Fox Hunting

As a child, I was a member of a local fox hunting club. I was only 12, and joined up because at the time, I would have taken any opportunity offered to me that allowed me to do more riding.
I didn’t know it back then, but our hunt club was a “no-kill” organization that used the “drag” method of hunting. Literally, synthetic fox scent was “dragged” across the hunting lands in such a way as to yield as safe but exhilarating gallop for the hunt club members. No actual fox was hunted or killed.
Like I said, I was a kid and really didn’t understand the whole thing. All I knew was it was an incredibly fun way for me to spend my Saturday mornings. Plus, I got to dress up in my formal hunting attire, and put my best tack on my pony. All in all, I have amazing memories of those years.
As an adult, I learned about “real” fox hunting. I learned about its history – that at one time it was considered a legitimate way of ridding a farm of vermin. I also learned about some of the more barbaric practices that came with the capture and killing of a real fox. Take “blooding,” for example, where the first people on the scene paint their faces with fresh fox blood. Or the practice of giving away the fox’s body parts (some parts to the ladies, some for the gents). Pretty icky stuff.
I’m no bleeding heart, but I do believe we were put here to be good stewards of this earth, and that includes treating our animals friends with kindness and mercy. I don’t look down on people who must hunt animals for food. But, I do believe if that is what you must do, it should be done in a way so that the animal does not suffer.
I don’t believe there is a good argument that can be made today for “real” fox hunting. It is something people are doing only for pleasure, and it’s just not right.