Hare coursing on tv (1970s)

[andyxxx]

I remember seeing this on a Saturday afternoon on national tv in the 70s and am fairly certain it was on a sports programme, probably at about the same time they aired the wrestling. (I was less than 10)

They released the hare shortly followed by the dog, and the only way the hare could win was to get through the hedge at the other side of the field that the dog couldn’t fit through. I don’t remember if I saw one caught.

Do I remember this correctly? - I know I saw it, but perhaps it was a documentary?

Can anybody else remember this?

[bigpriest]

No idea but I can imagine Fred Trueman presenting it as an add-on to his Indoor League series - "Now then".

[General Price]

The Waterloo Cup at Altcar was the biggest hare coursing event,don't remember it being on tv though.

[boxy but good]

Are you thinking of 'Jacks Game' ?
It was broadcast in the early '80s.

Type in 'Jacks Game Hare' into YT to see if it is the one you are thinking of.
Or did you see something from Jack Hargreaves many programmes ?
As previously mentioned, the Waterloo cup is the only other one that may have had a mention but, too specialised for a whole programme.

[oddman]

boxy but good said:

Are you thinking of 'Jacks Game' ?
It was broadcast in the early '80s.

That was beagling not coursing. ie. a pack of beagles hunting hare in its own environent rather than setting two greyhounds on a released captured hare.

Waterloo Cup is in the Pathe news archive

If you're into fieldsports, Jack's game is really good. He's a fine angler, a decent shot and a very good presenter.

[Randy Winkman]

I'm 57 years old and was an avid watcher of Grandstand and World of Sport in the 1970s. I was especially keen on the more obscure sports that the latter tended to show. eg, World fireman's championships and world lumberjack's championships. I don't remember hare coursing though. And I liked greyhound racing so I think I'd have noticed it. I guess it was on one of the other programmes that others have already mentioned.

[Fundoreen]

I remember now and again they showed some chap in a kilt dancing a jig over two crossed swords. I think it was on childrens tv lol.
Yo dont see it at all now. Consequently we now have the SNP.

[hepy]

I'm amazed no-one has mentioned 'dags' yet or 'proper fxxked'.

[NomduJour]

andyxxx said:

They released the hare shortly followed by the dog, and the only way the hare could win was to get through the hedge at the other side of the field that the dog couldn’t fit through. I don’t remember if I saw one caught.

That’s Irish-style park coursing.

[Punctilio]

Even in the 1970s I think the animal loving nature of UK TV viewers
would make this seem an unlikely item on a sports show, or a H/S/F
show like Out Of Town.

We think the OP had been smoking a bit of Old McQuirter's shag.

[Eric Mc]

NomduJour said:

andyxxx said:

They released the hare shortly followed by the dog, and the only way the hare could win was to get through the hedge at the other side of the field that the dog couldn’t fit through. I don’t remember if I saw one caught.

That’s Irish-style park coursing.

Which used to be featured on Irish TV in the form of a filmed report. They never covered it live (thank God).

[andyxxx]

I don't know then - it may remain a mystery.

I thought somebody must remember it hence the post.

[Fane]

NomduJour said:

That’s Irish-style park coursing.

As I'm too lazy to google it, what's the difference?

[NomduJour]

Closed field with escapes for the hares at the end, the hares are trained and released not put up by beaters.

[GT03ROB]

Pretty sure it would have been a documentary. I never recall seeing coursing on sports programmes.

My great uncle slipped the Waterloo Cup from the 30s to the 60s so I’m sure we would have watched.

[Midnight Toker]

I vaguely remember seeing it too. Probably B&W picture.

It was filmed from the top of a big fenced off field. The hare was chased all over by a dog or dogs and its only escape was via a small hole in the fence at the bottom.

[Roofless Toothless]

Fundoreen said:

I remember now and again they showed some chap in a kilt dancing a jig over two crossed swords. I think it was on childrens tv lol.
Yo dont see it at all now. Consequently we now have the SNP.

Sounds like he nearly got the SNIP