TRAIL Hunting
explained
What is trail hunting?
Trail hunting involves hounds following a pre-determined, pre-laid trail made from an animal-based scent, like fox urine.
Trail hunting emerged after the 2004 Hunting Act so cannot be considered traditional.
HOW DOES TRAIL HUNTING ENABLE ILLEGAL HUNTING?
Many believe trail hunting was purposely devised to circumvent the law to allow for illegal hunting to continue.
The scents used in trail hunting have all too often been laid in wildlife-sensitive areas which raises the chances of finding live animals. Trail hunters can claim that any pursuits of live animals are accidental. This makes it difficult for prosecutors to secure convictions under the Hunting Act.
wHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE THAT TRAIL HUNTING LEADS TO ILLEGAL HUNTING?
Numerous investigations and legal cases provide compelling evidence that trail hunting is routinely used to circumvent the law:
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In 2020 a now infamous leaked Zoom webinar of the Hunting Office (the governing body for registered hunts) released by the Hunt Saboteurs Association caught senior figures admitting trail hunting is a 'smokescreen' for illegal hunting.
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In 2021 the Director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association was found guilty at Westminster Magistrate's Court of using trail hunting as a deliberate disguise for traditional fox hunting.
why is it so hard to secure successful prosecutions?
Successful prosecution is a well-noted weakness in the current law despite numerous documented instances of foxes being chased and killed during Trail Hunts.
Prosecutors have to prove intent to secure a conviction under the Hunting Act 2004. This has allowed Trail Hunting to operate as a cover for illegal hunting activities as hunts can claim that any animal deaths are the result of accidents. Difficulty in proving intent also comes from trail hunts often taking place on private land away from public scrutiny.
Difficulty in securing prosecution has led campaigners to call for legislative reforms which include the addition of a 'recklessness clause' that would allow for prosecution even when intent is difficult to prove.