What Is Fox Hunting?
River Hills Foxhounds is an organized pack of private foxhounds supported by a  
limited group of subscribers. The River Hills Foxhounds territory encompasses the
farm and forestland in southern Lancaster County and southwestern Chester
County. The Hunt would not be a success without the kind generosity of the
landowners. River Hills Foxhounds underlying principle is to further goodwill and
interest in safe fox hunting with a well-prepared staff and pack of hounds.

Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking,
chase, traditionally a red fox, by trained
foxhounds ( scent hounds), and a group of
followers led by a master of foxhounds, who
follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.

Fox hunting originated in its current form in the
United Kingdom in the 16th century, but is
practised all over the world, including Australia,
Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, and the
United States.

The sport is controversial, particularly in the UK,
where bans were introduced for Scotland in 2002,
then for England and Wales in November 2004.
Proponents see it as an important part of rural
culture, useful for conservation and pest control,
while opponents argue that it is cruel and
unnecessary.

The use of scent hounds to track prey dates back
to Assyrian, Babylonian, and ancient Egyptian
times, and is known as venery. Many Greek- and
Roman-influenced countries have long traditions
of hunting with hounds. Hunting with Agassaei
hounds was popular in Celtic Britain, even before
the Romans arrived, with their Castorian and
Fulpine hound breeds which they used to hunt.
Norman hunting traditions were brought to
Britain when William the Conqueror arrived,
along with the Gascon and Talbot hounds.
History about fox hunting:
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Commonly Used Terms:
AWAY – A fox has “gone away”
when he has left covert. Hounds are
“away” when they have left covert
on the line of a fox.

BRUSH – A fox’s tail is always
called a brush.

CAST – (n) A planned move in
searching for a line (trail) or (v) to
make a cast. Hounds may cast
themselves, or the Huntsman may
cast them.

CHECK – (n) An interruption of the
run caused by hounds losing the
line. Iv) Hounds check when they
lose the line temporarily

COUPLE – 1. (n) Two hounds, (any
sex), for convenience in counting. 2.
(n) A device for keeping two hounds
attached to each other for
convenience in control or training.
3. (v) To attach two hounds
together by use of couples.

COVERT – (pronounced “cover “) –
A patch of woods or brush where a
fox might be found.
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FAQ:
How can I become a member?
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What kind of hounds
do you hunt with?
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What do you wear hunting?
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