Holderness Hunt expects large turnout
HUNT leaders in the East Yorkshire today said support was on the increase as they prepare for the first meet of the season.
The number of riders and supporters was expected to fall away following the controversial ban on hunting with hounds or dogs.
But the ban has raised the profile of the pastime and led to hunts, such as the Holderness, showing they can stick to the law.
Hundreds of horse riders and foot followers will be at the hunt's opening showcase meeting of the season at Rise Park, near Skirlaugh, on Saturday.
Holderness Hunt's professional huntsman David Elliott, who is based at its kennels in Etton, near Beverley, said hunting had become more popular since the ban.
He said: "People see the ban as a threat to the rural way of life and are keen to support us, whether they be riders or foot followers.
"We have definitely seen an increase in both lots of supporters since the ban and we regularly get more than 100 followers on horseback.
"The hunt has had a programme of pre-season early morning hunts to train young hounds, and we have been surprised at how many people attended them."
The legislation bans hunts from setting out with hounds to kill a fox, but they can get round the rules by following a synthetic trail or using two hounds to flush out a fox that can then be shot.
Hunters showing no intent to chase or kill a fox are acting within the controversial law, which they are fighting to get overturned through the Countryside Alliance.
Barry Hugill, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said a recent Mori poll showed 75 per cent of people believed the ban was right and should remain.
He said: "We have no problem with hunts that act within the law, but we will have monitors out watching for those who act illegally."
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by giles, Rose Ash
Monday, October 27 2008, 7:14AM
“Stacey, Hull
No worries xx
No offense intended!”
by giles, Rose Ash
Monday, October 27 2008, 7:13AM
“Curious, Hull
the deer outrun the dogs. It woud take ages to catch up with them. Another reason i am against havong to shoot them , it's far too much effort!”
by Basil, In his lair
Friday, October 24 2008, 8:23PM
“What do you call a farmer with 2 sheep ?..................a bigamist ,BOOM BOOM”
by BEN, DOVER
Friday, October 24 2008, 4:45PM
“TOO MUCH PC, BRING BACK HUNTING , I WOULD LOVE TO GO ON A SEAL CULL, HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME,”
by Curious, Hull
Friday, October 24 2008, 3:50PM
“Giles, having just logged onto this site I've been very interested when reading your comments. I wonder if you could tell me how you stop your dogs from injuring the deer after it has been flushed out? Are they muzzled or is it just a case of the deer being able to run faster...?”
by Stacey, Hull
Friday, October 24 2008, 3:46PM
“I said I sympathised with you and didn't know you didn't kill them. I meant that if you did kill them, did you know you can sell the meat if you didn't want to eat the meat. I was trying to help you - did you read it properly? I'm on your side?”
by bluelou, in Cognito
Friday, October 24 2008, 3:46PM
“Giles.
All very valid reasons.
I especially like number 3 !
I was not implying that you should shoot them, just curious as to why you didn't , given your comment regarding the deforestation problem.
Do you at least look like Hugh Laurie ?!”
by giles bradshw, Rose Ash
Friday, October 24 2008, 2:19PM
“"I just wanted to let you know that if you kill deer legally"
I realise that i just prefer to illegally not kill them.
I find it more fun and the law is an ass so why not?
xx”
by giles bradshaw, Rose Ash
Friday, October 24 2008, 2:17PM
“"I just find you boring."
It strikes me that people who post to say that someone else is boring them are really pushing tediousness to the limits.”
by giles bradshaw, Rose Ash
Friday, October 24 2008, 2:15PM
“"Why don't you shoot the deer you flush then ?"
several reasons.
1) I like looking at them.
2) they benefit my woodland as long as controlled to an extent
3) I have no gun.
4) It would massively upset my children
5) It would annoy the neighbours
6) I don't want to
7) It would hurt them and if I don't want to kill them I don't see why I should have to.”