The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word QUARRIES
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
Q
U
A
R
R
I
E
S
More clues leading to the result QUARRIES
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Animals hunted/pits" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case animals hunted/pits = quarries.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does QUARRIES mean?
QUARRIES noun- A site for mining stone, limestone, or slate.
- To obtain (or mine) stone by extraction from a quarry.
- To extract or slowly obtain by long, tedious searching.
- A part of the entrails of a hunted animal, given to the hounds as a reward.
- An animal, often a bird or mammal, which is hunted.
- An object of search or pursuit.
- To secure prey; to prey, as a vulture or harpy.
- A diamond-shaped tile or pane, often of glass or stone.