Why did foxhunting become less popular after World War I?

Following World War I, foxhunting faced significant challenges that diminished its status as a national pastime. While the sport reached a zenith of popularity prior to the war, the post-war era brought structural changes to rural life that made the traditional practice more difficult to sustain.1

Key factors contributing to this decline included:

• Changes in Landownership: The transition from large estates to numerous smallholdings altered the landscape, complicating the logistics of organized hunts.1
• Infrastructure Obstacles: The widespread introduction of barbed-wire fencing created physical barriers that hindered the traditional chase.1
• Economic and Social Hardships: The general hardships resulting from the World Wars disrupted the stability required for such an elaborate, resource-intensive sport.1
• Growing Opposition: Over time, the sport faced increasing public criticism based on concerns regarding animal cruelty.1

While these factors reduced its prominence, the sport persisted throughout the 20th century before facing further legislative restrictions in the early 21st century, such as the 2004 ban on killing wild mammals in hound-led hunts in England and Wales.1