CUBS 



CHAPTER III 



THE supply of foxes in a hunting country 

 depends upon the number of litters of 

 cubs which reach maturity. It was I 

 think the late George Lane Fox, Master of the 

 Bramham Moor, who said " You preserve jam, 

 not foxes." All the latter require in the way of 

 preservation, is to be left severely alone, and the 

 coverts kept quiet. If we want good sport, we 

 must have an adequate supply of wild, healthy 

 foxes, and a killing pack of hounds. Directly 

 artificial means of increasing the supply are 

 resorted to, a marked deterioration in sport and 

 the quality of the foxes becomes apparent. To 

 insure healthy cubs, and a consequent stock of 

 well-doing, adult foxes, the vixens must be left 

 to attend to their family affairs in their own way. 

 Nothing is easier than this in a country where 

 there is mutual good-will between the shooting 

 and hunting fraternity. Unfortunately however 

 there are some countries in which the two interests 

 clash, and in consequence the foxes suffer. The 

 keeper knows of a litter or litters in his coverts, 

 and, instead of leaving the vixens alone, he waits 

 until the cubs are of an age to feed themselves, 

 then quietly puts the vixens away. The cubs 



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