The recent conviction of packs such as the Stowe School Beagles, the Pipewell Foot Beagles and the Dorset & Somerset Bassets have highlighted the ongoing issue of illegal hare hunting.
But far from being deterred by their paltry fines, these and other packs will shortly be beginning their programme of illegal leveret hunting.
As with fox hunting, beagles must be trained to hunt and kill their quarry. Leverets – young hares – present an easy target for the new and inexperienced hounds. The pack of beagles are taken to open fields and encouraged to search for hares and leverets. Unlike in main season hunting, the hunters do not want a long chase. They will even turn escaping leverets back towards the hounds to ensure a quick kill.
Leveret hunting usually takes place in September and early October but can start as soon as crops are cleared. The hunters meet early in the morning – from 6am onwards – because that is when the scent is best for new, inexperienced hounds and because the countryside is very quiet.
Fox hunters have tried to rebrand their cub hunting as ’autumn’ hunting. However, beaglers recognise that hunting young hares is so horrendous that they simply deny it exists. A brief look at their literature – from the days when they were a little more open and honest – reveals otherwise:
“…young hounds should be allowed to get away on a well-grown leveret rather than an old, experienced hare.” – ‘Early Hunting Lessons’ chapter in ‘Beagling’ by J.C. Jeremy Hobson.
“…hounds are taken out in the early morning or late afternoon. This is for the hare hunters equivalent of cub hunting; some masters, in fact, call the period “leveret hunting.” – ‘Hunts and Countries’ chapter in ‘Beaglers’ by Jack Ivester Lloyd
“In order to get young hounds trained to hunt they start hunting in the very early morning or evening once the harvest is clear usually in August or September. They are accompanied only by invitation of the Master for this beagling equivalent of the foxhunter’s cub-hunting.” – An Introduction To Beagling by Iain Clarke.
Obviously, a pack of small beagle hounds in the middle of a field is a give-away. There will be few people present as only the most trusted supporters are invited to attend these secret hunts. Don’t expect the hunters to be in uniform – they don’t usually wear this until the main season.
If it is safe to do so, filming the hunters will often be enough to stop them in their tracks. Try to film key individuals and their vehicles. Please then pass this information to the Hunt Saboteurs Association tip-off line on: 07443 148426.
Hunting leverets with dogs is illegal so, if you believe a crime is in progress, call the police straight away.
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