( from url http://www.huntinginquiry.gov.uk/evidence/awis.htm  )

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO HUNTING WITH DOGS

Part of SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE

Disclaimer : From what you read below (some of it in what some might perceive as emotive language) it is not to be inferred that I either approve or disapprove of foxhunting; I merely reproduce those parts of the report that are genealogically interesting and pertain historically to Joe BOWMAN (Old Hunty), an uncle to my Great Grandfather and huntsman to the Ullswater Foxhounds housed at Grasthwaite How, Patterdale for over 100 years after the amalgamation of the Matterdale (Baldhow) and Patterdale packs.

FUN ON THE FELLS

In the Patterdale area of the Lake District in the 18th century the bailiff kept dogs for the control of "vermin". For this service he levied a charge on the tenants. When he refused to keep the dogs church funds were used to pay a bounty for the killing of "vermin". Through the 19th century the native Lakeland "greyhound" fox rapidly declined in numbers. Ironically as the fox population declined so the popularity of hunting the creature rose. Sporting interests began to offer bounties. In 1875 one notable Nimrodian gave 10s for every fox killed in his parish.

Faced with increasing scarcity of Lakeland foxes the hunting enthusiasts began to import the southern species into the district. The native Lakeland fox became extinct some time soon after 1916. From then on Fell foxhunting became a revered "sport" for which a thriving fox population was essential. Several measures were put in hand to help the introduced fox population boom. Sheep carrion was left scattered over the fellsides as food. Artificial earths were constructed to encourage foxes to breed. One of the largest artificial earth complexes that exists anywhere in the UK was created in Blencathra hunt country round about 1960. Means of killing foxes other than by use of hounds were frowned upon.

The Lakeland fox population has also risen rapidly commensurate with the rise in sheep numbers on the Fells. The natural carrion resulting from a high sheep population is more than enough to feed the fox population without the latter having to resort to killing lambs.

Fell foxhunting is now a "sport" that imposes a cruel and wholly unnecessary burden on the fox population. It poses a threat to sheep farming interests directly through attack by hounds and indirectly by the spread of disease. It causes inconvenience and danger to others who use the Fells for work or leisure. It should be replaced by the humane alternative of hound trailing which for many years existed side by side with the hunting of the fox.

INTRODUCTION.

For those who delight in the spectacle of setting one species of animal on another, fox hunting as practised in the Fells appears to offer much in the way of amusement. That Fell foxhunting is an amusement, a "sport" just as any other hunting there is no doubt. On February 20th 1987, in the TV programme "Face the Public", Chris Ogilvie, huntsman of the Coniston Foxhounds was asked about his foxhunting activities. He stated "I don't hunt foxes to control them and neither does any hunting person...." At this the programmes host interjected with a series of short questions.

Host : "So what do you hunt them for?"

Chris Ogilvie : "We hunt them for sport."

Host : ".....for enjoyment?"

Chris Ogilvie : "Yes."

Host : "For pleasure?"

Chris Ogilvie : "Yes......for pleasure."

(HOWL 36 [The magazine of the Hunt Saboteurs Association], Summer 1987, page 13)

The emphasis on Fell foxhunting being a "sport" is frequently found in the literature. Waddy Wadsworth in "Vive La Chasse" (1989) tells us "The scenery is magnificent, foxes are plentiful, the sport is good, and the company, most entertaining." (VLC page 51). Clearly the abundance of foxes and the quality of the sport is something to be noted as on the following page Waddy reminds his readers : "Foxes are plentiful and sport is usually first class." (VLC page 52). Waddy estimates the support for the six Fell packs at some 10,000. It is only in comparatively recent times that the fox has become plentiful in the Lake District. Skelton in his "Reminiscences of Joe Bowman" published in 1921 quotes an earlier author Clarke writing about the Lakes in the 18th century : "Foxes we have not many, owing to the pains the shepherds take to destroy them." (RJB page 39).

It appears that the native Lakeland fox, a large silver grey, 'greyhound' type was exterminated in the early years of this century by bloodsports enthusiasts. Skelton alludes to this in the following report : "February, 1916, produced a 20lb. fox of silver grey at Nethermost Pike, a species nearly extinct nowadays." (RJB page 77) The old native species was replaced by introductions from the lowlands.

Some of the locals soon saw that killing foxes need not only be a task, it could be pleasurable as well.

EARLY FOX CONTROL MEASURES.

In the 18th century there was the custom known as "Forester's Corn" by which the bailiff kept dogs for the hunting and destroying of foxes and other "vermin" in the Patterdale neighbourhood and for this he received 40 quarts of oats from every tenement.

After a while the bailiff refused to keep the dogs any longer whereupon the tenants refused to pay the corn. The agent for the Lord of the Manor tried to collect the corn. Some tenants paid up but others refused on the grounds that the corn was merely hire paid to the bailiff for the destruction of "vermin". With no dogs being kept the "vermin" allegedly multiplied as did reports of lamb-worrying. Two solutions to the problem were put forward at a vestry meeting. The first was to take legal action to force the lord to keep the dogs he was supposed to, the second to raise money to hire a man to destroy the "vermin". Before this was accomplished the churchwarden paid out of his funds a bounty on the head of dead "vermin" at the following rates:

For killing a fox : 10 groats

For killing a fox's cub : 3 groats

For killing an eagle : 3 groats

For killing a martern : 3 groats

For killing a wild cat : 2 groats

For killing a raven : 1 groat

In some parishes the sum for killing a fox was a noble or 20 groats.

The parishioners also procured the swiftest foxhounds and hired "skilful sportsmen" with guns "and every other engine of destruction". Skelton details the outcome : "Whitsun-week, 1759, was fixed for the attack, and within the first week 12 foxes were destroyed. The campaign yielded 15 foxes, seven badgers, 12 wild cats, nine marts (clean marts), and a prodigious number of foul marts, eagles, ravens, gleads, etc." (RJB page 109).

Parochial records show that the payment from church funds for the slaughter of foxes and other animals viewed as pests continued for many years. In Joe Bowmans' early days it amounted to 5s. for every fox head, 2s 6d. for a mart and so on. The sums varied from district to district. Two years after the formation of the Ullswater pack, in the spring of 1875, Skelton refers to the Ullswater hounds being located at Mr Thos. Parker's, Stang End, "a thoroughly liberal Nimrodian who gave 10s for every fox killed in the parish." (RJB page 19) 10 shillings in 1875 was an enormous sum of money.

Clearly such a bounty scheme was open to abuse in several ways. The importation of foxes could produce money as well as "sport" and the procuring of a live fox at the end of a hunt was well worthwhile. As Skelton tells his readers : "Joe remembers how on one occasion when a fox was caught in Riggindale, one of the hunters proposed, "Let's tak it wick across t'beck we'll git anudther hoaf-croon for it." This was agreed to and the fox was taken "wick" over the beck into Mardale parish and killed behind the "Dun Bull." The extra half-crown was paid, and the occurrence celebrated in the usual convivial way. This payment of "blood money" led to the old custom of "drinking the fox's head." (RJB page 108)

Not surprisingly the sequence by which the Lord of the Manor gave up keeping dogs and thereby obliged the tenants to make their own arrangements could be interpreted by some historians as benevolence on the part of the Lord. JNP Watson in his autobiography "Blue & Scarlet" published in 1990 quotes Hutchinson writing on the inhabitants of Loweswater in his "History of Cumberland" published in 1794 : "The people live in harmony and they express contentment. The peasantry have one enjoyment here, which is prohibited to most men of their class. Through the liberality of their lords a hound is kept in nearly every house. Two or three qualified inhabitants take licence to kill game and command the pack. As soon as harvest is in, an honest cobbler shifts his garb and becomes huntsman, and every second or third morning collects the dogs and calls the sportsmen to the field; the cottagers climb the mountainside where they can view the chase, and without much exertion enjoy the pleasure of the hunt; after which they retire with cheerful minds and invigorated constitutions to their peaceful homes." (BS page 158)

These circumstances led to the formation of the trencher-fed packs that were the forerunners of the present packs. (A trencher-fed pack is not looked after as a pack, rather the hounds are looked after by individuals and only collected together as a pack on hunting days.) With a bounty to be had and "sport" to be had it was hardly surprising that the pastime proved popular.

At the turn of this century there were five packs of foxhounds operating in the Lake District. The Mellbrake, Blencathra, Eskdale, Ullswater and the Coniston.

Foxes have become increasingly plentiful in the Lake District over the last 120 years or so. This perhaps reflects changes in the local farming practices and the increasing institutionalisation of foxhunting as a pastime. In terms of numbers of active supporters the hunts have decreased in popularity but the perception of them as a local 'sport' has taken hold. Richard Clapham writing in the Fox-hunting volume of the Lonsdale Library (1930) comments "In the old days eight or nine brace of foxes was about the total for the season's hunting, whereas now thirty brace is nearer the mark. Foxes were few and far between and, when found, ran much farther than most of them do now. They were bigger and greyer specimens too." (LL page 275)

NUMBERS AND QUALITY OF LAKELAND FOXES.

Some ten years earlier Richard Clapham had noted the demise of the traditional Lakeland fox as a result of importations of lowland foxes by hunting enthusiasts. In his book "Foxhunting on the Lakeland Fells" published in 1920 he lamented : "In John Peel's time the fell country fox was a distinct variety. Long in the leg, with a grizzle-grey jacket covering a wiry frame, the appellation "greyhound" fitted him exactly. As such he was then known, and the extraordinary long runs which he often provided fully upheld his reputation as a traveller. In habits, too, he was different from the present-day representatives of the vulpine race. Wild and shy, he avoided the haunts of men, and was seldom found lying up anywhere near human habitations. He and his kind were few in number, compared with the ample stock today, and in consequence each individual fox travelled a wider beat, and knew more country. It, therefore, naturally followed that hounds often ran fast and far when piloted by one of these old fashioned "greyhound" customers.

By degrees, owing to the importation of foxes for restocking certain districts adjoining the fells, the true hill fox became infused with this new blood. The new-comers were a smaller and redder variety, and although to-day hounds often account for foxes with greyish jackets, the supply as a whole differs little in appearance from the foxes which are brought to hand in the shires." (FLF pages 23-24)

Four years later in "Sport on Fell, Beck, & Tarn" (1924) Richard Clapham restated his views over the apparent deterioration in the quality of the Lakeland fox. "In the old days there were some very big foxes on the fells, but now the breed has somewhat deteriorated owing to an admixture of outside blood, introduced by foxes imported to countries bordering the fells." (SFBT page 24) Unfortunately in neither book does he expound on just who "imported" these foxes or why.

The importation of foxes by hunting enthusiasts brought with it the introduction of disease. A point noted by Richard Clapham in his 1920 publication : "That dread scourge, mange, seldom makes its appearance on the fells, and was unheard of until the importation of foxes from outside introduced it. There is no more horrid sight than a badly manged fox, hairless, and foul with disease." (FLF page 37)

That there might have been a need to import foxes for sport is evidence by some of the reports in "Baily's Hunting Directory" at the turn of the century. In the review of the previous season contained in the volume for 1902-1903 the Coniston Hunt laments (page 5) "Foxes are scarce in places." In their description of their country later in the volume (page 64) we learn that "The Coniston have for neighbours : on the North the Blencathra; on the West the Eskdale; and on the East the Ullswater. On the South the country is not hunted, and there is no boundary to the Coniston on that side. The hounds used to hunt a long way down and have only ceased to do so owing to the dearth of foxes." By the time of the Coniston entry in "Baily's Hunting Directory" for 1909-1910 the "dearth of foxes" must have been rectified. It is no longer referred to and instead we learn that for the Coniston (page 48) "on the S. the country is hunted as far as Kendal and Cartmel Fell."

As well as importing foxes the native animals could also be encouraged to thrive by the creation of nice cosy artificial earths. This practice, whilst very common amongst lowland hunts (supporters of the Thurlow foxhounds operating near Newmarket have created at least 31 artificial earths), is not so well documented in the Fells. However there is evidence that artificial earths are used in the Fells. In fact one of the largest believed to exist in the UK is located in Blencathra hunt country at Millbeck, not far from the hunt kennels. This is the quaintly named "Porter's Parlour". Hounds magazine for November 1993 in an article "Spring Hunting In The Cumbrian Fells" reported a Wednesday meet for the Blencathra from Lonsdale Crag in the course of which a fox was marked to ground in "Porter's Parlour". The author then elaborates:

"Now I would have attempted the short climb to where they were digging, but a very interesting Mr John Gregg came and spoke to me and told me the history of "Porters Parlour". It is the largest man-made borran ever known, built about 30 years ago by Ronnie Porter."

League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) investigators visited this site in the autumn of 1996 and again in the spring of 1997. Much of the artificial earth complex has been wrecked by forestry operations but enough remains to provide a veritable safe haven for foxes. Located in a hillside overlooking a small stream the maze of tunnels and chambers extends over an area of some 150 yards by 50yards. There are tunnels carefully constructed using the stones from fallen walls. There are glazed pipes and brick-built chambers. An immense amount of time and money must have been consumed in creating this breeding facility for foxes. It is strange that it should have been created in Blencathra Hunt country as there never appears to have been a shortage of foxes in the locality. The same volumes of "Baily's Hunting Directory" in which the Coniston complain of a "dearth of foxes" have the Blencathra reporting (page 49) "Foxes are wild and numerous."

There is no doubt that artificial earths are built to raise the fox population. The late Duke of Beaufort was clear about this in his book "Fox-hunting" published in 1980 : "In countries where earths are scarce it is sometimes found necessary to make artificial earths, to provide somewhere for local foxes to have their cubs : in other words for breeding purposes." (FH page 141)

There is also some evidence in the literature of foxes also being reared for release by hunting enthusiasts. Richard Clapham in "Foxhunting on the Lakeland Fells" (1920) described an encounter with seven foxes : "I once spent several days watching and photographing seven young foxes~six dogs and a vixen~which were being reared to maturity in a kennel." (FLF page 40) After describing the behaviour of these young foxes he adds : "As these cubs were to be eventually turned down, they were in no way petted, and never became really tame. The wilder they are before being given their liberty the better, from a hunting point of view." (FLF pages 41-42) The practice of rearing foxes cannot have been uncommon for the Lakeland hunting enthusiast. Richard Clapham on the same page as above elaborates : "I once paid a visit to four well-grown cubs in a roomy dog kennel, which was divided down the centre by iron railings. The lower half of this partition was covered with wire netting, and the cubs when at play used to fly up the wire and squeeze themselves through the bars above. They would repeat the exercise again and again, appearing to thoroughly enjoy it." (FLF pages 42-43)

NUMBERS OF FOXES KILLED BY HUNTS.

It is clear from hunting records that the Fell packs killed few foxes during the last century, more at the beginning of this century, hit a peak in the 1920s and have maintained similar levels to the present day. In his book "Sport on Fell, Beck and Tarn" Richard Clapham gives his source of information regarding the annual fox tallies "Joe Bowman, the famous huntsman of the Ullswater, has often told the writer that when he first began to carry the horn with that pack in the 'seventies, seven brace of foxes was considered a good total for the season. Times have changed since then, however, for last season (1922-23) the Ullswater accounted for forty brace, thus establishing a record." (SFBT page 25) The reference to the "'seventies" is of course to the 1870's.

Joe Bowmans biggest bag appears to have been the 1903 season when he killed 118 foxes, including 48 cubs. This was regarded as such an extraordinary figure that it provoked a local Kendal journalist, a keen sportsman himself, to suggest in the county paper that he must have been importing foxes from Germany! (RJB page 90)

In the "Review of the Fox-hunting Season" in "Baily's Hunting Directory 1902-1903" the Coniston reported (page 5) hunting 41 days from which they "Found 26 foxes, killed 10, holed 6, and 1 banked in dangerous crag." In the volume of "Baily's" for the following year the Blencathra reported (page 2) killing 67 foxes. The hunt author added (page 3) "It has been the worst season the Hon. Secretary has known for foxes stealing and killing lambs in Wythburn, Borrowdale, Newlands and several other parts of our hunting country. Foxes are very plentiful. A mangy fox has never been seen in this district, except one, and no doubt it had come from the south."

Whilst the Blencathra were killing 67 foxes that season their neighbours the Coniston were having a tough time of it. They hunted on 37 days and reported (page 6) "Killed perhaps half a dozen foxes; the end of some runs doubtful. A bad scenting season, with very few decent days. Foxes were difficult to find, but scent being so bad some may have been missed. No mange so far as is known. The worst season ever known."

In the seasons review in the following year ("Baily’s Hunting Directory 1904-1905") the Blencathra hunted 92 days and killed 82 foxes (page 2). It was described as a good scenting season with foxes "moderately plentiful" and "no mange". For their neighbours the Coniston that season was totally different. "Hounds were able to hunt on very few days as storms on high fells were almost continuous. Hunting was stopped about two days out of three by gales, frost or fog. Very few foxes were killed; the end of many runs was uncertain.......Foxes are plentiful in some parts of the country; in others scarce. Mange has lately made its appearance here. The mangy foxes seen did not look like foxes bred in this country. The worst season the Master can recollect. The hardship on the fells was no trifle, and very few people cared to go out with hounds." (Baily’s 1904-1905 page6)

A year later in the season reviewed in "Baily's Hunting Directory 1905-1906" the Blencathra killed 65 "full grown foxes" (page 2) and were still able to report "Foxes are plentiful." The Coniston though were still dogged by a shortage of quarry. "The supply of foxes is rather short. Mange has not been heard of this year." (page 5)

By 1920 Richard Clapham in "Foxhunting on the Lakeland Fells" was attributing an annual tally of between 30 and 50 foxes per pack which could be exceeded such as the 1918-19 season when the Ullswater killed 70 foxes (FLF page 76). By the time of a review of the 1926-1927 season published in "The Hunting Diary 1927-28" little had changed for the Blencathra from 1905. They killed 62 foxes and marked 10 to ground. However for the Coniston there had been a dramatic change. "Both sport and scent were very good, and it was one of the best seasons in the history of the hunt, which was established 102 years ago. To the concluding day, May 12, hounds had killed 25 brace of foxes [i.e. 50 foxes]. The best run was had on March 21 from Easdale, in Grasmere, to Wasdale head, lasting seven hours and covering the roughest country in the Lake District, including Bowfell, Scawfell and Great Gable, and killing in Wastwater Lake at 8p.m." (pages 157-158)

SHEEP KILLED BY HOUNDS.

This is the unspoken topic amongst foxhunting enthusiasts in the Lake District but there are references to it in the literature. In his classic work published in 1920 Richard Clapham writes : "There is one temptation to which fell hounds are more liable to fall than low-country hounds, i.e. sheep worrying. It may be a wild, windy day, and hounds are on a catchy scent, and eager to be pushing on. No one is near them, and perhaps a young hound happens to view a solitary Herdwick sheep scurrying off. He gives chase, pulls down the sheep, and his example may be followed by several others. When this happens the huntsman is reluctantly forced to put down the culprits, no matter how short of hounds he may be at the time.

Although, luckily, such a contretemps as the above seldom happens, it is always liable to happen with certain young hounds. Death is the only cure for a hound which takes a liking to mutton on the hoof, for he can never be thoroughly trusted afterwards." (FLF pages 59-60)

Skelton refers to sheep killing by the Ullswater pack : "In 1908 there was almost an epidemic of sheep-worrying amongst hounds. How it started is not known, but the Ullswater hounds were smitten like the rest. There was nothing for it but to pocket sentiment, deal out the most drastic treatment, and destroy the guilty (and, which is often but too true, some of the innocent). One of the quietist hounds amongst sheep that ever ranged a mountain breast, Towler, a worthy descendant of Old Towler and almost as clever, was embroiled in the excitement, and was one of the ill-fated nine to pay the extreme penalty for indiscretion." (RJB page 101)

FUN IN THE OLD DAYS.

It is clear from the literature that Fell hunting in the old days was an occasion for riotous fun. Skelton recounts how Joe Bowman has promised to do his best to procure a live fox as a pet for a supporter. Following an Easter Monday meet at Howtown the hounds drove their fox to earth in Swarthfell. After considerable working the fox was drawn alive and Joe acquired a sack for it. Sadly when the fox was dropped in it escaped through a hole in the bottom! The hounds were released again and the fox killed some 50 minutes later on Swarthfell. (RJB page 118) Skelton goes on to recount an earlier illuminating incident:

"In Abe Pattinson's days a similar joke was played at Howtown~this time against the huntsman. A fox had been so desperately run that he took refuge in a stick heap and was secured alive by J. Waugh and Atty Grisdale, who took it to Howtown Hotel. Several of the hounds had been kennelled and the huntsman was returning home with the remainder. Prompted by that spirit of devilment which reigns eternal in the hunter's breast, the two natives liberated their "bagged" fox at the back door of the hotel, and he immediately stole off in the direction of Steel End. Someone, however, acquainted Abe with what had occurred and he immediately cast off the remaining hounds afresh, and before the lapse of half-an-hour they had run reynard down. Shortly before being run down the fox turned and pluckily faced the leading hound with bared fangs but found the odds too great." (RJB pages 118-119) Abe Pattinson was the huntsman for the Ullswater from the creation of the pack in 1873 to 1879.

References in the hunting literature make it clear that hunting foxes with hounds, far from being an integral necessity to sheep farming is in fact a bit of social frivolity tacked on to it. "Dalesman" put it in its true context in his contribution "Sporting Life In A Cumberland Dale" included in "The Badminton Magazine of Sports & Pastimes JULY-DEC 1911" : "Sheep farming is, of course, the staple industry of the dales, and in connection therewith are various sports and junkettings. In the autumn there are shepherds’ meets at various specified centres where sheep which have strayed from different districts are returned to their owners. This business being transacted there comes pleasure. A fox hunt and a dance are usually the great social functions of a shepherds’ meet." (BMSP 1911 page 490)

FELL HUNTS AND THE BOLTING OF FOXES.

Hunted foxes often elude the hounds at the end by seeking sanctuary underground. How they are then treated casts an interesting light on the local perception as to whether they are really pests. They could simply be left alone. They could be killed underground by "hard" terriers. They could be bolted to be killed by bolting them into nets, bolting to be shot, or bolting followed by immediate release of the pack (i.e. giving the fleeing fox no "law".) Finally they could be bolted to be hunted in which the fox is given a degree of "law", i.e. a headstart.

For the lowland packs where the quality of the sport is the prime consideration it is the usual practice to give a bolted fox a fair amount of "law". What about the fell packs where the chief consideration is claimed to be pest control?

Skelton mentions an incident at one of the early Ullswater hunts under Mr Marshall's Mastership, probably in the autumn of 1910, when the pack split and marked two foxes to ground in a borran in Grey Crag. "Terriers were sent in, each fox was drawn in succession, given the usual law, and rolled over in the open~both big dog foxes." (RJB page 67) Later during the First World War at a time when Joe Bowman resumed as huntsman, probably in 1917, Skelton refers to a meet of this pack in the Longsleddale valley at which over 300 were present. The hounds drove their fox to ground in Little Buckbarrow Crag. "He refused to bolt and was drawn by that keen sportsman, Billy Dawson, given the usual law, and run into in the open." (RJB page 80).

In recent years the whole question of terrier work has come under close scrutiny. The Masters of Fox Hounds Association in belated recognition that terrier work is the most unsavoury and despised aspect of fox hunting and more than four decades after a Government enquiry recommended the abolition of ‘bolting foxes for further hunting’, now claims that its Codes of Practice forbid such bolting. The hunting lobby also claims that these days, terriers entered into the refuge of a hunted fox, do not actually attack the fox, but merely ‘bay’ at it so that the hunt’s terrier-men can determine where to dig for the fox.

However, Fell packs come under the supervision of the Central Committee of Fell Packs and not the MFHA, and the use of ‘hard’ terriers to battle with foxes which have escaped underground from the hounds, and to bolt foxes for further hunting, are still the normal practice. Hence the following account by journalist Adam Nicolson of an incident after a fox had been hunted into a rocky refuge by the Blencathra Fox Hounds (Sunday Telegraph magazine, 17th August 1997)

"From above ground we could hear terrible fighting below us. The screaming of dog and fox was only partly muffled by the layers of earth and rock that separated us from it. The noise moved for about ten minutes around different parts of the earth and then went quiet. The huntsman, the whipper-in and the followers stood listening in silence as a lark rose from the moorland grasses round us.

Then the huntsman said, "All right, that’s us then," and headed back downhill. It was just before nine in the morning. "But what about your dog?" I said to the terrier man as we walked down. "Oh," he said, "that’s all right. It’ll either be dead and the fox will be eating it, or the fox’ll be dead and she’ll be eating the fox. Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll be back home in a couple of days, once she’s slept the whole thing off."

A LACS investigator who infiltrated Cumbria hunts for several seasons as a follower, reported in 1997:

"If a fox is found above ground, it will almost always head for some underground refuge which, contrary to those in lowland areas, is unlikely to be stopped (blocked-up to prevent foxes entering). The eager terrier-men then move in to evict the fox so that it can be chased again. Despite the claims that fell packs are there solely to kill foxes, the use of the humane killer to kill the fox immediately is an extreme rarity. On one occasion I saw a fox bolted five times before being killed by hounds, even though when the fox was first encountered it was clearly visible and in easy reach just a few inches below ground."

This report of repeated bolting to extend the ‘sport’ is supported by accounts submitted to local newspapers by the hunters themselves. ‘Trimbush’, writing in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, 7th January 1996, reported on the activities of his hunt, the Ullswater Fox Hounds:

"The hounds marked a fox in by the sheep pens. Bolted, it ran the fields to cross the road at the pencil mill bridge, then ran by Leeming Farm to mark to ground at Horrockwood Farm.

After being bolted, it ran around the farm to go in again. Bolted a third time, it headed over the road to Leeming House Hotel, then ran the fields to the Outward Bound Centre where hounds checked.

They righted themselves to hunt back over the road and circle Gowbarrow Hall. They then crossed on to the Knotts and ran down to Knotts Farm to mark in a drain.

Bolted, the fox managed to gain a minute at the fence and just got to ground again in front of the hounds at Horrockwood Farm. He was accounted for late in the afternoon."

THE ULLSWATER FOXHOUNDS.

The Ullswater Foxhounds hunt an area in the centre and north of the Lake District. They date back to 1873 when the Baldhow and Patterdale hounds united to form a new pack with kennels at Patterdale Hall. Lord Lonsdale, the 'Yellow Earl' was at the head of the list of subscribers to the new hunt. The Ullswater are regarded as being a typical fell pack. Their early successes at killing foxes are a matter of historical record. The following figures are taken from "Reminiscences of Joe Bowman" by W.C. Skelton published in 1921.

In the third season (1875-76) 35 foxes were killed and seven marked to ground.

In 1876-77 36 foxes were killed.

The following season 1877-78 the assistant secretary reported that only 17 foxes were killed. He explained this as follows : "The reason, he says, why these hounds have not enjoyed their usual killing sport this season was attributable to a combination of evils : "Misty, catchy, and bad-scenting days, a greater proportion of wintry and dangerous hunting weather in the high ranges of their country, a larger number of foxes after capital runs getting into strongholds whence ejection was impossible; but by far the greatest misfortune is the unscrupulous and, it is feared uncontrolled raid by gamekeepers and trappers on the vulpine race. Would that the golden maxim 'live and let live' might reign more conspicuously in the minds of this sporting country, and that the noble taste for the hounds and the horn could in a fuller degree be engrafted in the hearts of the rising generation!" (RJB pages 23-24)

In 1878-79 19 foxes were killed, one less than the number of hounds killed! These hounds were lost "by falling over precipices, killed on the railway, lost in old coal pits, and accidentally drowned." (RJB page 27)

In the 1880-81 season 29 foxes were killed. (RJB page 32)

THE ULLSWATER FOXHOUNDS IN 1994.

Dennis Barrow, the Ullswater huntsman in 1994, had been huntsman since 1971. He has now been dismissed following a dispute that involved extraordinary allegations of misbehaviour and misconduct. In 1994 the hunt had "22 couple of fell hounds" i.e. 44 dogs. The hunt meets at least three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, usually starting at 9.30a.m. and frequently continuing until darkness. The day length varies according to time of year but it is fair to assume an average of 7 hours hunting per day i.e. 21 hours a week.

How successful are they? How cruel are they? What fun do they give to those that follow them? To try and provide some answers I took a close look at the reported activities of the hunt during 1994. This encompasses parts of two hunting seasons, the second part of the 1993-94 season and the first part of the 1994-95 season.

I analysed the reports of meets published by the hunters themselves in the media. 1994 commenced on New Year's day with what their columnist "Larkspur" regarded as a "remarkable days hunting". From the meet at the Traveller's Rest Inn at Glenridding it wasn't long before one fox was found then another and another. The pack split into at least three separate units each of which killed their fox. Yet "Larkspur" tells us that "the best hunt of this busy day was yet to come." In this, two foxes were hunted but both escaped when darkness intervened. "After a truly hectic day's hunting with the pack hard at work all day, Dennis collected up the hounds and was only two short."

One of the Wednesday meets early in January ran into difficulties with snow in the Kentmere Valley. Dennis decided to hunt from the appropriately named Seldom Seen, Glencoyne. Hounds set off after one fox but lost it. Another fox was pursued and killed. A third hunt set off on a gruelling chase but disappeared into the unknown. "Larkspur" tells us: "Dennis called them back but at least ten hounds were still out as darkness closed in. Some were reported at Knott Houses and most returned to the kennels that night with the final result of the hunt unknown." This current disdain for missing hounds contrasts sharply with the responsibility that was displayed in earlier years. Richard Clapham in his classic 1920 work states : "Even he [the huntsman] gets tired at times, but if it is humanly possible he will get all his hounds back to kennels before dark, or, at any rate, the same night." (FLF page 87)

On Feb 4th "Larkspur" tells us of a meet at Moor End, Troutbeck. From this "the hounds were taken to try the big Rooking Plantations which, as usual, were full of foxes." The hunting scribe complains that the foxes made it difficult for the hounds "as usually they run around in circles." For whatever reason, although at least three separate hunts developed no foxes were killed that day.

February 1994 appears to have been a bad month for the Hunt. Although two foxes were killed from the meet at Rookin Farm, Hutton John at least two or three more escaped. Then two planned meets at Hilton and Longsleddale had to be abandoned due to the weather.

From the meet on Saturday February 19th at Middale Farm, Longsleddale "Larkspur" boasts of "By far the best hunt of the season." The hounds set off after what was "probably a visiting dog fox". They pursued him hither and thither and a lot of hounds separated from the pack. Did they catch him? Who knows? "Larkspur" reports: "Dennis and whipper-in Graham Bland had a major job collecting up and neither returned home until late in the evening. Some hounds remained outside all night."........"Where the hounds actually finished or whether they had caught their fox, nobody could really say."

In fact more is known about what happened that day than can be gleaned from "Larkspur's" account. LACS investigators were following those hounds that very day! "Larkspur" reports "a tremendous turnout of followers greeted Dennis at Longsleddale." LACS investigators, perhaps used to the turnout at lowland hunts where the riding is popular and the riders have their friends along in cars, reported that the crowd was small. Still, "Larkspur" was right to call them "followers" rather than "supporters". The LACS monitors found a noticeable divergence of opinion about the activities of the hunt between the elderly followers who seemed to lap it all up and the young lads with their terriers and lurchers out from the cities who seemed more intent on monitoring the CB radio transmissions from the hunt staff in the hope of picking up on any foxes that the formal pack left unhunted.

(It is worthy of mention that hare-coursing clubs are wary these days of strangers not so much because they fear them to be antibloodsport activists but more because they fear them to be lurcher lads who will return to the fields after the Club has gone home and lamp the remaining hares.)

These young lurcher/terrier lads had nothing but contempt for the old guard hunters and openly voiced their opinions. With their combination of terriers and lurchers they probably kill far more foxes than the formal hunt ever does.

The idea of the hunt as the LACS investigators saw it seemed to be to let the hounds go and then send observers to the highest points ahead, armed with CB radios, and have them report on what was happening. The role of the hunt staff appeared to be to coordinate the radio transmissions and cadge lifts from the supporters in order to keep in vague contact with their hounds. This was radio controlled hunting!

Late in the afternoon was observed a truly curious sight on the margins of Haweswater reservoir. One of the hunt staff clutching his CB radio and binoculars was doing his best to control his hounds that were faint specks in the mist on the far side of the reservoir.

On April 9th "Larkspur" recounts yet more antics by his beloved pack. One fox escaped when it was inadvertently headed by a large party of fell walkers. Hounds returned and were in sight of their kennels when another fox popped up. The ensuing hunt was labelled as "dramatic". Fox and dogs disappeared into really thick fog "and the followers could only listen to the hounds". "Larkspur" is graphic: "It was quite a dramatic finish as 24 hounds got stuck in terrible weather conditions. Despite all the efforts of Dennis and whipper-in Graham Bland they were left all night. They were quite safe as long as they did not try to move. Dennis and Graham finished at 8.30 p.m. and the mountain rescue team and others got them safely down the following day." The new 1994-95 season started off in much the same way. At the end of October "Larkspur" reports the meet at Hilton from which two foxes escaped. Then there was the Wednesday meet at Walloway Farm from whence the hounds were taken to the notorious Rooking Plantations that are regarded as being "full of foxes". After drawing there earlier in the year 3 foxes escaped the dogs. The canine side fared little better this time with the vulpines winning the contest two nil.

If the meet reports are characterised by anything it is the haphazard nature of the whole affair. The theme of fun is ever present and the social side of the meets is often mentioned. "Larkspur" tells us: "Mr and Mrs Taylforth gave hunters splendid hospitality...................Mr Edmondson and his family made sure that a pretty good turnout had ample refreshment............On Monday, followers of the Ullswater pack gathered at Home Farm, Patterdale, where they were warmed by drinks provided by Mike Beatty."

 

As I state at the beginning, I am not going to get involved in the political and animal rights arguments as regards foxhunting but it is true that in the past many of our Ullswater ancestors would have had no scruples about following the hounds, indeed my mother states that my grandfather whilst not actively participating, enjoyed following the hunt as an active recreational activity. "Jake"