Thursday, December 27, 2007

A lesson from the UK on hunting rights

The hot news story in Britain these days (at least on my radar screen) is about the effect of a 2005 law clamping down on the nation's traditional fox hunts.

The Hunting Act was designed to limit the hunts, but it's having an interesting effect, according to a story in yesterday's Telegraph of London: Fox hunts are getting more popular.

The piece popped up in my email inbox because it discusses the fact that women and children in particular are getting into the sport.

But that's not what jumped out at me when I read the story. Comments like these were the real point:

"An awful lot of people have been coming out, I think because they've had enough of the Government and would like to see the sport keep going rather than see it all fold." - Claire Bellamy, master and huntsman.

"Everything that gets banned seems to become popular." - Karl Creamer, master

Let's hope that's not what it takes to revive the popularity of hunting on this side of the pond.

But Britain's experience should serve as a lesson to those who would take away rights here: Be careful - you may not get the results you expect.

And the message to hunters? Don't take it quietly - make sure your voice is heard.

© Holly A. Heyser 2007

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