So why do people enjoy hunting?
First thing is : it Is NOT because they are sadists.
Why is it then?
There are lots of reasons. Here are some of the main ones :
To ride a horse across open country :
Following a hunt on horseback gives you the chance to test your riding skill by following the hounds as they hunt the fox. You do not know where the hunt is going to go, but when it does you have to follow it, at break-neck speed, across whatever obstacles nature (or man) has put in your way. This challenge to both horse and rider is very exciting.
To gain access to parts of the countryside that you would not otherwise see :
The majority of hunting takes place on private land by permission of the Land Owners. Apart from those bits next to footpaths and bridleways, this land is mostly inaccessible to the public. If you follow a pack of hounds on a regular basis, you will get to know and understand the local countryside in great detail. There is virtually no other way of achieving this.
To participate in a worthwhile exercise :
Hunting people believe that Hunting plays a vital part in the management of the countryside. To people who share that belief, taking part in Hunting is as gratifying as taking part in any other sort of good work. Management and maintenance of the British countryside, which is the envy of the world, is hugely worthwhile.
To meet and socialise with friends and acquaintances.
Hunting is a very social activity. It unites people from all walks of life, and provides a venue for people from remote rural communities to meet on a regular basis. In many areas, fund raising for the local hunts provide the basis for a large proportion of the dances, dinners, parties and other social events in an area. For many rural people, their hunting friends are their main group of friends.
To watch hounds work :
Out hunting, you get to see the huntsman using his wisdom and experience to "out-think" the fox, and to help his hounds overcome their considerable disadvantages to catch their quarry. You might not be able to understand why anyone would want to watch this, but believe it or not, many people find it compulsively fascinating to watch a skilled man working in partnership with trained dogs. Still not sure? Then ask yourself why the BBC has been televising "One Man and his Dog" for over a quarter of a century, and why, then they proposed to shelve the series, it generated more letters of protest than any other programme in the history of the BBC.
I have listed and explained above five things that are enjoyable about hunting.
Any one of them on its own would be enough explain why an activity was enjoyable. With hunting you can enjoy all five at the same time.