9/3/2002: Landmark modified by pro-hunt group

A few weeks ago we had the family planning folks modifying the one English countryside site. Now a group of pro-hunt activists is modifying more of them.

It's interesting to USians, because the people who would be pro-hunt here are precisely the opposite of the type of activists who would use these kinds of destructive tactics. (Not including Tim McVeigh, whom I would put into a different class of activists: "insane".)

Brit pro-hunt protestors have also been engaged in "go-slow" actions, where they get on the local motorway and... go slow. Leading to remarkable congestion, disruption and inconvenience.

The folks who foxhunt in the UK are a very different batch of people from hunters in the US. But looking at the image this would appear to not be a permanent defacement; looks like they used powdered chalk or flour or something

What I want to know is...

What's that guy smoking?

From the design, I didn't get any particular message. And after UT said "hunter", I saw a dude with a duck call. And I still didn't get any particular message. Maybe they should think these things through a little more?

The Hunting Horn

The hunting horn is used by the Huntsman to give signals to the hounds and to the field.

The following are some of the more common calls to be heard on a drag hunt.

Gone Away - Normally one note of moderate length followed by six to eight quick notes, and repeat.

Stop Hounds - One single note of moderate length

Call hounds back to the Huntsman - One medium note, then a wail without pause.

All ON - One single short note repeated several times. This means that all hounds are accounted for. Often heard at a check and meaning that the hunt can now continue as no hounds are missing.

Going Home - A very long drawn out note.

And it may be interesting to note that some USians are really into it, too. There's even a breed of dog called the American Foxhound.

I think the message is that hunting is as much an english tradition/history as the landmark. Or maybe the pro hunting lobby are just a bunch of backwards morons incapable of making a clear statement. Take your pick.