| Fox Hunting has always been seen as a British | | | | of the country, instead settling in towns and cities |
| activity during which highly trained dogs, as well as | | | | where they could find work. Even though roads, |
| human hunters on horseback, pursue the red fox. | | | | rails, and canals split up the hunting land, it made it |
| Animal rights activists find the 'blood sport' to be | | | | more accessible to people who wanted to hunt. |
| barbaric. However, its participants and proponents | | | | Also, the improvement of shotguns during the 19 |
| see it to be a traditional equestrian sport, as well | | | | th century allowed for game shooting to gain |
| as an important aspect of England's aristocratic | | | | popularity. |
| history. In fact, even though it does take place in | | | | Even though it is viewed as a usually typical rural |
| several countries, its roots can be traced to the | | | | British sport, hunting using hounds does take place |
| British. | | | | all over. Those hunts in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, |
| Known as venery, the use of scent hounds to | | | | and also India are considered to be, to some |
| track prey dates way back to Assyrian, | | | | extent, a British Empire legacy. However, some |
| Babylonian, and also ancient Egyptian times. But, it | | | | do claim that the first pack that was used solely |
| was in England, using the Agassaei breed of dog, | | | | for fox hunting was in the United States. |
| that fox hunting was really popular, taking place | | | | Other countries, influenced by the Greek and |
| before the Romans even arrived. | | | | Romans, also have a tradition of fox hunting using |
| Later, the Romans brought over the Castorian | | | | hounds. For example, both France and Italy still |
| and Fulpine breed of hounds, as well as the brown | | | | have fox hunts. But, in countries such as |
| hare and several species of deer to use as | | | | Switzerland and Germany, fox hunting has been |
| quarry. Wild boar was also known as a hunted | | | | outlawed. |
| animal. | | | | As of 2004, 170 registered packs found in the |
| Norman hunting traditions began when William the | | | | United States and Canada were included by the |
| Conqueror arrived, using Gascon and Talbot | | | | Masters of Foxhounds Association of America, as |
| hounds. In fact, the cry of 'tally ho' is the Norman | | | | well as many more farmer, or non-recognized, |
| equivalent to the French 'il est haut,' meaning he is | | | | packs. |
| up. | | | | When fox hunting is done in the United States, |
| 1534 marks the first known attempt at fox | | | | the pursued fox is often not caught. In fact, they |
| hunting, taking place in Norfolk, England. There, | | | | are trained so they aren't caught during the fox |
| farmers used their dogs to chase foxes as a way | | | | hunt. |
| of pest control. | | | | During the late summer, young hounds are taken |
| It wasn't until the 17 th century that organized | | | | on hunts called "cubbing," during which puppies are |
| pack began to hunt hare and fox, while it those | | | | taught to hunts while the young foxes are taught |
| used specifically for the sport of fox hunting | | | | to give chase. The proper season usually begins in |
| weren't used until the 18 th century. | | | | early November. |
| The Industrial Revolution saw people moving out | | | | |