:23

it is humane, in that it is usually only sick or old foxes that get caught, and they have a sporting chance to escape.

They create awful damage, and we had 13 out of our 14 ducks killed in one night.

I don't like the thought of causing any animal to suffer, but I really do believe that it is more humane than shooting, where if a fox is wounded, it may take weeks to die of gangrene/starvation and also better than poisoning, gassing or snaring for obvious rasons. If a fox gets caught by a hound it is dead - end of.

I think it should be reinstated!

DisasterArea · 22/12/2008 18:28

sporting??? a sporting chance??? a pack of half wild dogs whipped into a frenzy. a pack of blood thirsty beasts on horses chasing one smaller beast accross countryside, the escape routes barricaded and blocked off. sporting?

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 18:29

Yes Disaster, hardly fair is it?

I am at holes being blocked off and the digging up by those evil little dogs.

OP posts:
Ronaldinhio · 22/12/2008 18:34

I've often thought that there were many, many things that I'd be happy to hunt with a pack of dogs

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 18:39

pray continue, Ronaldinhio...........

OP posts:
Ronaldinhio · 22/12/2008 18:40

people who are able bodied and park in disabled spots for a start

tally ho!!!

Ronaldinhio · 22/12/2008 18:41

men who neither pay child support or have anything to do with their dc

Ronaldinhio · 22/12/2008 18:42

women and children bashers/abusers of any sort

Ronaldinhio · 22/12/2008 18:42

polishes bridle and dons hunting tweeds

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 18:43

Yes, I think they justifiably count as pests.

As do those without children who use the parent and child spaces and who tell you to F* off if you dare point this out.

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TheBayingBanshee · 22/12/2008 18:45

I remember once discussing this with a friend In the US several years ago. At that point it hadn't been banned and she was shocked it was still going on. I said the argument for fox hunting was "Have you ever seen a chicken coop after a fox has been inside it?" Quick as a flash she said "have you ever seen a chicken coop after a human has been inside it?" Says it all really. I just can't see any reasonable explanation for blood sports.

TheBayingBanshee · 22/12/2008 18:47

Also I have heard horror stories about what happens to the dogs once they get too old to hunt.

Original poster
MrsSeanBean · 22/12/2008 18:48

Well, if more are killed on the roads than hunted, and there such are a small number left roaming around being a menace to chickens maybe I could revive my sanctuary idea after all!

Foxes roll up roll up - this way for organic, free range and humanely slaughtered chicken.

OP posts:
Eve · 22/12/2008 18:51

I love hunting... but before anyone comes after me, I drag or trail hunt. Thats following a scent ...not an live animal.

But it really really winds me up when I get accused of being elitist!!

So what, I have horses... I take then hunting for the love of the sport and riding.

I don't smoke, I have a 12 yr old TV, I don't have expensive handbags, I don't go shopping every weekend..... but somehow I'm elitist!!

..a lof of the money I spend on horses keep a heck of others in employment in the rural economy... the farmer for the land, the hay, the straw, the horse feed, the horse box that is made in the UK...

MadameCastafiore · 22/12/2008 18:53

That is silly BayingBanshee - humans do not do to a flock of chickens what foxes do - all a human would do inside most chicken coop is collect the eggs!

Around here in the country hunting is a way of life - my neighbour often hangs manky dead animals in his yard and it doesn;t bother us - you see so much of it dead on the roads!

Mind you I was more pro hunting when I lived in the city and the manky foxes used to shit in our garden and rip open our bins - here you dont see them unless they are lying all bloody with their heads at unatural angles on the side of the road.