HUNTING SEASON 2019-20

Beaufort FH openly hunt several foxes, catch none

20-10-19  Facebook - Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch    Report for Wednesday 16th October, Beaufort Hunt: 16.10.2019 Meet at Newhouse Farm near Tormarton    Instead of doing the adjacent covert, as is their practice, the Hunt immediately fled east to Acton Turville, going at speed. We found them drawing next to the road close to the motorway holding up traffic with hounds all over the road, running in front of cars.

A cat was seen fleeing in terror as the hounds invaded a private garden with the house owner shouting out of an upstairs window at them. They hunted the hounds through the private properties closely watched and followed by us and in the end gave it up, collected the hounds and took them on.

As they went the first fox of the day was seen both by a sab and the new trainee greencoat getting away across a field. She knew we had seen it and it was left to escape (for the day anyway, the Hunt will be back).

They went on to hunt the large area of footpath free hunt coverts next to the motorway. We met fox number two escaping unnoticed as they searched a long time for it in a bramble mound. The presence of sabs or monitors can drive the Hunt forward and make it less likely they will immediately re-search an area so we stuck close behind them. At Warren Gorse wood it was a full on hunt with hounds put through, riders on point and the Huntsman riding up and down one side. Supporters gathered near our sab on the bridleway along the edge. A masked up terrierman was harassing her but she spotted the hunted fox as it tried to escape darting out but back in when it saw hunt support on the path… that is why they are there. They all saw the fox, nobody tried to stop the hunt except the sab.

The hounds immediately went loudly on cry and the other sab waiting at Parkes Farm saw the fox as it came into the yard entrance area. It passed practically at the feet of two watching stable staff and through a hole into the hay barn. She sprayed out its tracks against the protestations of the stable staff who (a) denied there was a fox (b) claimed the spray (a few drops of citronella mixed with a litre of water) was a dangerous chemical that would harm their expensive horses. Note to Hunts: The police guidelines on the Hunting Act state that sprays used by sabs to mask fox scent are not deemed harmful.

Within minutes the hounds came on the fox’s tracks but lost the scent where it had been sprayed out and were searching through the farm. As the mounted hunt staff blasted down the bridleway arriving at the yard entrance the sab shouted the Hunt off. They left, going on to hunt the covert near the meet where a holloa and raised hat by a rider on point indicated fox number four trying to escape from the wood. The Huntsman encouraged the hounds on to chase it across the field in front of our driver who had gone in when she heard the holloa. As she tried to get back onto the road where the Hunt was heading a female hunt supporter lunged at her and tried to physically stop her.

They chased across the road to another small wood where they kept searching but the chase seemed to fizzle out with the pack moved rapidly on into the area of Lyegrove and Beeches Copse.

Sabs were catching up and one of us headed into the pack coming down the fields on cry from Grickstone towards Seven Mile Plantation. As the sab followed a mounted member of the Hunt started stalking her repeating ‘you are trespassing’ ad infinitum. The fact that they were openly hunting foxes seemed to escape her.

We watched from both sides as they hunted up and down inside 7 mile plantation, also seen by a large group of ramblers who walked right through the middle of the Hunt and expressed their disgust to us. We did get in and do quite a bit of spraying as they were going back and forth and in the end they went off to Bodkin Wood on the busy A46 where as is so often the case, they went on cry. Our driver was on the busy A46 side of the wood when fox number five ran past close to her down the edge. She protected its traces but also weighed in warning the Hunt to leave as we reported illegal hunting to the police. As the hunter/stalker kept on us until the last minute, they seemingly reluctantly gave it up at that wood and headed back towards the kennels.

We were rewarded with a drink by appreciative patrons at the pub at Bodkin.

Ex Pytchley FH JM chokes then smashes woman sab over head

19-10-19   Facebook - North Cambs Hunt Sabs    Woodland Pytchley FH, Clipston, Northants, 19th October 2019    Ex-master Mark Ferguson of the Woodland Pytchley Hunt, which folded into economic ruin before this season even started, took out his frustration today on the skull of a North Cambs Sab, using his horn-handled riding crop to draw blood [right] and knock her down to the ground.

North Cambs Hunt Sabs located the Pytchley Hunt (with newly absorbed Woodland Pytchley thugs) near Clipston in Northamptonshire, hunting foxes at Marston Wood, hounds speaking and terriermen roaming around on quads. One team took the east side of the woods, one team took the west side and sabs set off to pick up the Hunt. Almost immediately riders started the assaults.

With hounds in cry on the scent of a fox, sabs moved in quickly. Hunt riders took great offence to this and one of our crew was hauled by the hood of her jacket, lifting her off her feet and choking her. After she was released from this grip, hunt rider Mark Ferguson brutally struck her over the head with the handle of his riding crop sending her crumpled to the ground.

Even after the shock of this assault, he continued by riding his horse into sabs, and attempting to wrench a camcorder from the hand of another, presumably in a vain attempt to conceal evidence.

                                     Ferguson with crop he hit woman sab over head with 

Sabs called the assault in to police, and put our injured comrade in the care of the group first- aider to be bandaged up and checked out. With blood seeping through the bandages straight away it was clear it was a serious incident.

Moving on, hounds went into cry at Alford Thorns. A fox was briefly spotted going into hiding at the corner of the covert, and a foot team pressed on to put themselves in between the pack and the reported location of the fox, rating the hounds back with voice calls and stopping them from hunting.

                              Ferguson lifts woman sab up by hood, choking her 

Hunstman Daniel Cherriman made a token effort to explain how he supposedly sourced materials for trail hunting. Absolutely absurd when hounds were hunting for a live fox in that very wood, and terriers in boxes were being driven around the hunt.

Police arrived on the scene shortly after, and as soon as the Hunt saw this, they packed up and disappeared. Ferguson, now a master of the Pytchley, being notable as one of the first to vanish.

                                      Ferguson rides horse into another sab  

Sabs make sure Meynell FH can't dig out fox chased to ground

19-10-19  Facebook - Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs     With very little support for the Meynell and South Staffordshire newcomers meet today, we thought we'd politely bolster numbers with help from Staffordshire and Cheshire sabs.

The Hunt met just south of Mercaston at 8am and were straight into blatant hunting without a care. The hounds were in and out of cry throughout the morning, but with sabs in every direction they were unsuccessful in all attempts.

There was chaos early on as terrier men rushed to obstruct traffic on the A52 and prevent hounds from crossing, after which the Huntsman had the sense to move away from the busy main road only to have his pack split.

A fox was marked to ground in a badger sett half way through the day with the Hunt showing clear intent until the arrival of sabs on the scene sent them packing. This caused some tension with terrier men puffing their chests and pushing sabs back, oblivious to the other sabs who had it covered.

With sabs protecting the sett, the Hunt were followed up to the west of Mercaston briefly where they largely gathered stray hounds before riding along the road back to the meet. The police showed up briefly to stop a couple of vehicles acknowledging "I've never really come across this before" but having zero impact as there were still plenty of sabs to see the hunt pack.

With the Hunt packed we left the support scouring for all the missing hounds and headed off to join some of our other sabs in the cull zone.

Donations keep us in the field every week, thank you all. ko-fi.com/nottshuntsabs.

Sabs find Oakley FH cubbing in wood between a road & a river

Hunt then suddenly give rider a jacket marked 'Trail Layer' !

19-9-19  Facebook - Beds & Bucks Hunt Sabs    Our local Hunt, the Oakley have been getting off a little lightly recently so we though it only right and proper they got some of our attention this morning. Their meet was near to Lavenden Mill, an area known for abusing wildlife as they also host the Northants Mink (Otter) Hounds.

As we arrived we could hear the hounds already in cry and amazingly they were virtually in the grounds of the mill, hunting a cover right next to the river and also the road. This was utterly reckless, any fox bolting from the cover and making its way through the riders could have quickly crossed the road and hounds would have followed. While Hunts continue to behave in this manner then hounds will be put at risk from being hit by cars. It's happened before and will happen again.

They were clearly not happy at seeing us and we did in fact see a fox bolt from the western end of the cover as they hunted through it. It ran along the river bank before vanishing into the bank side vegetation. We made sure it's line was covered and no hounds followed.

Now the Oakley have been making a big noise about hunting legally to the local police. This is of course utter nonsense as this early engagement proved however shortly after this, and as the hunt left the area we noticed one rider break away from the group and meet up with a vehicle. A hi-vis vest was produced from the vehicle which the rider put on. On the back, in large lettering it said: "TRAIL LAYER".

Funny how they didn't need that earlier when they were holding up and only produced it once we had arrived and the cameras were on them.

Now the Hunt just ran east along the bank of the river Great Ouse. Several deer were flushed but ran off unmolested. However, another fox was noted crossing the road and caught on the rear facing camera of our vehicle [below]. Our driver made sure the line was covered as well.

The Huntsman, new for this season (Simon Hand) then basically threw in the towel and went back to the meet. They clearly had little country to hunt on and we'd ruined their plans. The field riders went off on their own little jolly.

So we made sure the hounds were all boxed up while we bantered with the Happy Bumpkin and the Joker (no reference to the movie) as they drank coffee and ate sandwiches.

Our solidarity with North Cambs Hunt Sabs who had a member violently assaulted today at the Pytchley. We hope that justice will be served on the perpetrator.

Sabs stay with Tedworth FH all meet, stopping effective hunting

19-10-19  Facebook - Bristol Hunt Saboteurs   Tedworth Hunt – 19/10/19    This morning we met up with Bath Hunt Sabs and headed south to pay a long-overdue visit to the Tedworth Hunt. After a tip-off telling us the Hunt would be meeting in Tidworth, we headed into the area and found them just as they were leaving the meet.

Clearly thinking their activities were not being monitored, the Hunt surrounded a covert and the Huntsman was heard encouraging the hounds onto a scent. Sabs got to work using voice and horn calls and split the pack. The penny had well and truly dropped.

The Huntsman quickly gathered up the hounds, hatched a plan and took off in an attempt to lose us but unfortunately for him, every move was being monitored by two vehicles and two foot teams. Good communication and planning meant that sabs managed to keep close to the hunt all morning which ensured no more attempts to hunt took place. Just before 11am, the Hunt headed for home.

Job well and truly done. Please consider supporting our work: Paypal.me/bristolhuntsabs.

Badsworth etc FH so blatant even heard talking about fox they just chased

18-10-19  Facebook - York Anti-Hunt League     HIT: York and Ainsty South / Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt: 16-10-19 MEET: Glebe Farm between Seaton Ross and Everingham   Thanks to a valuable tip-off made to the Hunt Saboteurs Association (and then passed to us) we were able to again observe this criminally negligent and criminally intent hunt as they and their dogs marauded around the Everingham countryside.

Whilst still carrying out cubbing activities, this Hunt are now clearly gearing-up for full hunting as they covered a large amount of land and woodland at the meet. This coupled with the poor road / land access meant that continual contact with the Hunt was incredibly hard though we saw enough of their activities over the morning to confirm their illegal intent and abundant gross negligence. This lot are just inept and continually fail to control their huge pack of dogs.

From the very start the hounds were irresponsibly taken along a winding road with the obvious risks and traffic issues. They were then immediately into the now well-witnessed cubbing pattern as they surrounded a maize field and cast their hounds through for fox cubs. All of this was again captured on video but the hunt simply didn’t care.

Finding the hunt a little later on we witnessed Jemma Mendoza leading some of the field as they irresponsibly galloped along a tarmac road high on their blood-lust just to keep a fox in an adjacent field. Our Team were quickly into the field as the hounds were in full cry. We cannot be sure if our presence stopped the chase but the hounds were held up and the fox appeared to have escaped. As the riders gathered after the chase we were sickened and astonished to hear rider James Rushbrooke excitedly describe the chase of the fox to the waiting field even knowing we were close enough to hear [below, Rushbrooke circled]. Arrogance indeed.

A common theme of this Hunt is their absolute inability to control their now huge pack of dogs. The ‘skills’ of this Huntsman and the Whippers-in are woeful and we saw them time and again lose complete control of the dogs as they rioted on deer and hare and ran amok. This is happening so frequently that the Hunt claim of ‘accident’ will no longer stand independent scrutiny, as it is obviously a result of pure gross negligence on the part of this Hunt.

Two quads with four terrier’men’ were on hand all day again illegally driving on the public highway overloaded and without plates, tax or insurance. They simply don’t care. Terrier’man’ Dicky Tonks was witnessed arriving at and leaving the meet with his terrier dogs clearly visible in the rear of his vehicle and were in one of the quads all morning. These terriers are of course critical for a modern 'trail hunt'...

Near the end of the meet we had the pleasure of one of the lovely hunt followers taking exception to having his identity recorded, having continually followed and harassed us all day, and threatened to smash the video camera over the head of one of our Team if they did not delete his image. Needless to say they didn’t delete it in spite of the many threats. So, if you are reading this, we have honoured our word and not published your image though we will not hesitate to do this should you threaten and harass us again on the public highway.

As always, critical kit to gather evidence and keep us safe is not cheap and nor is the fuel that keeps us out on the road. We appreciate any support that you can give.❤️��❤️   https://ko-fi.com/yorkanti_huntleague. Tip off 07907 876801.

Please don’t hesitate to contact either the HSA or York Anti-Hunt League in complete confidence should you have any information about this or any other hunt: Thank you.

Pics below   -   1/  Huntsman displaying outstanding consideration to other road users and concern for his dogs' safety   2/  Terriermen - driver is a convicted deer courser, passenger a convicted badger digger, on very road illegal quad

Stag shot in stream after 7 hours hunting by Quantock SH

18-10-19   Facebook - Somerset Wildlife Crime    SWC and Hounds Off spent another day with the Quantock Stag Hounds yesterday. We hadn’t banked on being out with them for a seven hour hunt.

Disgruntled Hunt support couldn’t hide their frustration at the chaotic form of the days events. With many of them left confused as to what was actually happening one supporter was heard to be fed up with ‘Silent Hunting’.

Whilst listening to their quads down in Holford Combe where they had chased a stag into the water, monitors stood by helplessly as gun shots rang out into the dark.

Make no mistake, this wasn’t hunting with hounds, it was a free for all of cobbled together sorts who hunted and chased whatever they could find from one end of the Quantock hills to the other.

Quads, motorbikes, riders and 4x4’s ploughed through Holford village all day, including National Trust land at Shervage and Woodlands Hill on the A39.

Locals were outraged by the intrusions and intimidated by gun carriers, with threats made by hunt supporters to our monitors one thing is as clear as ever, the Quantock Stag Hounds would really rather they were left to destroy our wildlife undetected.   #bateson

POWAperson comments  -  Savages. The stag eventually killed may not have been being hunted for the whole seven hours, but that is hardly the point. When I helped monitor the stag Hunts in the 90s, though, I clearly remember one hunt which lasted over 7 hours and we were sure it was the same stag being hunted throughout They picked up its line at 11.30 am and only stopped at gone 7.30. On that occasion, thankfully, they lost it - but who knows what serious damage that prolonged Hunt might have done to the stag. The Bateson Report found that even the more standard 3 hour hunt caused significant systemic harm to deer.  

Dog walker sees Quantock SH hunting on N.T. land

18-10-19  Facebook - The National Dis-Trust     We have again had reports from a dog walker who witnessed the Quantock stag hounds and quad bikes on National Trust land near Holford.

The National Trust claim they do not allow illegal hunting on their land, but to date they have failed to address just one complaint regarding the stag hunt.

The National Trust hadn't licensed any Hunt to be on their land yesterday and have never issued a licence for the Quantock staghounds. So why are they allowing it to continue?

Rioting Beaufort FH hounds cause chaos on road near motorway

18-10-19   Facebook - Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch   VIDEO    It's not trail hunting is it? The Beaufort Hunt causing chaos on the road from Acton Turville to the motorway.

              Whip lets hounds out of private property - they run off up road towards M6 

                            There they go - Whip leaves them to their own devices 

'Incompetent' Badsworth etc FH closely chase 2 deer simultaneously

17-10-19  Facebook - York Anti-Hunt League  VIDEO  York and Ainsty South / Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt: 16-10-19 - Meet: Glebe Farm - between Seaton Ross and Everingham   This short video graphically evidences the illegal actions and the criminal gross-negligence and incompetence of the YAS/BBMH Hunt.

Time and time again we witness their complete inability to control their (now huge) pack of dogs. They continually run uncontrolled across the countryside, often dangerously over roads and land without permissions, and riot and hunt any living thing that gets in their way.

Here, you can see that the hounds are rioting uncontrollably, not after one deer, but TWO deer simultaneously. This is NOT an ‘accident’ as the Hunts often protest. The frequency by which these events take place determine this to be clear undeniable criminal gross negligence and we firmly believe that this Hunt are unfit to release this mob of dogs into the countryside to slaughter at will.

Sadly, we simply can’t be out in the field every time this incompetent Hunt are out. Just ask yourselves this: ‘What do you think the hunt does when they think no one is watching?’

If you can help us in any way then please get in touch in complete confidence.

TIP OFF NUMBER 07907 876801. https://ko-fi.com/yorkanti_huntleague.

Old Surrey FH meet owners & followers throw punches at sabs

16-10-19  Facebook - South Coast Hunt Sabs    Still commuting back and forth to the badger killing fields we took a moment to join our extended Sab family to pay the dirty old Burstow Hunt a visit.

We filled 2 Landrovers, whereas the OSBWK could only muster up 8 enthusiastic blood junkies for the cubbing meet at Osney Lodge Farm (btw it's a campsite, so make sure you tell all your friends).

The small but not perfectly formed Benny "I like to use my horse as a weapon" Giddings, took great delight that we were watching the hounds un-box. His sab obsession is as weird as his taste in long johns. The landowner asked us to leave, which we did as it held no advantage for us being there.

                         Sign at meet site - unless its a pack of hounds, obviously 

Thinking they had the upper hand once they'd moved off, little Benny, a few other riders and some quad straddling extras from 'Deliverance' blocked sabs' path at the first gate they came to. We have legs, went around and caught up with the hounds. They then realised it was a pointless exercise. From then onwards the Hunt had a constant sab presence despite hacking across the countryside and across major roads in an attempt to lose us.

Looking dejected they sulked back to the meet. Sabs waited to be picked up at the entrance of the farm by the Landy to go home. In a baffling manoeuvre the owners of Osney Lodge and some hunt supporters tried to block the sab Landrover from pulling in off a busy road and even threw punches at Sabs who stoutly defended themselves.

Yet again the Hunt embarrasses themselves and really has no regard for horses, hounds or the general public when using the highways.

Come join us! It's fun saving wildlife – honest. Keep us in the field: PayPal.me/SouthCoastHuntSabs. Any info on the scum? 07443148426

Concern that loose hounds keep being seen near Cheshire FH kennels

16-10-19  Facebook - Cheshire Monitors    They just don't care... Another of the Cheshire Hounds' pack was spotted loose this morning on the Whitegate Way near hunt kennels in Sandiway. No hunt staff were anywhere to be seen.

But of course, they care so much about their hounds, don't they...!

A number of local residents and other users of the this public footpath have expressed concerns over the regularity of hounds loose in the area, with a number of sightings just in the last week, and may like to make their concerns known to the council and RSPCA.

Old Surrey FH delay rush-hour traffic on A22

16-10-19  Facebook - North Downs Hunt Sabs  VIDEO   15-10-19 - Old Surrey and Burstow Fox Hunt's stupidity - holding up traffic in the A22 at 8-30 am holding up rush hour traffic.

Police investigating Blackmore FH causing hazard on road

15-10-19   Dorset Echo    Police investigate reports of hunt 'causing hazard on road'     Officers investigating reports of road safety offences are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

At around 10.30am on Saturday, October 12, Dorset Police received reports of horses and hounds from a local Hunt causing a hazard to road users on the A352 in the area of Holnest. Inspector Simon Perry, of North Dorset police, said: “We are carrying out a proportionate and objective investigation into these reports and I am appealing for any witnesses who have not already spoken to police to contact us. While I understand there can be strong opinions surrounding issues relating to hunting, I would like to remind members of the public that this matter is now subject to an investigation. I would therefore urge people to exercise caution and refrain from making any comments, particularly on social media, that could prejudice or undermine this ongoing investigation. I would also encourage anyone with any video footage in relation to this matter to contact police rather than post it on social media as it could form evidence as part of the case.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at http://www.dorset.police.uk/, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190161246. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.

New CA CEO is ex hare hunter, CA officer and Tory Minister

15-10-19  Morethanjustbadgers.net    Nick Herbert – the Countryside Alliance’s New Chairman    Simon Hart MP is (in my opinion) a particularly odious character and was the Chairman of the Countryside Alliance prior to his appointment as Minister of Implementation within Boris’s self serving (and hopefully temporary) Government. This clearly left the CA with a position to fill and we now know who that will be.

Nick Herbert MP is a former Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (May 2010 -Sept 2012) and was also the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. He’s currently the MP for Arundel and South Downs in West Sussex. As you would expect from a Tory he’s Cambridge educated where he read law and land economy but more importantly we was the director of public affairs for the British Field Sports Society (the forerunner of the Countryside Alliance), a post he held for 6 years. So are are we to make of this appointment? Obviously, his past demonstrates he is deeply entrenched within the hunting and shooting set and his time as director of public affairs at the BFSS would suggest he should know what he’s doing with regards to PR however the current CEO of the CA, Tim Bonner is a complete loon who constantly scores own goals with his irrelevant and nonsensical ramblings on social media. One wonders if Nick will be able to put a leash on him?

A little bit of digging would show Nick to be the previous Master and Huntsman of the Newmarket Beagles and also the Trinity Foot Beagles, a pack I have been involved in preventing hunting several times. For those that don’t know beagling is the hunting of Brown Hares with beagles. The hunt staff still dress up in stupid costumes but they hunt on foot. A hare will always be able to outrun a beagle (even though hunting beagles are very fast) however they don’t have the stamina of the hounds and as they are reluctant to leave their territory will also tend to run in large circles. In the end they will run out of puff and be pulled apart by the hounds. Beagle packs can kill many hares in an afternoon's hunting (more info here).

How anyone can take any pleasure in watching this majestic animal being tormented and killed in such a manner is beyond most normal peoples comprehension but Nick himself describes this as some sort of addiction.

So it should come as no surprise then that Nick loves a bit of animal abuse and during David Cameron‘s time as Prime Minister he held the post of Minister for Police and Criminal Justice, which made him responsible for the policing of the Hunting Act. No doubt one of the many reasons why there was so little action from the police when a staunch hunting advocate was dictating Government policy on the situation.

In a statement about his appointment to the CA Nick states:- “The Countryside Alliance is one of the UK’s biggest campaigning groups, and its mission to stand up for the countryside and the rural way of life has never been more important. I am passionate about these issues, and I’m honoured to be taking up this role at such a critical time for the countryside. Having been involved in creating the movement some years ago it feels like I’m coming home.”

It’s pretty standard stuff but he’s right about the time being critical, not just for the countryside but for hunting itself. Beagling especially is a dying blood sport, those taking part are all facing their dotage and packs are going to the wall (see here). In a time where the biodiversity of our country is at an all time low and the pressures on our wildlife are increasing all the time it’s pretty sad that an organisation like the CA even exists, and while they may claim to represent the countryside as a whole we should never lose sight of the fact that their primary objective has always and will always, be the promotion of hunting and the repeal of the Hunting Act.

Beaufort FH cub hunt in near flood - AE's blocked - monitor assaulted

14-10-19  Facebook - Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch     Beaufort Hunt 12.10.19    The Hunt met at Badminton Kennels and the usual 100 or more riders turned up to take part in the busy Saturday meet including children and those small enough to need leading reins. The conditions on the roads and fields were quite hazardous but that didn’t stop the huge turnout. Allengrove Lane was flooded from the river that had burst its banks at the Giant’s Cave end, making it just passable with a 4x4 and those who were determined to go through and risk damaging their engines.

They set off inside the park crossing to Centre Walk Brake where we approached on footpaths as they hunted through this regularly used fox covert with an artificial earth at one end. The AE was the first one of the day found to have all entrances blocked with stones to prevent the fox escaping underground and hoofmarks showed the huntsman had been circling close inside the wood. A whistle sounded indicating a hunter had seen a fox running and the Hunt got into action. The hounds went on cry out into a field and along a hedge, but they then rioted on a deer, chasing it towards the Acton Turville Road. This is the second rioting on deer we have seen this week by Beaufort hounds.

We were at the north of Allen Grove and the hounds were moving in and out of the woods. The field was held up on the east side and as we approached the Huntsman gathered the hounds by cracking his whip. Our vehicle was situated on the lane to witness the parade of an endless stream of riders coming past and taking their horses through the deep water.

Nick Hopkins took his horse down towards Giant’s Cave where we had another monitor waiting to see what was coming through. The riders turned left towards Luckington where they had to wade through another flood. The fields either side of the lane were impassable by the hedges and footpaths completely covered over with water.

The Hunt moved on towards Alderton when the hounds were heard on cry again alongside the hedge - then losing the scent. They then hunted the railway embankment on the other side of the railway, a regular hunting spot for them. The Hunt has fenced the whole stretch of railway here with high fencing and we believe this is because of the accident a few years ago when the pack chased a fox across this mainline and half were killed. Two more AEs were found blocked with breeze blocks and bricks in this area. We believe these AE’s are no longer used for breeding foxes for the Hunt, but it is possible they are used to hold a fox to release to the Hunt or blocked so the poor fox can’t go to ground.

They were intent on their hunt in Alderton Grove but, with two lots of monitors around the wood, they were under pressure. At this point the water was too deep to stick to the footpath and a hunt staff member ran towards one of the foot walkers which resulted in an assault on our foot-walker. The other foot-walker went to help and was threatened by the same member of the Hunt but showed restraint. Other Hunt staff were present but did and said nothing.

Next they hunted Cranhill Covert by the Alderton Road and railway embankment. We could see them outside the wood and supporters were placed inland waiting. Again we heard them go on cry, briefly. The conditions were horrendously wet underfoot which is hard for us following them but good for the foxes as the scent gets lost in the water.

From there they went to New Covert where we heard them on cry again then following them past Fosse Lodge we arrived just in time to see them come from Dunley Gorse with the full support of terrier men and quads spread out on the bend. When Matt Ramsden saw our cameras looking into the wood he had the good sense to blow his horn and gather them immediately to head out of the wood.

This wasn’t the end as heading for home the hounds raced towards a field of maize by Broadmead Covert – no trail in there.

The usual veteran supporters were lined up on the road with various fruity and gnarled remarks offered to our personnel when they arrived on the scene. Earlier, maybe slightly the worse for wear, one of these old support males castigated one of us for ‘spoiling their fun'. When she replied she came to stop them killing foxes, he said, ‘why - a fox is a wild animal’ and that was what they were doing and explained that the artificial earths were good as it encouraged the foxes to breed and there wouldn’t be any foxes if it wasn’t for them. Also he said if they didn’t hunt the foxes then they would have to shoot them.

Apart from the assault and driving dangerously close to one of us through a gateway, the usual line up of terrier men mostly stood back from us, and the two designated stalkers one in high-viz the other in a striking hat, appeared somewhat reluctant and maybe shamefaced? The Hunt kept moving all day and we kept up with them, sometimes appearing where they did not expect it.

Thanks to Ridgeway Illegal Hunt Watch for their support today. Please give them a like on their FB page! Thank you for your continued support.

Police & monitors ensure Cheshire FH don't even get to chase any foxes

Hunt cynically use 10 year old rider to label monitors 'paedos' 

14-10-19  Facebook - Cheshire Monitors    14 October 2017, and again… Cheshire Hounds caught cub hunting, Darnhall 14.10.17    With a growing team of monitors and huge boost in support, we are finding it increasingly easy to locate this Hunt, and this morning we found them cub hunting on the Darnhall Estate in Darnhall.

Hounds were in and out of cry only briefly, and the theme of the morning’s activities quickly became one of lost hounds, as Huntsman Jake continually failed to control his pack, with many left in woodland after the Hunt moved off and subsequently running around on the road and causing numerous problems for passing traffic. Police officers and monitors had to join together to stop hounds being hit by cars and causing accidents. The Huntsman had to put himself through another walk of shame at the end of the morning when a final straggler had to be found (we pointed him in the right direction).

The Hunt began today by flushing woodland north of Hall Lane in Darnhall, displaying classic cub hunting behaviour. We did see one adult fox making a getaway, and we are pleased to report that the Hunt seemed oblivious. Shortly after they moved across to the south side. This is a very remote spot, perfect if you are wanting to take part in an activity that you would rather the general public didn’t see, so we were glad to be around to stop them. And both Hunt members and support seemed incredibly rattled by our continued presence.

                                                                       Road illegal Hunt quad 

We found many more blocked entrances to a badger sett here today, another clear sign of their intentions.

Police input was again today very positive indeed, with four police patrols on scene, also reporting numerous complaints from local residents and motorists. Without going into the ins and outs of the Hunting Act, they weren’t able to bring a complete halt to the hunt, but they certainly assisted in doing all but that, and we are pleased to report there have been discussions about how the police are progressing the entire problem of hunting this year.

One particularly tasteless tactic from the Hunt today was using a young rider (10 years old, we were told) who the Hunt used as 'bait', [below, her image obscured] placing her in prominent positions amongst the riders purely to allow them to accuse monitors of being “paedos” and to insist we “stop filming children, you paedophiles”. Not a new tactic, we've heard it all before, but done particularly nastily today, with the poor child, riding side-saddle, looking thoroughly traumatised by it all, holding her head down in shame as this went on around her. This Hunt will clearly stoop as low as necessary to try and enable them to continue their hobby.

Finally, we would like to report that due to persistent police presence and our teams hard work this Hunt had no chases and there were no kills today.

More details shown on individual photographs. PLEASE keep language clean and refrain from posting abuse.

If you would like to join Cheshire Monitors, or have information to pass on to us (in strictest confidence), then please get in touch. Either message us here or email info@cheshiremonitors.org.uk.

Some Atherstone FH supporters can't accept their Hunt has died

14-10-19  Facebook - West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs     It seems a few delusional Atherstone supporters haven’t yet accepted that their Hunt has gone (now listed as disbanded on Baily’s hunting directory) and have set up this Facebook page which embarrassingly for the hunting community seems to be a place for former Atherstone supporters to publicly air the Hunt's dirty laundry, with both the Masters and the Huntsman being criticized. The page seems to be run by people who are sad the Hunt has gone but never bothered to actually support the Hunt when it did exist.

The most interesting comments so far are from Matthew Waddington, a member of the North Warwickshire Beagles who shared kennels with the Atherstone hounds. He says things have been run to a very poor standard. This confirms what we have already heard about the appalling state of the kennels.

It seems these Atherstone supporters are suffering withdrawal symptoms not being able to see their Hunt sabbed by us twice a week. The unlikely event of an Atherstone Hunt version 2.00 would face the full force of hunt saboteurs and a renewed campaign against them.     #WhosNext

Storm as pro-Hunt Duke asked to open SSPCA animal rescue centre

Duke of Kent is member of CA and the Royal Caledonian Hunt

Foxes are among the animals treated at the Centre

13-10-19  Daily Record   Royal row as fox hunt fan Duke of Kent to visit animal rescue centre   The Queen's cousin is a member of various groups which support hunting and SSPCA staff are angry at decision to invite him The Duke of Kent has been listed to perform the official opening at the Scottish SPCA’s Fishcross centre in Clackmannanshire Staff at a rescue centre for injured animals have hit out at a decision to hand the ­official opening duties to a royal with links to fox hunting.

The Duke of Kent will visit the Scottish SPCA’s Fishcross centre in Clackmannanshire in the coming weeks. But insiders at the charity and animal rights campaigners are angered by the visit of the duke, a close confidante of his cousin the Queen, who ­affectionately calls him Eddie.

The 84-year-old is the only royal who is a member of pro-hunting group the Countryside Alliance. The decorated former soldier is also a member of the Royal Caledonian Hunt, a Scottish club set up in 1777 to promote hunting and racing.

The Scottish SPCA has been a vocal opponent of fox hunting over the past two decades. Earlier this year, its boss Mike Flynn branded it “abhorrent”.

An insider said: “People aren’t happy. The duke is controversial with his links to fox hunting, ­especially since we nurse foxes back to good health. The society’s income from public donations has been down since bad publicity over the massive salary paid to a former chief executive and they seem to think good PR is the way ­forward. But this guy stands for many things that ­animal lovers reject. They shouldn’t invite him along.”

John Robins of Animal Concern said: “This is a ­throwback to the 80s and 90s when the Scottish SPCA was full of fox hunters and campaigners had to take dead foxes to their AGM to embarrass them into opposing fox hunting. It must be asked if the Duke of Kent is an appropriate person to invite to a centre which treats injured foxes. This visit sends out all the wrong messages.”

The Scottish SPCA opened its £3.5million centre at Fishcross, near Alloa, in 2012. SSPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn has previously branded fox hunting "abhorrent"

Insiders say royal protection officers have been visiting Fishcross ahead of the visit, which hasn’t been confirmed.

Fox hunting with dogs was banned in Scotland in 2002, with an exemption for using dogs to flush out foxes for pest control, protecting livestock or ­ground-nesting birds.

Flynn, the Scottish SPCA’s chief superintendent, said: “The Duke of Kent will be visiting our National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross. He was invited to visit several ­charitable organisations in the area by the Lord Lieutenant of ­Clackmannanshire. We will be showing him our state of the art facilities and look forward to discussing the preservation and future of wildlife.”

Albrighton & W. FH stay home after v. long kennels stand-off with sabs

13-10-19  Facebook - Staffordshire Hunt Sabs    Albrighton & Woodland Hunt, 12/10/19    An early start resulted in a great result as sabs arrived the A&WH kennels before the daybreak to find the Huntsman about to load the hounds into the hound van. Knowing that they were now getting "sabbed" panic seemed to set in with members of the hunt staff seen marching around on phones looking none to pleased.

With sabs sat outside the kennels and another sab car positioned away keeping a look out for any attempt to escape they had no way out.What foll

owed then was several hours of us watching the Huntsman watching us. Most importantly as they was unable to get out to hunt they were unable to kill!!! We will happily sit watching him watching us EVERY WEEK if it stops him from killing.

A boring day but a very successful day. https://www.ko-fi.com/staffordshirehuntsabs.

Sabs find masked Cottesmore FH terriermen lurking near blocked sett

12-10-19  Facebook - Northants Hunt Saboteurs  VIDEO   Cottesmore Hunt, 12-10-19 - Blocked badger setts and dodgy terrier men with something to hide    The Cottesmore Hunt terriermen looking as dodgy as they come. Sabs had found a large blocked badger sett that same morning where the Cottesmore Hunt were actively and illegally hunting. Sabs unblocked the sett and have reported to the police.

Tampering with a badger sett is a crime. Fox hunting is a crime against all wildlife.

Sabs stop Crawley FH hounds off 1 fox, return a lost one to Hunt

12-10-19  Facebook - Guildford Hunt Saboteurs    Today, alongside Kingston and West Sussex Hunt Sabs, we headed to Bakers Farm where the Crawley and Horsham hunt were hoping to kill fox cubs - not today!

We came across the Hunt as they were hunting through Madgeland Wood and were able to disrupt the hounds enough to get them off the scent. The hounds were split all over the place as the Huntsman had no control.

The Hunt then moved at pace but fast-paced sabs managed to keep up. As hounds went into cry again north of Brick Kiln Farm a fox was spotted fleeing but sabs managed to distract the hounds enough using horns and gizmos to take them off the scent. We suspect the hounds were chasing this fox for some time.

Not long after the Hunt packed up but as they certainly weren’t following a trail. There were still hounds loose that they left behind. Tell us again about how much you care about your animals? Sabs located the hound and shortly after the terriermen came to collect him/her.

If you’re interested in joining please give us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can - you can also donate below to keep us in the field. Thanks! GoFundme:- gf.me/u/uqi7zy  - Kofi: www.ko-fi.com/A62094D - Paypal:- northdownshuntsaboteurs@gmail.com.

Sabs take Fernie FH hounds off line of two foxes they chasing

12-10-19   Facebook - Beds & Bucks Hunt Sabs    Once more the forces of the righteous overcome evil and save lives... or sabs wreck Hunts' blood lust This admin is absolutely shot - late nights in Wiltshire saving badgers then a 5:30am start this morning up to scupper some cubbing. Bear with me because I've just got in, had no food to speak of (except a nice cup cake and small sausage roll courtesy of North Cambs Hunt Sabs) plus we stopped for a pint on the way home so there may be spelling mistakes...

This morning we once again joined forces with long time comrades and cake suppliers North Cambs Hunt Sabs to take on the Fernie, who were hunting around Shangton in Leicestershire. They spent a long time trying to flush something from Shangton Holt, hounds often in cry with sabs continually rating and finally North Cambs drawing them out with horn and voice. A fox was seen by the North Cambs vehicle making it's escape. The support were no happy and in true homophobic style we were oddly called "lesbians"...

They headed north to Foxhole Spinney, we noticed a fox fleeing, luckily the hounds didn't pick up it's scent but we covered it anyway.

They moved further north to Gillian's Plantation and Tamborough Hill, sabs always with them. We were in perfect position to witness a fox run the north eastern edge before cutting across the field and away, hounds in cry within the wood and most definitely on it's line. We covered its line with our scent masking solution and formed a barrier the hounds would not cross. Using classic sabbing tactics we rated them back with voice and whip, they lost the line and we sent them back the other way.

Great communications and team work kept the Hunt on the run. They moved fast but we rarely lost site, always having a team in position to react appropriately.

As the morning wore on the hounds picked up on a strong line, in full cry and moving fast, we didn't see the quarry, but it was clear they were on something. When we finally caught up with them the hounds were marking to ground, the fox had sought sanctuary in a hole among the brambles in a ditch, the Hunt very keen to flush it out and with the terrier man hanging around we held our ground and made sure no dig out could take place. Huntsman Will Hanson finally took the hounds away but we stayed put as the terrier man was lurking and refusing to leave.

North Cambs sabs took up the chase and made sure no more animals were hunted. We finally escorted them and their weirdo Master Phil Cowen back to where they'd started the day and finally boxed up around 11:30am.

We covered over 11km this morning in very soggy condition. Help us hunt the hunters: Ko-fi.com/bedsbuckshuntsabs.

Sabs see safe only fox put up by Quorn FH cubbing

Hounds later rioted on a B road 

11-10-19  Facebook - Nottingham Hunt Saboteurs     Despite being busy with the badger cull, when we heard the Quorn were having an evening cubbing meet at the delightfully named Sludge hall in Cold Newton, we couldn't resist skiving off work a bit early and popping along to keep an eye on them.

Just this very morning they'd announced on their Facebook page that followers of the imploded Atherstone were welcome to join them. We wonder what huntsman Ollie Finnigan thinks about that when the Atherstone sacked him and kicked him and his heavily pregnant wife out of their hunt house. When asked Ollie replied with a diplomatic no comment but his grin spoke a thousand words!!

On to the hunting, what little there was of it. Ollie stayed in the same parcel of land that the meet was in and hunted various small coverts and a disused railway line. Hounds spoke on occasion but sabs quickly took the pack if it looked like mischief was afoot. A large dog fox was seen fleeing the area but sabs masked his scent and there was some panic amongst the terrier men when hounds rioted across a busy B road.

Either of our two teams of foot sabs had the Hunt in sight for the entire two hours they were out and we happily watched them pack as dusk descended.

Please support us: Ko-fi.com/nottshuntsabs.

Severn V. Beagles give up when sabs arrive as they leave meet

10-10-19  Facebook - Bristol Hunt Saboteurs    Severn Vale Beagles – 10/10/19    This morning we made our first visit of the season to a beagle pack, along with others from Mendip Hunt Sabs, Bath Hunt Sabs & Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch.

The Hunt met at Widdenhill Farm, Horton at 7.30am. A rather small affair, 6 of them in total including staff & supporters. They had only just left the meet when they spotted the sabs waiting for them, and then hot footed it back.

We saw a hare in the field next to the meet, who no doubt would‘ve ended up as the Hunt’s quarry if they had ventured any further. Not on our watch. Beaglers’ excuses of following a ‘trail’ are complete nonsense, and they know it.

The hound van was heading back into the kennels (they’re in with the Berkeley Hunt at Ham), just after 9am. Sorted. Beaglers beware...

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Sabs cause Surrey U. FH to halt cubbing after just one hour

10-10-19  Facebook - Guildford Hunt Saboteurs    Surrey Union cub hunt meet sent packing after only an hour out!    Enough sabs managed to get together from North Downs and Kingston alongside Surrey Hunt Monitors after receiving a tip off the Surrey Union Hunt were out.

They were at Loseley Park, normally they host weddings but I don’t know why anyone would want to get married in a place that allows Hunts to chase fox cubs on their grounds. Please politely ask them to cut ties with illegal hunting:- http://www.loseleypark.co.uk.

When we arrived they were drawing a woodland with hounds on to the scent of a fox, we made ourselves known and took control of the pack causing the Huntsman to quickly call them back.

The Hunt were straight on their phones and didn’t know what to do. After failing to lose sabs they headed to Ashen Copse where they laid a non-existent trail on the end of a whip which the hounds didn’t react too, instead the Huntsman took the hounds directly through the Copse clearly hoping to “accidentally” come across a fox. As the hounds started to pick up a scent sabs were able to call them off, again.

After only an hour out the Hunt, all 10 of them, headed back to the meet and packed up early but not before frustrated hunt employee decided to start pushing a sab about while attempting to trip them up. Ed Hutley then said if he assaults us he’ll be out of the job! We’ll bring a P45 next time!

If you’re interested in joining please give us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can - you can also donate below to keep us in the field. Thanks! GoFundme:- gf.me/u/uqi7zy - Kofi: www.ko-fi.com/A62094D - Paypal: northdownshuntsaboteurs@gmail.com.

LACS protests N. Trust 'trail hunt' licence for Monmouthshire FH

7-10-19  South Wales Argus     'Barbaric' trail hunting licence for Monmouthshire mountain should be cancelled, animal welfare charity says     AN ANIMAL welfare charity has urged the National Trust to cancel a trail hunting licence for the Sugar Loaf, near Abergavenny, calling it a “barbaric practice”.

Trail hunting involves people on foot or horseback following a scent along a pre-determined route with hounds or beagles, mirroring the traditional hunt without a fox being chased, injured or killed. Hunting real wild animals with dogs has been illegal in Wales and England since 2005, and in Scotland since 2003.

But pressure group the League Against Cruel Sports say trail hunting “has been widely dismissed as a fraudulent activity that is used as a cover-up for the illegal pursuit of foxes” - and have protested against a licence issued to the Monmouthshire Hunt, covering the Sugar Loaf mountain in Monmouthshire, which is owned by the National Trust.

Chris Luffingham, the organisation's director of campaigns said: “It’s time the National Trust stopped allowing fox hunts on their land and got in line with the views of the general public, the vast majority of whom abhor this barbaric practice. The fox hunting ban is being flouted by the hunts, yet their contemptible behaviour is essentially being condoned by the National Trust when they issue trail hunting licences.”

The Monmouthshire Hunt's licence only allows them to carry out the activity on the Sugar Load four days a year - January 8, January 15, February 19 and February 26.

A spokeswoman for The National Trust said: “Any activity associated with the term hunting continues to provoke strong emotions on both sides of the debate. We recognise our approach will not satisfy everyone. Our charity’s core aim is to look after the places in our care and that remains our top priority when considering whether to licence any outdoor activity. This would be true whether it’s mountain biking or a food festival. The Trust does licence trail hunting in some areas and at certain times of the year, where it is compatible with our aims of public access and conservation. Our clear, robust, and transparent set of conditions will allow participants to undertake a version of this legal activity that’s compatible with our conservation aims. But our charity was also established for the nation’s benefit and to provide the widest spectrum of public access and enjoyment. We therefore always look to welcome people to our places and to host the broadest range of outdoor activities on our land. We believe this should include trail hunting, where it is consistent with our conservation aims and is legally pursued.”

Badsworth etc FH Hunt over banned heritage site & riot on deer

6-10-19  Facebook - West Yorkshire Hunt Saboteurs   VIDEO   Hit Report ~ Badsworth etc FH ~ Bridge House Farm, Weeton ~ 05/10/19 Badsworth etc FH hunting through England Heritage site - Hounds riot on a deer    After sabs were violently threatened at their meet last week, we decided to keep the pressure on the Badsworth etc Hunt by sabbing them again this week alongside Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs. After another early morning start, they finally ended up at their meet in Weeton, North Yorkshire.

Huntsman David Elliot was blatantly illegally hunting all morning, and taking the hounds round a number of local fields. They headed straight for the site of Rougemont Castle, a scheduled monument protected by English Heritage. Dogs are only allowed on this land if kept under control, and both dogs and humans must keep to clearly marked footpaths; two rules that the Hunt blatantly flaunted. This type of behaviour is not surprising, given that the same Hunt had the nerve to send their hounds into a nature reserve and SSSI last week, but it is testament to the culture of entitlement and disrespect Hunts hold up and down the country.

It is important to note that ex BBMH terriermen Sean Stringwell, Michael Sharp and Danny Smithson were charged last year after digging out at a badger sett in this wood.

The Hunt illegally sent their hounds into Rougemont twice; once at the start, and once again at the end of the day. Elliot's desperation to kill was clear. The hounds entered the English Heritage land again for a third time after they rioted in pursuit of a deer later on in the day. Incidents like this show that even if Hunts are simply following trails (which they almost never are), leading a pack of hounds through the countryside will always risk the lives of innocent animals. In this case, thankfully, sabs were able to see the deer escape to safety.

The inability of the hunt to control their hounds was perhaps the strongest and most laughable theme of todays sab. In part this can be put down to the ineptitude of whipper-in Mark Poskitt. A vegetable farmer and purveyor of Yorkshire’s most inadequate carrots, Marky Mark is a frequent source of ridicule within the hunting community for his frequent poor performance in the field. Today, however, the entire group of hunt servants seemed to be off their game, and frequently ignored the instructions of the increasingly aggravated Huntsman. Sabs were thus able to take control of the hounds fairly easily. This kept the hounds moving all morning.

With sabs on their toes all morning and as a result of frustration at their own poor performance, the Hunt stayed out longer than is usual for a pre-season cubbing meet, and so it wasn’t until 1pm that we were able to head back and grab some well deserved food and a pint, with no confirmed kills.

We need some new equipment - Please consider buying us a ‘kofi’ and keeping us in the field, saving lives. https://ko-fi.com/westyorkshirehuntsaboteurs. Love and rage, WYHS

2 foxes seen to safety from Tanatside FH cub hunting

5-10-19  Facebook - Shropshire Monitors    The Tanatside Hunt were found cub hunting nr Guilsfield this morning by monitors. They met at Tirnewydd farm.

Blocking the road and surrounding woodland at Bank Wood Pant Mawr. Two foxes were seen by monitors to safety. A very angry farmer was also seen. Full report later.

Hounds rioting in gardens near Llangollen reported

5-10-19  Facebook - North Wales Hunt Saboteurs     Well we were out with Derby and Shropshire Hunt Saboteurs at the Flint and Denbigh hunt kennels dawn and dusk but the Hunt didn't leave the kennels. Oh well!

We're also receiving reports of hounds out of control in Llangollen rioting through peoples gardens.

Sabs assist getaways of 4 foxes Fernie FH flush from maize

5-10-19  Facebook - North Cambs Hunt Sabs    Four foxes escape the Fernie hounds - Fernie Hunt, Laughton, 5 October 2019, 7:30am    North Cambs Hunt Sabs picked up the Fernie Hunt this morning, cub-hunting at Laughton in Leicestershire.

From the meet just north of the village, the Hunt worked a circuit of hedges and brooks between Saddington Reservoir, Mowsley and Laughton village. Sabs worked in two small groups to keep close to the fast moving pack.

It was clear we were in a busy area for foxes, with hounds speaking every time they entered a new patch of scrub or woodland. Voice calls and horn were used each time to either quieten the pack down or prove enough of a distraction for the huntsman to decide to move on.

After drawing the treeline to the south of Saddington reservoir, the Huntsman, Will Hanson, cast hounds into a maize field just south of the Mowsley Road. here he sat back and refused to intervene as the hounds rattled around the maize, picking up on scent after scent.

From our vehicle on watch on the road above, three foxes (two adults and a cub) were seen running - our driver and navigator both dashing to cover the foxes trails with citronella mist. One of these foxes was caught on our vehicle camera briefly.

Down in the fields below, a fourth fox, again we believe a cub, darted out from the eastern edge of the maize, with hounds in pursuit. The fox headed at full speed for the woods at the edge of reservoir and managed to get through a wire fence which stopped the hounds behind it.

Sabs were close enough to keep with the chase long enough to rate the hounds which were searching back out of the treeline. The Huntsman only then arrived to collect his pack, and move on.

After this close call sabs stayed as close to the Huntsman and hounds as possible, and after a circuit of Laughton brook and Mowsley, the Huntsman finally blew for home and boxed up the hounds, at 10:20am.

Wiltshire & Infantry Beagles pack up soon after sabs arrive

5-10-19  Facebook - Berkshire Hunt Sabs    Infantry outmanoeuvred    Today Berkshire Hunt Sabs took another early morning trip to Sailsbury Plain with our good pals at Surrey Hunt Monitors following a tip off regarding the Wiltshire and Infantry Beagles hare hunt. And sure enough the Hunt were found up the track from the Bustard Arms near Shrewton.

They were rather unchuffed to see us turn up, probably because they had only gone a few hundred yards from the meet when we strolled over cameras in hand.

One sweet beagle puppy bounded over to Sabs wanting some attention and to play, but it was quickly scooped up and taken away by the master, who told the dog off saying “you don’t want to be playing with them”.

They didn’t stick around long and soon high tailed it back where they came from with only four supporters in tow. A nice easy mission for us.

Un-fun fact. A former Whipper-in of the Wilts & Infantry was a reverend and the co-ordinator of a campaign group called ‘Clergymen for Field Sports’. The group of 50 clergymen who participate in field sports believes that hunting is a moral act, not an immoral one, and therefore should not be banned.

Please support us in the work we do by donating to our equipment fundraiser here> https://www.gofundme.com/f/berkshirehuntsabs or to our petrol fund here> PayPal.me/berksabc. We spend a massive amount of money on fuel every week and donating just £5 to us really make a difference and enables us to continue. Thank you!

#berkshirehuntsabs #trailhuntlies #huntsabs #hsa #stophuntingleverets #stophurtinganimals

Sabs assaulted but still ensure no-kill day for Ross Harriers

5-10-19  Facebook - Bristol Hunt Saboteurs   Ross Harriers (Opening Meet) – 05/10/19    We joined Bath Hunt Sabs and locals to visit the Ross Harriers for their opening meet at Warren Farm, Aston Crews, Herefordshire today. The Hunt and their pitifully small following left the meet shortly after 11, with hounds immediately going into cry, albeit only for a brief period. With two sab vehicles and a number of foot teams, we made sure the Hunt had close company throughout.

After searching through a number of fields and woods and failing to find any hare or fox, and with sabs there at every move, the increasingly frustrated huntsman seemed out of ideas. This spilled over into some assaults on sabs, which unsurprisingly failed to deter us.

A trail was produced, no doubt for our benefit, which the hounds followed for a matter of seconds before being moved on elsewhere by the Huntsman.

We followed them back to the meet where they packed up at about 15.30. All in all a very successful day. Until next time...

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Sabs prevent Essex FH with 5 terriermen from hunting

5-10-19  Facebook - Norwich Hunt Saboteurs   Hit report, 5/10/2019 - Essex Foxhounds - Blackmore, Stubbers Farm    Today we met up with our usual pals SES - Suffolk And Essex, South Cambs and Cambridge Hunt Saboteurs to visit the Essex Hunt.

Our job was made easy for us today - thanks to good communication between groups and careful positioning, sabs kept on top of the hunt all morning and they didn't get a chance to hunt. This clearly wasn't their intention as they had 5 terriermen out ready to dig.

After a bit of a ride around the countryside trying (unsuccessfully) to lose us, the Hunt packed up, no kills. The Hunt's frustration really showed when one terrierman stuck up his entire middle finger at sabs. Those affected are currently seeking counselling as a result of the incident.

Today was a straightforward day but took a fair bit of driving so please help us if you can – https://ko-fi.com/N4N0HF6M.

Antis keep Berkeley FH on move and unable to cub hunt properly

3-10-19  Facebook - Bristol Hunt Saboteurs     Berkeley Hunt – 03/10/19    Between work and the badger cull we’ve struggled to get people out during the week recently, but on hearing that the Berkeley would be out cub hunting this morning we managed to get together a small crew at the last minute, along with Mendip Hunt Sabs and Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch.

We bumped into the Hunt at 7.30 as they were just leaving the meet between Elberton and Littleton-upon-Severn. Hounds were put into corn fields and woods in an attempt to find foxes, but each time they started to pick up on any scent sabs ‘rated’ them (telling them to stop), which in turn made the Huntsman gather them up and run to get away from sabs.

Great team work and communication meant that when one group no longer had the Hunt in their sights then the other did, with persistent sabs popping up with the Huntsman whenever he settled in one place to try and do some hunting.

Sabs stuck with them until they packed up shortly after 10am, a very successful morning!

The Berkeley Hunt, and the Berkeley Estate, are heavily involved in the culling of badgers to the north of Bristol. Check out the great work Avon Against the Badger Cull have been doing, and give them a message if you’re able to help out or have any useful information.

Berkeley Hunt, we’ll be seeing you...

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Portman cub hunt blatantly, hunt through bTb infected farm

Also let pack run through a herd of young heifers

3-10-19  Facebook - North Dorset Hunt Saboteurs     2/10/19, Portman @ Higher Farm, Chettle    Thanks to an informant we knew where the Portman were meeting this morning. Knowing this area well, and easily predicting their movements, our small team were with them from the off. Leaving the meet just before dawn, the Hunt moved south towards Long Barrow. Between here and North Farm they spent some time searching the network of small copses and a maize field, with team 1 hot on their heels. With hounds cast all over the place,they drew a blank (with this becoming the theme of the day) and eventually moved through North Farm off towards Tarrent Gunville.

Sabs were eventually joined by the Portman's new 'hunt stewards'. We are still not sure what purpose these individuals are supposed to be serving, though they are an occasional source of entertainment. For a group of people so quick to remind of us of the law, you may want to have a look at Section 34(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA 1988) that states, anyone driving a mechanically propelled vehicle, for example a motor car, on a road that is a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway is guilty of an offence unless it can be shown that there is a private right in place for people to use the access way to gain vehicular access to their property. Naughty, naughty!

The Hunt eventually reappeared at Chettle Long Barrow, where the next team of sabs were already waiting for them. The field were made to wait in a dark corner of a field, while Tom Lyle (Huntsman) and Josh Clarke (whipper in) cast the hounds through the northern end of Little Wood. Josh remained at the northern corner while the Huntsman joined the hounds within the wood. Here they remained for some time with hounds briefly going into cry at one point. The outcome of them picking up here is unknown.

In a desperate attempt to gain back control of his hounds, the Huntsman ended up on foot, emerging from the dense cover to then take hounds north along a hedge line. The field, who by this time must have been cold and incredibly bored, were then allowed to move on to the next cover, Hatts Coppice.

The usual positions were taken by the Hunt to ensure this copse was surrounded, in case a fox tried to reak cover. Sabs split up to get into a position to cover the line of any fleeing wildlife. Here several member of the Hunt (including the Huntsman) were seen and heard rolling their tongues and slapping their saddles (see video in comments) to keep foxes in the cover. Again, a dead give-away that the Portman continue to ignore the laws surrounding hunting. We may as well just copy and paste these reports week after week!

Again, drawing a blank, they tried Chettle Chase Coppice further north with no success. Some riders were overheard venting their frustrations over an appalling morning spent doing bugger all, and tensions between staff seemed to be running a little high. Maybe Josh is fed up of picking up the slack because Tom Lyle is such an appalling Huntsman...?

Hounds were then taken at speed across Dunspit Lane where monitors were able to keep tabs on them. After traveling further south, crossing the Jubilee Trail, what ensued next was absolute chaos. The pack were completely split with hounds being spotted both sides of the road going through Chettle, behind a farmhouse near New Coppice, the other side of the road near Chettle House, and running amok though a herd of young heifers. Now, earlier in the morning they had already been through North Farm (video in comments) the other side of the road. Only last month their herd had tested positive for TB. When will DEFRA and the MFHA wake up and realise that Hunts are contributing to the spread of disease across the south west? 67,259 badgers have been killed in the Government’s badger cull policy since 2013, with a further target of 64,400 for this year alone. Hunts are a bio-security risk, so why are farmers turning a blind eye?

After finally gaining control of the pack, the Hunt trotted off back to the meet at around 10:45. Sabs were in the area before sunrise today, and not a single person was seen laying this supposed "trail" they talk about following. Dorset Police were recently quoted on social media saying “We don't avoid the issue of illegal hunting; if you suspect illegal hunting please contact Dorset Police and these allegations will be investigated by trained wildlife crime officers who are specially trained to investigate this type of crime.” A call was made to them on this morning and evidence has been sent as they request people to do. Will it be investigated or just brushed under the carpet like all the other reports of illegal hunting we and others have made? Answers on a postcard...

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