Reports

Protect the Wild’s extensive research project into the observations and findings of hunt saboteur and monitor groups during both the 2022 -23 and 2023-24 hunting seasons.

Our two reports utilise a combination of data from anti-hunting groups, public reports, and activist observations to evaluate the prevalence and impact of hunting on wildlife, communities, and individuals.

Key Findings:

The reports reveal alarming findings, including:

• Widespread hunting of foxes, deer, and hares despite the Hunting Act 2004 legislation.
• Despite legislative strides, the Hunting Act has failed to eradicate wildlife persecution, with many hunts persisting in illegal practices nearly two decades after the ban.
• Matt Longman, the Police Chiefs’ Council lead on hunting, contends that trail hunting serves as a smokescreen for illegal fox hunting, exploiting loopholes in the Hunting Act and undermining its enforcement.
• The financial burden of policing hunting events is significant, exemplified by the £14,322 spent on policing the Kent Hounds’ Boxing Day parade, highlighting the costs involved in managing these activities.
• Gloucestershire Police stands out for its active response to hunting-related incidents, issuing fines and taking decisive actions during operations, contrasting with reported instances of inadequate response in other regions.
• Violence associated with hunts remains a concern, with documented cases of physical assaults on anti-hunting activists, highlighting safety risks and community tensions exacerbated by these activities.
• Traffic offences and road havoc are widespread within the hunting industry, with quad bikes following the hunt regularly seen with more passengers than they’re legally allowed to carry on a public road as well as missing front and rear number plates.
• A significant portion of hunts remained unobserved, potentially leading to higher fox-chasing and killing incidents than reported.
• The impact of trail hunting, despite purported regulatory frameworks, includes instances where hounds inadvertently or intentionally chase live quarry, raising questions about the effectiveness of
  current oversight. The very presence of packs of hounds in the countryside is a threat to wildlife even if not actively hunting.