Hunting Traditions of Different Counties of England

Hunting Traditions of Different Counties of England. Features of hunting in England and the best places for it. Popular hunting traditions of different countries. Description of traditions and their influence on the hunting culture of England.

Mar 18, 2025 - 16:07 Updated: Mar 31, 2025 - 08:43

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Hunting Traditions of Different Counties of England

England is a place where hunting becomes an art. Here, all true hunters know the history of this activity, use unique methods of hunting game, and respect nature and its inhabitants. In addition, they observe dozens of traditions that appeared many years ago and were passed down from generation to generation. Each country in England has its hunting traditions. Most of them have a centuries-old history, and today are a link between the past and the present. Below are descriptions of some of the hunting traditions popular in different countries of England.

Yorkshire

This county in the north of England is one of the most popular places for hunting. It is famous for its heather moorland with various games and numerous hunting grounds. In Yorkshire, they respect history and do not forget about existing traditions. Most of them were invented many years ago and are observed by many hunters today. Fox hunting with hounds is the central tradition of the county. It appeared in Yorkshire at the end of the 15th century, when the first such event was held. Fox hunting is prohibited today, so alternative options such as trail-hunting and drag-hunting are used. They provide an opportunity to continue ancestors' traditions without violating English laws. Red grouse hunting is also considered traditional in Yorkshire. This bird lives in considerable numbers in the heather moorland and becomes easy prey even for beginners. The use of dogs and horses in hunting is another famous Yorkshire tradition, the roots of which go back to the Middle Ages. To support this, hunting communities organize special events where they demonstrate methods of using animals to hunt a variety of game.

Norfolk

This county in the east of England attracts attention with its exciting hunting and its numerous traditions. They have been observed for centuries and remain relevant even in the 21st century. Like Yorkshire, Norfolk's main tradition is fox hunting. It appeared in 1534 when farmers used dogs to chase these predators to protect their animals from attack. Later, this method of hunting became a popular Norfolk tradition, which is still observed today. Due to legislative restrictions, its modern version involves chasing not live foxes but their tracks, which hunters leave for dogs using the predator's skins and urine. Such events are held even in the dark, using various night vision devices. Among other Norfolk traditions, the use of animals in hunting stands out. In addition to the aforementioned dogs, they can be horses and even birds of prey. Falconry is held in the county every year. This event brings together many interested people and allows seeing traditional methods of hunting game.

Devon

This county in the southwest of England is known for its diverse landscape. It has forests, bogs, meadows and small mountains. All these places are home to various games, so hunting in Devon is traditionally considered one of the primary forms of entertainment. Since ancient times, the county has created ideal conditions for deer habitat. That is why hunting them has become a local tradition. Today, ancient methods are used to hunt deer, which have been modified and adapted to modern hunting laws. Hunting with hounds is another Devon tradition. Despite various restrictions, it has a long history and remains an integral part of the local culture. Dogs for this activity are bred in special kennels and trained using the same methods as many centuries ago. Also, the county residents like to use traditional clothing for hunting. Like many years ago, it was sewn from natural materials and has the same design as in the Middle Ages.

Hampshire

This county in the south-east of England attracts the attention of hunters from all over the UK. Thanks to favorable climate conditions and many natural locations, many game species live on its territory, which even a novice can get. Hampshire has ancient hunting traditions. Here, their observance is an obligatory part of any hunt. Historically, there have always been many roe deer in Hampshire. Hunting for them is considered the main traditional activity. These animals live in all parts of the county today, so finding them is extremely easy. Hunting with animals is another important tradition of Hampshire. Every year, hunting communities organize large-scale events that involve the use of dogs, horses and falcons. Also, do not forget that Hampshire is home to a large population of muntjac. This tiny deer was brought from Asia and adapted to local conditions. Today, it lives in large numbers in the county and hunting for it is one of the new traditions.

Somerset

This county in the southwest of England is known for its agricultural activity and unlimited hunting opportunities. Most of its territory is occupied by meadows, fields, valleys and wetlands. Such a landscape is ideal for hunting small animals and birds. Hunting traditions in Somerset are an essential part of the local culture. They unite people and help maintain a connection with the past. The main tradition of the county is partridge hunting. People breed birds in captivity, especially for this activity, and then release them into the wild in some suitable place. Most often, there are various hunting grounds where anyone can try their luck and get a few partridges. Pheasants are a backup option. They are also explicitly bred for hunting. Another important tradition of Somerset is the performance of special rituals before the hunt. It is believed that such actions will attract good luck and demonstrate respect for wildlife and its inhabitants. Each hunting community has its traditional rituals that they must perform before picking up a gun. Some of the nuances of some of them are even forbidden to be told to people who are not community members.

Kent

This county in the south-east of England is known for its diverse landscape and favorable conditions for game. Its territory includes plains, rock formations, forests, and swamps, perfect for various animals. Hunting them is a favorite pastime of residents. In Kent, people honor the traditions of their ancestors and make every effort to preserve them. For this, the hunting community holds various events every year, showing the younger generation the hunting methods of their ancestors and their rituals. The main tradition of Kent is hunting with dogs. They are bred and trained specifically for this activity as they wanted it many years ago. Falconry is another tradition of the county. It appeared many years ago and became an essential part of the culture for residents. Today, it is held solely to demonstrate ancient methods of hunting game. Relatively recently, the tradition of hunting festivals appeared in Kent. These events attract thousands of people and provide an opportunity to learn many interesting things about the history of hunting, have fun, participate in various competitions, see an exhibition of hunting dogs, and try delicious dishes from the game they hunt.

Conclusion

England is the best place for hunting. Here, ancient traditions are not just a useless ritual but an essential part of the event. They connect many generations of hunters and, each time, remind people of the need to preserve their history. Today, by observing these traditions, the English show respect for their favorite pastime and ancestors, thanks to whom hunting remains popular even in the 21st century.