I think it's very sad that fox hunting is illegal in England, as it has done such a great job of supporting farmers and paying for land conservation, but the economy in ireland sure doesn't mind if all the fox hunters go over there for their sport. There is a chance that fox hunting may be reinstated in England, but it would be restricted in some fashion (I haven't read the proposed law).
I think that certain methods of hunting are both good and necessary. Even if there are problems or yahoos who don't follow the rules, I think the solution is to enforce the rules rather than ban necessary forms of hunting.
Forms I don't think are useful: Killing exotic or endangered animals. Killing of farm animals. Allowing hunting without requiring gun handling safety. Allowing hunting without revoking license for lifetime after carelessness causes accident or suffering of animal or other hunters.
I actually would like to see a form of deer hunting with shoot-to-kill until the populations are under control, and then after that, allow hunters to team with animal care/conservation workers, hunters can shoot animals with anaesthetic, and work with the team to vaccinate, treat diseases, perform health exams, do hoof care, and neuter males.
I would prefer having a fox dispatched for sure by the pack or escape clean away unscathed, rather than 'shot humanely' (which I think is an extremely funny phrase).
As for 'all those humans and one fox', if you watch the video, you'd see that all the people following the pack of hounds are not involved in the actual hunting of the fox. They're just watching. The huntsman and his assistants are working the hound pack and the hounds are doing the hunting.
(by "fox hunting"..i mean like they did in Britian with horses and dogs and running the animal down..)
