FOX-HUNTING IN NEW ENGLAND 



In New England and some of the Northern and 

 Middle States, the fox is hunted with two or three 

 hounds, or oftener with only one, the hunter go- 

 ing on foot and armed with a shot-gun or rifle, 

 his method being to shoot the fox as it runs before 

 the hounds. The sport is exciting, invigorating, 

 and manly, and by its votaries is esteemed the 

 chief of field sports. The fox is proverbially the 

 most cunning of beasts, often eluding by his 

 tricks the most expert hunter and the truest 

 hounds. Long walks are required, which take one 

 over many miles of woods, hills, and fields; and this 

 in fall and winter when the air is always pure 

 and bracing. I have noticed that many who de- 

 light to shoot the hare or the deer before the 

 hounds, are accustomed to scoff at this sport, 

 which indeed is generally held in contempt by 

 those who arrogate to themselves the title of " true 

 sportsmen." 



It is difficult to see wherein it is more unsports- 

 manlike to hunt before hounds an animal of such 

 self-possession and such varied cunning, that it 

 is continually putting its pursuers at fault, when 

 it is sportsmanlike to hunt in like manner animals 

 who have each, speed failing, only a trick apiece 



