HUNTING, as practised among us, is chiefly performed with dogs; of which we have various kinds, accommodated to the various kinds of game, as hounds, gre-hounds, blood-hounds, terriers, &c. See CANIS, HOUND, &c.
In the kennels or packs they generally rank them under the heads of enterers, drivers, flyers, tyers, &c.
On some occasions, nets, spears, and instruments for digging the ground, are also required: nor is the hunting-horn to be omitted.
The usual chases among us, are the hart, buck, roe, hare, fox, badger, and otter.—We shall here give something of what relates to each thereof: first premising an explanation of some general terms and phrases, more immediately used in the progress of the sport itself; what belongs to the several sorts of game in particular, being reserved for the respective articles.
When the hounds then, being cast off, and finding the scent of some game, begin to open and cry; they are said to challenge. When they are too busy ere the scent be good, they are said to babble. When too busy where the scent is good, to barrel. When they run it endwise orderly, holding in together merrily, and making it good, they are said to be in full cry. When they run along without opening at all, it is called running mute.
When spaniels open in the string, or a gre-hound in the course, they are said to lapse.
When beagles bark and cry at their prey, they are said to yearn.
When the dogs hit the scent the contrary way, they are said to draw amisi.
When they take fresh scent, and quit the former chase for a new one, it is called hunting change.
When they hunt the game by the heel or track, they are said to hunt counter.
When the chase goes off, and returns again, traversing the same ground, it is called hunting the soil.
When the dogs run at a whole herd of deer, instead of a single one, it is called running riot.
Dogs set in readiness where the game is expected to come by, and cast off after the other hounds are passed, are called a relay. If they be cast off ere the other dogs be come up, it is called a vauntlay.
When, finding where the chase has been, they make a proffer to enter, but return, it is called a blemish.
A lesson on the horn to encourage the hounds, is named a call, or a reckeat. That blown at the death of a deer, is called the mort. The part belonging to the dogs of any chase they have killed, is the reward. They say, take off a deer's skin; strip or case a hare, fox, and all sorts of vermin; which is done by beginning at the snout, and turning the skin over the ears down to the tail.
HUNTING is practised in a different manner, and with different apparatus, according to the nature of the beasts which are hunted, a description of whom may be found under their respective articles, infra.
With regard to the seasons, that for hart and buck-hunting begins a fortnight after midsummer, and lasts till Holy-rood day; that for the hind and doe, begins on Holy-rood day, and lasts till Candlemas; that for fox-hunting begins at Christmas, and holds till Lady-day; that for roe-hunting begins at Michaelmas, and ends at Christmas; hare-hunting commences at Michaelmas, and lasts till the end of February; and where the wolf and boar are hunted, the season for each begins at Christmas, the first ending at Lady-day, and the latter at the Purification.
When the sportsmen have provided themselves with nets, spears, and a hunting-horn to call the dogs together, and likewise with instruments for digging the ground, the following directions will be of use to them in the pursuit of each sort of game.