The Rise and Fall of Poaching in the Industrial Period

What happened to poaching in the industrial age?

Poaching, and the illegal hunting of animals, became increasingly common and was treated as a more serious crime in the industrial age.

What were the laws against poaching during the industrial period?

There were 3 key laws against poaching:

• ❖ The 1723 Black Act made hunting deer, hare or rabbits a capital crime. Anyone found armed, disguised, or with a blackened face in a hunting area could be prosecuted for poaching.
• ❖ Only landowners with land over the value of £100 a year could hunt. This was a huge sum and would have taken a labourer 10 years to earn. Anyone who owned land of less value, or rented land, was forbidden to hunt anywhere.
• ❖ Possessing dogs or snares that might be used for hunting was punishable by a £5 fine or 3 months in prison.

What caused the rise in poaching in the industrial period?

There were 4 main reasons why people poached:

• ❖ Most poachers were poor and some relied on poaching for food.
• ❖ A poacher might catch the odd rabbit or pheasant to supplement low wages.
• ❖ A minority of better-off poachers hunted for sport and entertainment.
• ❖ Many poachers would sell their haul on the black market and make large profits.

How did people react to harsh poaching laws in industrial Britain?

There were 3 main reactions to the harsh poaching laws:

• ❖ Many poachers formed poaching gangs who attacked gamekeepers.
• ❖ Villagers would provide an alibi for those accused of poaching.
• ❖ Many smaller landowners continued to hunt on their own land.

Why did poaching become less of a problem?

During the 19th century, the importance of poaching as a crime declined because of 3 main reasons:

• ❖ In 1823, the Black Act was repealed by Robert Peel.
• ❖ Poaching was still illegal but was no longer punishable by death.
• ❖ This caused a fall in social anxiety around poaching.