The Hunting Act: Seventeen years on

Seventeen years ago today the Hunting Act came into force in England and Wales. The majority of packs held a final meet on 17th February 2005 before having to change their modus operandi the very next day to comply with the new law. Those opposed to hunting thought that would be the end, that the hunting community would give in and tail off to take up other, less contentious pastimes. But they had seriously underestimated those who live and work in the countryside.

Mass gatherings took place on the first Saturday after the new legislation was enforced with the press reporting "huge crowds lining country roads as more than 200 hunts across England and Wales set off to hunt within the law". It was the first major test since traditional hunting was outlawed two days before and there was a definite determination for hunts to not only survive, but to thrive, despite the challenges the new legislation presented.

Seventeen years on and the resilience of those dedicated to hunting with hounds has ensured that those packs of hounds are still walking out from kennels every morning. Hounds still meet at 11am in every corner of the country and aside from the odd day cancelled due to inclement weather, the only thing that has managed to force a temporary suspension to hunting activities during those past 17 years has been a global pandemic.

Thankfully this season lawful hunting activities have been able to continue uninterrupted and the support for Boxing Day and festive meets has proven that following hounds is as popular as ever and remains a vital part of the fabric of the countryside.

We cannot celebrate what is ultimately a bad law today, but we can celebrate the fact that the majority of hunts continue to carry out their lawful hunting activities at least twice a week with those involved reaping the many economic, social, physical and mental health benefits that hunting provides across multiple generations.

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