Poaching

Poaching 1

What is Poaching? Poaching is the illegal trapping and hunting of animals such as deer, hares, pigeons etc.

Before 1750 - Forbidden by contradictory laws in the 14th Century.

Why Poach?

Some poachers did it for a profit by supplying food to the black market. - The black market came about because it became illegal to trade game.
•Some people poached to provide food for their family.

The Aristocracy

Saw poaching as an attack on their own right and as an invasion of their property.
Owned the game so they believed they were the only ones who could hunt.

Punishments

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After 1750 - Why Poach? Need& Greed

Need

Lots of rural poverty
Enclosure movement of 18th Century deprived people of land --> many became labourers. --> Wages were low, diet was worse. ---> Poaching
Poachers thought of as HEROES, people rescued them from keepers and Police and intimidated people who took them to court.

Greed

Poaching could never be justified
Police & Estate owners thought there was no connection between Poverty and Poaching.
Thought profits spent in pubs instead of food. --> Many did.
Most poaching gangs in pubs
The gangs grew in size between 1830 and 1970.
Poaching became more tempting as Estate Owners were building up their game.

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Punishments

Authorities introduced a variety of man-traps and spring-guns - to kill, mutilate or break legs - DETERRENT
Punishments became worse
Longer time of imprisonment
Less fortunate, 1816, transported to Australia for 14 years.
Poaches hanged between 1750 and 1820 - especially for carrying a firearm or injuring a gamekeeper.
During 1830s man traps etc were made illegal.
ACT in 1883 allowed tennants to kill rabbits, hares and hares on their own farms - ending old game laws.
BUT law still heavy in poachers. Poaches still transported, or imprisoned up to 7 years.
POACHING PREVENTION ACT of 1862 - anyone suspected of poaching could be searched.
in 19th centurys, poaching treated more harshly than any other types of theft/

This shows that the views of poaching changed more slowly than many other forms of theft on property since 1750.

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