Harrier hunting was the hunting of hare on horseback with a pack of hounds. It is similar to foxhunting and Beagling, in that the hounds hunt primarily by scent,
Popularity
Following the Hunting Act 2004 which banned (amongst other things) The hunting of Hares with dogs in England, Wales and Scotland. Since the ban, remaining Harrier packs have tended to hunt a drag scent. As they are too fast to hunt rabbit.
Location
Hunting Harriers is very much a winter activity (October to March) of the open countryside. Most commonly found in the large arable areas, where hares are considered a bigger pest than foxes.
Age
Young children are not encouraged,(although most hunts do have special children's days). There is no lower age limit, if a child or teenager is capable of safely handling a brisk gallop and some cross-country jumping, they will be welcomed.
Ability
To go hunting on horseback, and enjoy a days hunting, a rider needs to be a competent rider, able to jump and gallop across open country in the company of other excited horses.
Description
The huntsman's first job is to find a scent of either a hare or fox, by hunting the hounds, (zig-zagging) across the field, if the pack manages to pick up a scent, they will follow it in a chase wherein the dogs pursue the quarrey and the hunters follow. This often involves some very athletic skill on the part of both horse and rider. The hunt continues until either the quarrey evades the hounds, or is overtaken and usually killed by the hounds.
Dedication
The harrier (a giant beagle), and due to their much greater speed, over the Beagle can only really be safely hunted on horseback. Due partly to the countryside hunted and the fact hare are found in more open surroundings than foxes, Harrier hunting tends to be overall faster than fox hunting, more akin to drag hunting.
Potential
To many hunting fully satisfies both their sporting and social requirements, whilst to others it is a necessary qualification to another activity, and to yet others a way of enjoying riding over countryside that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Closely
Related Activities
Trail-hounding 210, Drag Hunting 220, Fox hunting 333, Bassets, Beagling 332 or Terriers, Hunter Trials, Point to Points 237 and many of the countryside field sports.
Cost
Traditional hunting costs vary between hunts. Most will allow you to attend for a single day at a cost of around £40. A full annual subscription costs from around £400. The hunting costs do not include the cost of hiring or maintaining and transporting your own horse.
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
 Energy |
| Arms
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| Legs
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| Sight
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| Hearing
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| Speech |
| Learning |
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