HUNTING the FACTS

  


Hunting - The Facts
Hunting with hounds is the natural and most humane way of controlling the population of all four quarry species.
* Wild animals are used to hunting and being hunted. They are adapted to it by evolution.
* What might be a devastating experience for man or domestic pet is part of normal daily life in the wild. Wild animals lack the complex brain and mental abilities necessary to perceive the human concepts of fear and death. For the major part of any hunt the quarry is under no abnormal stress.
* Stress in the short final stage of a hunt is equivalent to no more than that of strenous exercise. The kill, if it occurs, is almost instantaneous and above all certain.
* Hunting leaves no wounded or damaged survivors.
* Quarry that evade hounds rapidly return to normal activity.
* Hunting performs a vital search and dispatch function for the weak and the sick.
More Facts about Hunting with Hounds
Hunting performs a vital search and dispatch function whereby the weak, the sick, and the injured are discovered and quickly dispatched.
No other method of culling performs this function. Hunting uniquely reproduces the natural selection process whereby weak and sick animals are culled in direct relation to their debility, thereby promoting the health and vigour of the species. Hunting leaves no wounded or damaged survivors.
Death in the wild, in the absence of natural predators and without hunting, involves pain, sepsis, gangrene, starvation, hypothermia, for days or even weeks before death finally supervenes.
The sporting or recreational element of hunting is irrelevant to the welfare issue except in that it pays for this particular method of humane control.
It is totally immaterial to the hunted animal whether opponents or proponents of hunting regard it as sport. Hunting must be judged solely on what is best for the welfare of the quarry species not by misguided anthropomorphism or moral prejudices.
There is nothing intrinsically or morally wrong in using a pack of hounds to hunt wild animals, a fishing rod to catch a fish or a shotgun to kill pheasants.
On the contrary hunting with hounds is entirely natural to the quarry species and does not use any alien human technology for which the quarry has no natural defence. After initial flight hunted animals appear remarkably unconcerned and simply keep ahead of the hounds whose pace is determined by the scenting conditions. Quarry that evade hounds rapidly return to normal activity.
A pack of hounds is essential for hunting.
The suggestion that it would be fairer to use a single hound - one against one, is to totally misunderstand the nature and purpose of hunting. A single scenting hound would be quite unable to find, let alone hold the scent of the quarry during the tracking phase of a hunt.
As it is, some 80% of foxes detected elude hounds due to the scent being lost.
Foxes and the other quarry species are not hunted to the point of physical exhaustion and collapse.
Rather to the point, while still capable of running hard, they are caught by the more durable hounds and usually because they make a mistake. The average pace of a hunt often amounts to little more than a brisk walk.
The kill is almost instantaneous by breaking the neck or crushing the thorax, made possible by the considerable power to weight ratio and height advantage of the hound over three of the four quarry species. The actual cause of death is largely academic; what is important is how quick and how certain. The subsequent dismemberment of the carcass, if it occurs, is of no consequence to the dead animal. Deerhounds do not attack their quarry but bring it to bay.
Natural biological control of foxes and the other quarry species will not occur until lack of food and diseases resulting from overpopulation, are so extreme as to suppress reproduction activity or cause widespread mortality.
This clearly does not represent a healthy and vigorous wildlife species. Furthermore the population level of foxes, at which this so called natural control might occur, would bring about levels of predation totally unacceptable to farmers and the overall balance of other wildlife.
To state that hunting is "not acceptable in a civilised society" is to totally misunderstand wildlife.
Wild animals do not live in civilised society and those people who would put them there do them no favour whatsoever. It demonstrates a profound ignorance of the true role of hunting in wildlife management and animal welfare.
No hunting person kills or culls animals for pleasure.
Hunting has to be carried out to preserve the health and vigor of wild animal populations that are without natural predators in our present day countryside. Man has a responsiblilty to manage the countryside he has created and the wildlife populations therein. Laissez faire will not do.

Thankyou for you comments

I would like to thank all who visit this site.....and for the comments they leave.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post " The Irish Hare (Lepus Timidus Hibernicus) The H...":

Hi Yvonne...your enthusiastic support for live hare coursing (on greyhound knowledge forum etc) is a matter of such obvious public knowledge at this stage that I presume you won't object if we (the Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports)tell the world about your promotion of a vile cruel disgusting form of animal cruelty that is a CRIMINAL OFFENCE in Britain, Australia, and elsewhere.

You brag and proudly boast to your animal-baiting pals pals on "Greyhound Knowledge Forum" (we have all the scripts)about your sickening love of animal cruelty. Your pictures show only happy hares and running greyhounds...why do you omit the maulings and the injuries and the other abuses?

Over the coming weeks and months we will relay in full graphic TRUTH your SICK message of support for hare coursing to EVERYONE.

Are you aware that the majority of Irish people, including Tipperary people, OPPOSE this disgusting cruelty to animals?

We will, as is our right, inform all your potential customers, and the general public, of what you condone and actively support.

You are a talented photographer. What a pity that you have chosen to promote the barbaric perverted cruelty to animals that is hare coursing.

And we'll be showing on websites all over the world the kind of pictures that you and your animal-baiting pals in the coursing clubs don't want the public to see.

We urge you to re-consider your support for animal cruelty so that we, for our part, can review our proposed worldwide exposure of your pro-animal cruelty projects.

Thanking you,

Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports

In reply ..........im sorry ive have no pictures of hares being torn to bits............all your photos and videos are from England where hares were coursed without muzzels......

HARE UP

LATEST NEWS

Hare Up - (See Sporting Press for full statement from DJ Histon)

The news all coursing supporters have been waiting for has arrived. Minister for the Environment Mr. John Gormley has signed the licence for the coursing season of 2009/2010, permitting clubs to net hares from September 16. This year’s delayed issuance of the licence has caused concern to the coursing fraternity given that clubs take their responsibilities more seriously than ever and have the conservation of the hare at the core at all times.
Some debate has been generated over the past weeks both from within coursing circles and from the anti lobbyists who claim to have the welfare of the hare as central to their cause. Their view is short sighted, as they fail to recognise the positive influences coursing clubs have on the hare population. Without the efforts of our sport the hare population would be without the significant layer of protection it presently enjoys from the hare husbandry initiatives afforded by coursing clubs on a 12 month basis. They fail to see that coursing operates in a highly regulated environment. Although our sport may take place only over the winter months and is sensitive to the hare breeding season, the preparation and policing of preserves is a continuous activity and conducted on a voluntary basis. The anti groups need to recognise that without regulated coursing there would be an increase of unregulated coursing taking place throughout the year, with no organisation taking responsibility or interest in the overall well being of the hare.
This weekend at Powerstown Park, coursing enthusiasts with a desire for knowledge will attend a hare seminar to share and gather information. This event is open to all interested parties by registering with the ICC and will commence at 11.30am.

FORTUNA

Its reported in the Sporting Press that last seasons Oaks winner is to be retired.  I must say that her sporting owner  Brigid Frank made the Festival meeting memorable for me with her antics at the top of the field after every round.

Fortuna has a long standing tendon injury that resurfaced again in her prep for this year.....so its off to the breeding paddocks.  I hope her owners are rewarded with pups as talented and brave as thier dam.

Its great credit to the skills of  Trainer Charlie Faul  and courage of Fortuna......three runs on the last day is no mean feat but Fortuna shrugged off her handicap with great fortitude


 
Trainer Charlie Faul with Fortuna before her semi final win

 

Let the celebrations begin!!

Back into the swing

Well the weekend is on its way and its not long until it all kicks off.  Ive a placed booked on the Hare seminar where im taking pictures. Then, Sunday is the first day of hare catching....im out with Thurles CC........looking forward to the crac.....I hope your all out with your clubs helping with this very important task.  Its great fun.

Hare Seminar

For all those attending the Hare Seminar

 The start time is .... 11.30

And Finally

Good news at last.........two weeks later than expected the Minister signs the License

Ladies and Gentlemen............Lets Go Coursing!!!

Hunting Rally....Please attend

Latest News:

HAI/FACE RALLY

Rally re Dog Breeding legislation and Animal Welfare Bill on Wednesday 16th September at Woodlands Hotel, Adare, Co. Limerick. 8pm Your support is vital.

All Country Sports need to join together to stop the onslaught of misguided "animal lovers"

The Irish Hare (Lepus Timidus Hibernicus)

The Hare is one of Irelands longest established mammals. It is a sub-species of the mountain hare. This will explain why the odd white hares are found. Its average weight is 7.7lb and can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
It is seldom seen in daylight....unless flushed. And appears more placid in nature than the Brown Hare. It has the ability to survive on many types of habitats. It will spend the day hidden in cover then venture out to graze at dusk.

It is estimated that one family of foxes can kill upward of 30 adult hares a year! It is also said that Badgers.....who are on the increase (i saw 8 dead badgers on the road sunday) are responsible for the deaths of many leverets.

a interesting website
http://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/Quercus/Projects/2008/1NIIrishharesurvey2008/

News

10 September 2009

Minister extends measures to protect Irish Hare

Environment Minister Edwin Poots is proposing to renew the temporary ban on the killing, taking, sale, or purchase of Irish Hares.
The proposal is to introduce a special protection order under the Game Preservation Act (NI) 1928, for the period December 1st 2009 to August 11th 2010, which includes the 'close season' for hunting hares.

Recent results from the 2009 Northern Ireland Irish hare survey have shown that there are approximately 27,400 hares in Northern Ireland.

Speaking today the Minister said: “The conservation mechanisms that my department has put in place are bearing fruit and the number of Irish Hares is being sustained.

“However, until all data from the surveys undertaken so far can be analysed in 2010, I believe that there is a need for continued temporary protection. Therefore I am proposing that a new Special Protection Order should be made.”

What a shame the Minister cannot grasp the fact that the best protection he can give the hare is to allow Coursing. Who else is to protect the hare , but the people who value the countryside and its pursuits

Sevenhouses White Hare 08


White Hare at Borris in Ossory 08

HARE SEMINAR

HARE SEMINAR

I will be attending this seminar next week. a short feature will appear on this blog.

Following the recent AGM of the Irish Coursing Club it is proposed to hold a Hare Husbandry Seminar at Powerstown Park on Saturday, September 19th.
It is open to all clubs and members to attend.
The seminar will be hosted by the ICC Hare Husbandry Committee and will provide a comprehensive discussion on all elements associated with the hare.
A tour of the Powerstown facility will conclude the seminar.

An application appeared on the Sporting Press of Thurs Aug 27th ***
This should be completed by any club or member wishing to attend.
Must be returned to DJ Histon, Secretary Irish Coursing Club on or before Monday 14th September.

* Application Form will also appear on Sporting Press issue of Thursday 10th September or alternatively you can simply write to DJ Histon, Secretary Irish Coursing Club, Davis Road, Clonmel, Co Tipperary expressing your wish to attend the seminar. Remember to include your Daytime telephone number and the name of the coursing club of which you are a member.

Its a tense time for all coursing supporters . As it stands at the moment the season is two weeks away and still no sign of the Hare catching License being signed.

Politicians never fail to let us down !. Is it any wonder that the Green Party is considered a joke when they flaunt the laws for their own ends.

With this in mind I would like to draw your attention to the following meetings....



All Field Sport enthusiasts are invited to attend the forthcoming Rallies organised by the Hunting Association of Ireland (H.A.I)

Woodlands Hotel, Adare on Wednesday September 16th.
Carlton Sheerwater Hotel, Ballinasloe on Thursday October 8th.
Both Rallies will commence at 8pm.

DJ Histon, Secretary Irish Coursing Club has been invited by the HAI to speak at the Rally in Adare.
The HAI extend a special welcome to all coursing suporters to attend.


The time has come for all coursing supporters to join together to let the public know of the true facts of Hare Coursing.....

Coursing generates in the region of 16 million euro for the beleagured Irish economy during the National Coursing Meeting in Clonmel each February (not to mention the contribution to the economy for the other 51 weeks of the year)

The recent study of the Irish Hare undertaken by Quercus on behalf of the National Parks & Wildlife Service concluded that "the level of hare husbandry afforded the hare by coursing clubs actually enhances the continued survival prospects of the species"

Pa Fitzgerald with his 2009 Irish Cup winner Sandy Sea

Welcome to this blog.

I plan to attend a Coursing meeting every week.........and keep up to date with my weekly pictorial.

So before the new season starts......lets take a look at some of last seasons stars.

And what better place to start than with those two epic semi finals from the Irish Cup

Sandy Sea v Wallace Green.

Johnny Casanova v Siena Steele.

Im sure everyone present that day will remember these two fine buckles for a long time to come