Of Fox-Hunting.

January, February, and March, are the best Seasons for Hunting the Fox above Ground, the Scent being then strong, and the coldest Weather for the Hounds, and best finding his Earthing.  Cast off your sure Finders first, and as the Drag mends, more; but not too many at once, because of the Variety of Chaces in Woods and Coverts.  The Night before the Day of Hunting, when the Fox goes to prey at Midnight, find his Earths, and stop them with Black Thorns and Earth.  To find him draw your Hounds about Groves, Thickets, and Bushes near Villages; Pigs and Poultry inviting him to such Places to Lurk in.  They make their Earths in hard Clay, stony Grounds, and amongst Roots of Trees; and have but one Hole straight and long.  He is usually taken with Hounds, Grey-Hounds, Terriers, Nets and Gins.

Of Badger Hunting.

This Creature has several Names, as Gray Brock, Boreson, or Bauson; and is hunted thus.  First go seek the Earths and Burrows where he lieth, and in a clear Moon-shine Night, stop all the Holes but one or two, and in these fasten Sacks with drawing Strings; and being thus set, cast off your Hounds, and beat all the Groves, Hedges, and Tuffs within a mile or two about, and being alarm’d by the Dogs they will repair to their Burrows and Kennels, and running into the Bags, are taken.

Of the Martern or wild Cat.

These two Chases are usually hunted in England, and are as great Infesters of Warrens, as the two last mentioned Vermine, but are not purposely to be sought after; unless the Huntsman see their place of Prey, and can go to it; and if the Hound chance to cross them, sport may be had.  But no Rule can be prescribed how to find or hunt them.

Of the Otter.

This Creature useth to lye near Rivers in his Lodging, which he cunningly and artificially builds with Boughs, Twigs and Sticks.  A great Devourer of Fish.  It is a very sagacious and exquisitely Smelling Creature, and much Cunning and Craft is required to hunt him.  But to take him, observe this in short.  Being provided with Otter-Spears to watch his Vents, and good Otter-Hounds, beat both sides of the River’s Banks, and you’ll soon find if there is any.  If you find him, and perceive where he swims under Water, get to stand before him when he Vents, (i.e. takes breath) and endeavour to strike him with the Spear:  If you miss him, follow him with your Hound, and if they are good for Otter, they will certainly beat every Tree root, Bul-rush Bed, or Osier-Bed, so that he cannot escape you.

Of the wild Goat.