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Why is the goal of many hound-led hunts in the United States and Canada not to kill the quarry?

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A person wearing an orange vest and holding a shotgun walks through tall grass with a hunting dog ahead in a field with scattered trees. — hunting Bird hunting with a dog.

In the United States and Canada, the primary goal of hound-led hunts is not to kill the quarry because the emphasis of the sport is placed on the chase itself rather than the capture or death of the animal.1

While traditional foxhunting in other regions may culminate in a kill, the practice in North America has evolved to prioritize the pursuit. This shift in focus allows participants to enjoy the tradition and the performance of the hounds without the necessity of harming the wildlife involved.1