Traditions and Trivia: Fox Hunts

Fox Hunts have been a traditional part of Boxing Day in England, Scotland and Wales for many years, recorded as early as the 16th century.

The fox hunt traditionally includes the prey animal--usually a red or grey fox--foxhounds--usually English or American breeds, though sight hounds like greyhounds are occasionally used--and finally, the humans on horseback, dressed in red and white.

The hounds are let loose to track the foxes, driving out the animals, while the humans on horseback follow. The hunt takes great skill and athleticism from horse and rider alike to follow the swift hounds through rough terrain.

However, in 2004 the hunting of foxes with hounds was banned.

According to about.com, “Hunters will still gather dressed resplendently in red hunting coats to the sound of the hunting horn, but it is now forbidden in law to chase the fox with dogs, so the dogs now follow artificially laid trails.”

Though hunting with dogs is a criminal offense, shooting of foxes to protect livestock is not.

Stats from www.independent.co.uk state that eight out of ten Brits are for keeping the hunting ban.

As of 2013 the law has not been repealed, and if popular opinion has an influence, chances are it won't be.