Being hunted by hounds is strangely exhilarating
5 days ago
- #hunting
- #bloodhounds
- #clean-boot hunting
- Increasing numbers of people are volunteering to be chased by bloodhounds in England and Wales, as traditional foxhunting faces bans.
- Clean-boot hunting, where bloodhounds chase human runners instead of animals, is gaining popularity and has support from both animal rights groups and former fox hunters.
- The New Forest Hounds (NFH) is one of 22 clean-boot hunts in the UK, switching from foxhunting to trail hunting and now to clean-boot hunting due to legal restrictions.
- Bloodhounds, despite their intimidating appearance, are friendly and do not harm their human quarry, unlike foxhounds.
- Participants in clean-boot hunts are advised not to shower or use deodorant to ensure their scent is strong for the hounds to track.
- The hunt involves running cross-country over challenging terrain, with hounds eventually catching the runners, proving their remarkable tracking abilities.
- The experience of being chased by hounds is described as exhilarating and more exciting than traditional running events like Parkrun.