WHAT IS HARE HUNTING?

Hare hunting involves the pursuing of hares by a pack of harriers, beagles, or bassets with followers either on foot or on horseback. The Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles lists 71 current hare hunts that are still operating. Similar to the fox hunting season, hare hunting takes place between late August until March. However, whilst fox hunting takes place all over the country, hare hunting tends to be limited to certain areas and this is because hares stay within their territory. Hares spend the entirety of their lives above ground and so during the chase they do not seek safety underground like foxes do. This means they tend to stick to the area that they know and run in loops whilst being pursued by the hounds. Hare hunts can often last up to an hour with hares desperately doing everything they can to escape. Ultimately the hare being hunted will give up from exhaustion and be caught by the faster hounds before it is ripped to pieces.