[Alex Murphy]

There has never been a prohibition against hunting for laymen. However, there is quite a controversial history concerning clerical hunting. The Council of Trent, for example, made the formal distinction between clamorous (clamorosa) hunting and quiet (quieta) hunting. (Session XXIV, 12). "Clamorous hunting" is forbidden to priests. However, "quiet hunting" is allowed.

Clamorous hunting likely refers to the large hunting parties that are sometimes associated with dogs, drinking, and lasciviousness. It is clear that this type of gathering would not be proper for a priest. "Quiet hunting" would be more like laying traps in the woods or going out alone with a deer rifle.

Oh fer cryin' out loud - more evidence that the Council of Trent had nothing better to do.

Related thread:
Priest hunts free of moral conflict - but only when they're in season.

[Campion]

The kind of "clamorous hunting" they're prohibiting was the pastime of the very rich (and still is, in England and parts of the U.S.). They were the people who could put together hunting parties with hounds, horses, bugles, servants, etc.

I should think you'd be all in favor of the CofT prohibiting priests from living like members of the minor nobility and insisting that they practice evangelical poverty.