A crucial moment for the future of hunting and hunting laws has arrived in the UK. The debate over trail hunting has been controversial for many years, and the government took initial steps towards banning it over two months ago. Yet, many remain divided on the issue, with activists pushing to end it and protect wildlife, while others view it as a way of life and a tradition.
Environment Minister, Daniel Zeichner, announced that the Government would “launch a consultation on banning trail hunting later this year.”
The original statement was made during a debate organised by Labour MP, Perran Moon, who urged the government to ban trail hunting and strengthen the Hunting Act. Moon calls for removing exemptions and introducing prison sentences for those found guilty of breaking the law.
Since the statement was made, no timeframe has been established. Many animal rights campaigners and political parties wish to see the pledge, which was set out in the Labour 2024 election manifesto, fulfilled as soon as possible as illegal hunting continues on a massive scale.
Protecting wildlife
The National Trust and Forestry England have taken steps to reduce and even ban trail hunting on their land.
Herts Hunt Saboteurs is an organisation that exposes the realities of hunting in the UK. “Trail hunting suddenly came into existence, and this is now what hunters claim to be doing,” a spokesperson told East Anglia Bylines, “but we know this is a smokescreen for cruelty and criminality.”
There is compelling evidence that certain hunters continue to partake in illegal hunting and operate under the facade of legality.
League Against Cruel Sports head of campaigns, Emma Judd, reported that between November 2023 and the end of March 2024, 1,396 incident reports were filed, including 526 related to suspected illegal hunting and 870 incidents of hunts causing disruption in their communities.
The non-profit organisation Protect the Wild aims to end hunting, shooting and the persecution of badgers, while empowering the public to protect British wildlife.
Charlotte Smith, lead on hunting campaigns, spoke to East Anglia Bylines: “Hunts have spent two decades bending the law, cloaking cruelty in tradition and misleading the public.
“At Protect the Wild, we are calling for tough, enforceable laws that leave no grey areas – laws that finally put an end to the endless cat-and-mouse game between hunts and the law.”
The scale of suspected illegal fox hunting
The League Against Cruel Sports has published new figures highlighting the suspected illegal fox hunting and the disruptions these hunts cause to rural communities.
Their end-of-season fox hunting report lists 1,591 incidents. Four hundred and seventy four relate to suspected illegal hunting which includes 397 cases of foxes being chased. Hunt havoc make up the remaining 1,117 cases.
Trail hunting and drag hunting
Trail hunting arose as a response to the Hunting Act of 2004. The legislation differs between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In 2023 Scotland banned the practice of trail hunting, while hunting with hounds remains lawful in Northern Ireland.
The idea is to mimic fox hunting but without the cruelty. An animal-based scent trail is laid down, which the hounds are supposed to chase.
In contrast, drag hunting utilises a ‘drag’, which is typically a piece of absorbent material to which a scent, often aniseed mixed with other substances, is applied. A rider or runner then lays this scent trail by pulling the drag along the ground on a pre-planned route.
Drag hunting has been shown to reduce the risk of wildlife being chased or killed.
“Trail hunting must be banned,” Smith told East Anglia Bylines, “It’s a deception with a deadly cost. Drag hunting, when conducted ethically, does not pose the same threat to wildlife and does not serve as a mask for illegal activity.”
A traditional pastime
Members of the hunting community view trail hunting as a traditional and social pastime in the countryside.
British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) is an organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting hound sports. Oliver Hughes, BHSA Managing Director, spoke to East Anglia Bylines: “Trail hunting is a lawful, highly regulated activity that enables rural communities to preserve long-standing traditions, support employment and manage land in environmentally sensitive ways.
“It also provides a legal and structured outlet for working hounds to carry out the function for which they are bred and trained – following deliberately laid trails.”
Hughes explained that if trail hunting were banned, hundreds of hounds would face an uncertain future. He also stated that BHSA takes all allegations of illegal activity seriously and supports the proper enforcement of the law.
Commenting on the alleged illegal hunting activities, Hughes said that the claims arise from a lack of understanding of what trail hunting entails. In some cases, “selectively edited footage or decontextualised online content is utilised to suggest illegality where none has occurred.”
Looking ahead
It is heartening that the Labour government is committed to consulting on banning trail hunting and strengthening anti-hunting laws. However, we need clear timescales. Everyone, whether in favour of the ban or against it, must engage in open dialogue to ensure robust legislation. Legislation that leaves no room for exploitation in order to protect wildlife and the natural environment.
Only then will we protect animal welfare and end the suffering of animals that are chased and killed.
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