Cheshire Forest Hunt says 'robust self-regulation' the way forward

Members and supporters of the Cheshire Forest Hunt, mounted and unmounted, assembled at the Astley Showground on Saturday, September 14, as part of a 30-hunt strong National Trail Hunt Day, organised by the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA).

Trail hunting has been in development since the hunting ban came into force in 2005, and aims to simulate traditional fox hunting as closely as possible.

A person lays a trail of animal-derived scent over hunting country, mimicking the way a real fox’s odour appears to the hounds, meaning they can conduct their work in the most natural way possible. 

However, critics of trail hunting have called it a smokescreen to conceal the illegal hunting of live quarry, as to the untrained eye, the two activities can look very similar.

They also say it gives huntsmen a defence in law should a fox be killed, as it makes it tough to prove in court the killing was intentional.

Joint master of the Cheshire Forest Hunt, Liz Gorse, says trail hunting has come a long way in the last 20 years (Image: Newsquest)

In light of this, Labour’s 2024 election manifesto pledged to ban trial hunting, as well as introduce harsher penalties for huntsmen found guilty of crimes under the Hunting Act, including prison sentences.  

Liz Gorse, joint master of the Cheshire Forest Hunt, says hunts up and down the country oppose the move, instead favouring more robust self-regulation, which she says is already in place.   

She said: “Trail hunting has got a bad name for itself in the press, but a lot of people just don’t understand it.

While working foxhounds are very friendly, Liz says they don't make good pets - 'They would rather eat your sofa than sit on it' (Image: Newsquest) “Our National Trail Hunting Day is about being fully open and transparent about what we do.  

“No mammals are chased now. We don’t hunt foxes, and if a hare gets up, the whippers-in can call them off. They’re fully under control.

“When we first started trail hunting after the ban, it was difficult to get right. We were going in a straight line so fast it didn’t resemble hunting at all.

“We’ve slowed it right down now. The idea is to simulate a traditional day in the country following hounds.

Professional huntsman, Fraser Campbell, is employed and housed by the Cheshire Forest Hunt (Image: Newsquest) “We do things like twists and turns on the trail, doubling back on ourselves, and breaking it to allow the hounds to cast – that is, lose it and find it again.

“I’ve worked with three huntsmen since the ban, and Fraser, our current one, has got the hounds spot on as far as obedience goes.”

Asked whether the sport of trail hunting is a smokescreen to cover up illegal fox hunting, Liz said: “Absolutely not.

“We weren’t perfect to start with, but it was an entirely new sport. We’ve mastered it now.

Huntsman, Fraser Campbell, giving the hounds a rest after completing their first trail at Saturday's (September 14) event (Image: Newsquest)

“In the past, there have been accidents, and people have been held accountable. But of around 250,000 days out following hounds since the ban, there have been about 23 prosecutions.

“The BHSA has had a revamp over the last few years and they’re coming down hard on offending hunts.

“They forced the Cotswold and Avon Vale hunts to disband over serious matters which, even back in the 1960s, wouldn’t have been acceptable.

Professional show jumper and eventer, Hayden Hankey, is regularly out with the Cheshire Forest Hunt (Image: Newsquest)

“But it doesn’t follow all trail hunts are breaking the law.

“What’s needed is proper, robust self-regulation. We’re all for that.

“If trial hunting is banned totally, it’ll be a huge loss.

“Hounds live in kennels and don’t make brilliant pets. They'd rather eat your sofa than sit on on it.  A full ban would mean a lot of healthy animals would have to be put down.

“Hunts could be better regulated - that’s completely doable. But I don’t think the law needs to be changed. It would mean the end for us.”