Open field coursing is a form of hunting with hounds,
and, as with all forms of hunting in California, it is well-regulated by
the Department
of Fish and Game. For centuries, man has bred sighthounds to hunt fur-bearing
game using their keen eyesight and streamlined bodies to locate, follow
and capture the prey.
Is coursing legal in states other
than California?
To our knowledge (and we have done a lot of checking),
there are no states in the U.S. that specifically ban the use of dogs to
take hares. In some regions, the hare population is too low to permit any hunting
of hares. Hunters, including sighthound owners, back conservation
efforts and support each state's wildlife management
agency in the preservation of the health and diversity of wildlife. We
welcome anyone who knows of a state in which it is a crime to take hares
using hounds to let us know.
What is a sighthound?
Most hounds share the common ancestral trait of being
used for hunting. There are two types of hounds: those that hunt by scent
and those that hunt by sight. Scenthounds use acute scenting powers to
follow a trail, while sighthounds rely primarily on sight instead.
How long does a course last?
Courses run the range from a matter of a few seconds
to up to almost three minutes, but the average course is less than one
minute.
What’s the difference between a rabbit
and a "jackrabbit"?
In the United States, the most frequent game for sighthounds
is the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), which is
not a rabbit, but a hare. These similar-looking animals are profoundly
different
physiologically from each other.
Hares are born with open eyes, fully furred, and they can run within a
few minutes of birth. Rabbits are born blind, naked, and remain in a fur-lined
nest their first days of life. Hares are able to run at speeds and over
distances unparalleled for animals of such small size, while rabbits run
a very short distance to escape into burrows.
Are hares "planted" in
the field or released from cages?
The hare is hunted in its own natural habitat,
where it was born and has lived its entire life. Hares are neither
planted in fields nor released from cages – ever.
What do you do with the dead hares?
The hares which are caught are taken from the field when
the hunters leave. Some hunters prepare them for their own dinners, while
some hunters clean the hare and prepare it for their dogs.
Are jackrabbits a protected species?
Far from protected, the jackrabbit (hare) is considered
a pest species by the California Department
of Fish and Game. The
hare causes millions of dollars in damage to California crops each year.
Pest species such as rabbits and hares far outnumber predators, which explains
why they can
be found
in
almost
any
natural habitat.
Without
hunters,
farmers
often resort to poisoning, which not only means a slow, painful death for
the hare, but also poisons any animals that eat the dead hare.
See
Publication 7447 (PDF) from the University
of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program for
scholarly information on pests.
Are dogs specifically trained and
rewarded for tearing rabbits apart?
Sighthounds are neither trained nor encouraged to "tear
apart" the game they catch. They are not rewarded for tearing apart
game. Hunters prefer that game be brought back intact to be cleaned and
prepared for the table.
Is coursing an underground blood
sport?
Absolutely not. As previously mentioned, it is a type
of hunting that is perfectly legal in the states where it is practiced.
Hunters comply with state and regional regulations. Additionally, hunters
who participate in field trials must comply with the regulations of the
organization under which the trial is conducted.
Are sighthounds aggressive?
The notion that sighthounds are aggressive is factually
incorrect; most sighthound breeds possess gentle, stable temperaments yet
are also capable of great intensity during pursuits.
What is "prey drive"?
Prey drive is the instinctive behavior of a carnivore
to pursue and capture prey. Prey drive
should not be confused with aggressive behavior. All dog breeds have a
form of prey drive, and in many breeds the prey drive has been developed
into other characteristics – such as herding or retrieving.
Which natural predators kill hares?
Hares are prey to coyotes, foxes, birds of prey, bobcats,
mountain lions, snakes, and several other predators.
What is the typical length of a hare's
life?
According to Mammalian
Species (#530), published by the American
Society of Mammalogists, "in
California, mortality seems to be equally divided between sexes
(Lechleitner, 1959). In Idaho, mortality during the first year of life
was ca.
91% and ca. 98% by 3 years (Feldhamer, 1979). In Kansas, populations contained
71-82% young-of-the-year in autumn (Bronson and Tiemeier, 1958a). In Utah,
populations were comprised of 72-93% young-of-the-year in September and
October
(Gross et al., 1974). Under natural conditions, black-tailed jackrabbits
probably do not live >7
years (Haskell and Reynolds, 1947)" (Troy L. Best)