In England and Wales, the government's plans to outlaw trail hunting have led to an unusual phenomenon - people are volunteering to be chased by bloodhounds in a country pursuit known as clean-boot hunting. This activity has gained support from some former fox hunters and is even backed by the League Against Cruel Sports.
Proponents of this new form of hunting claim it's not about chasing humans, but rather following the scent of human trail runners across the countryside. The hunts use bloodhounds, which are trained to track specific scents, to chase down their prey. However, these hounds do not tear their quarry apart like foxhounds; instead, they follow closely behind until their energy is spent.
During a recent hunt in the New Forest, a reporter joined the pursuit and found themselves face-to-face with 40 bloodhounds. The experience was both exhilarating and intimidating as the hounds closed in, their wet snouts and slobbery jowls making it difficult to believe they posed a threat of being "eaten alive." However, upon closer inspection, the reporter realized that these dogs were harmless but incredibly skilled at following human scents.
As the hunt progressed, the journalist found themselves running through thick bracken, heather, and gorse, with no clear escape route. The hounds eventually caught up, but to their surprise, they only sniffed around them before losing interest. This experience showed that being hunted by bloodhounds was strangely exhilarating and far more thrilling than a typical run.
Clean-boot hunting has gained momentum in recent years as hunters look for alternatives to traditional fox hunting. While some critics argue that it's still an activity connected to animal-based pursuits, proponents see it as a way to preserve the traditions of country sports while avoiding controversy surrounding animal welfare.
As the hunt continued, the journalist reflected on their experience and realized that despite initial apprehensions, being chased by bloodhounds was not only exciting but also a unique form of cross-country running. With its ability to navigate rough terrain and track scents with uncanny accuracy, this activity is set to become an integral part of England and Wales's hunting culture in the near future.
Proponents of this new form of hunting claim it's not about chasing humans, but rather following the scent of human trail runners across the countryside. The hunts use bloodhounds, which are trained to track specific scents, to chase down their prey. However, these hounds do not tear their quarry apart like foxhounds; instead, they follow closely behind until their energy is spent.
During a recent hunt in the New Forest, a reporter joined the pursuit and found themselves face-to-face with 40 bloodhounds. The experience was both exhilarating and intimidating as the hounds closed in, their wet snouts and slobbery jowls making it difficult to believe they posed a threat of being "eaten alive." However, upon closer inspection, the reporter realized that these dogs were harmless but incredibly skilled at following human scents.
As the hunt progressed, the journalist found themselves running through thick bracken, heather, and gorse, with no clear escape route. The hounds eventually caught up, but to their surprise, they only sniffed around them before losing interest. This experience showed that being hunted by bloodhounds was strangely exhilarating and far more thrilling than a typical run.
Clean-boot hunting has gained momentum in recent years as hunters look for alternatives to traditional fox hunting. While some critics argue that it's still an activity connected to animal-based pursuits, proponents see it as a way to preserve the traditions of country sports while avoiding controversy surrounding animal welfare.
As the hunt continued, the journalist reflected on their experience and realized that despite initial apprehensions, being chased by bloodhounds was not only exciting but also a unique form of cross-country running. With its ability to navigate rough terrain and track scents with uncanny accuracy, this activity is set to become an integral part of England and Wales's hunting culture in the near future.
Like, who comes up with these crazy ideas for clean-boot hunting? It sounds like some sorta government experiment gone rogue! They're basically paying people to get chased by bloodhounds just so they can say "oh, look, we're preserving tradition!" 
But let's be real, it's all about the thrill of being hunted... and the government wants a piece of that action! 
And what's with the League Against Cruel Sports backing this? Sounds like a setup to me. 
They must have some ulterior motive, maybe they're trying to get us all hooked on this new "sport" so we forget about the real issues... like animal welfare, for instance. The fact that these bloodhounds don't tear their prey apart is just too convenient, if you ask me... 
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! I mean, who needs foxhounds when you can have 40 bloodhounds chasing you through the countryside? 
It's like a real-life video game out there! But seriously, I love how this activity is giving people a new way to connect with nature and challenge themselves physically. And yeah, it's definitely not about harming animals โ those hounds are just doing their job! 
. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to voluntarily get chased by dogs just for kicks? It's like saying, "Hey, let's go out and get mugged, but in a fun way!" 
Newsflash: getting chased by wild animals is not fun, it's terrifying! And don't even get me started on the whole "it's not about hunting humans" line. Come on, if you're gonna chase people with dogs, at least be honest about it! This whole thing just reeks of trying to spin a bad idea into something cool 
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I'm so stoked about clean-boot hunting 
I mean, it's not exactly hunting for sport anymore, right? 
More like a thrilling adventure in the great outdoors! 
The fact that these hounds are so skilled at following scents is wild 
. And can we talk about how hilarious their slobbery faces are 
? It's not just about the thrill of being hunted; it's also about preserving country sports traditions 
. I'm all for giving clean-boot hunting a try 
! Who knows, maybe I'll even start running with bloodhounds soon 
clean-boot hunting might just become a thing... 
and who knows, maybe it'll even get more popular? 
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. Can't we just have some real-world problems to discuss for once? Geez... 
...
Either way, I'm not buying it. This whole thing smells like politics to me! 
. I can see why people would be drawn to this alternative hunting style... it's almost like a giant game of tag 
. Love how the journalist got up close and personal with the hounds, though 
The fact that they're using trained dogs that don't actually hurt anyone is super cool too. It's a win-win: people can still enjoy traditional country sports without worrying about animal welfare. #CleanBootHuntingForLife #BloodhoundChaseIsTheBest Chase #CountrySportsRebooted
But hey, if it's all about preserving traditional country sports and avoiding controversy, I guess it's got its perks 
. And omg the pics of those 40 bloodhounds closing in on the reporter were giving me LIFE 
!
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. As someone who loves running, I can see why this is more thrilling than your average jog 
! It's all about preserving country sports traditions while avoiding controversy around animal welfare, which is a great way to promote sustainability and respect for wildlife #CleanBootHunting #BloodhoundPower #SustainableSports