Fox Hunting

The above (two merged) images were taken on the 26th of December 2019 at a “Meath Hunt” fox hunt. Taken by a hunt supporting photographer Bernard Hand—make sure to boycott his work. We merged the images, but as you can see the ground, they were close to each other.

Fox hunting, what is it?

There are a variety of different forms of fox hunting in Ireland. Certain types of hunting involve the murder of foxes (such as lamping, long-distance shooting, driven shoots by "gamekeepers") however they are not what is meant by the term "foxhunting".

The term foxhunting is commonly referred to as the pursuit of foxes by hunt scum riding horses who have trained a pack of foxhounds to chase and murder foxes. That murder can happen in a variety of ways, generally through the ripping apart by the hounds. Still, sometimes they are shot after being dug out from an underground refuge by terrier-exploiting-men.

Where did fox hunting originate?

Foxhunting with hounds was invented by the British Empire in the sixteenth century, brought to Ireland during our occupation.

How is fox hunting structured?

In Ireland, there are two main "tiers" of hound packs involved in foxhunting; foxhounds and harriers. Foxhounds are the top tier who specifically hunt foxes whilst harriers are the second tier who hunt both foxes and hares. If there are both a foxhunt and harrier pack in the same area, the harriers have to ask "permission" to hunt the foxhound's area. Foxhound hunt staff will wear red coats; generally, harriers wear green. The average hunt staff consists of: a few "masters" who are shareholders in the hunt, a huntsman who controls the hounds, one or two whipper-ins who are also involved in the hunting of hounds and a field master whose job is to keep the "field" away from any of the kills. The "field" is the riders who are out to jump walls and ditches on horses, generally not involved in the hunting.

"Terriermen" (terrier-exploiting-men): their job is to send small terriers down an earth (sometimes a drainpipe, fox hole or more commonly badger setts, which is illegal) where a fox has "gone to ground" (taken refuge). The terrier's job is to "hold up" (violently prevent the fox from leaving) a fox whilst the terrier men dig them out. Once they are dug out, they may be shot, thrown to the hounds alive or be "bolted" (thrown out) to continue the chase. Terrier-exploiting-men usually get a bloodlust thrill from the power of deciding the fate of the vulnerable and tired fox.

Is fox hunting legal?

Fox hunting in Ireland is legal. The main legal issues involved with foxhunting are interference with a badger sett and hunting hounds across land whilst trespassing, which are both wildlife crimes. Foxes have little protection from the law, and convictions are near to impossible to achieve. Fox hunting in this form was banned In the UK (where it was invented) in 2005.

When does it take place?

This form of hunting will start in early August with the "blooding" of new hounds, referred to as "cub hunting". They will target adolescents and old foxes who are less able to escape, so the young hounds get an early taste of blood. This will continue up to last weekend of October when the "field" will be invited out and the full season begins. They will hunt until early March, some continuing until mid-April.

How many are there?

There are at least 110 registered foxhound and harrier packs on the island of Ireland, with a substantial amount more unregistered packs.