On the 12th of October the Quantock Staghounds met in West Bagborough, an area which falls within the constituency of Liberal Democrats MP Rachel Gilmour. Rachel has recently spoken publicly about her support for “trail” hunting, presenting what is a grim and violent reality as something that reads like a Disney fairytale.
Although stag hunts do not profess to “trail” hunt, like their fox hunting counterparts, they too manipulate the current law, exploiting loopholes to ensure the continuation of barbarism that brings terror to the countryside.
Rachel’s comments come at a time when sickening reports of hunting in the area are piling up, and you would think someone who has previously worked as Head of Strategy at the Environment Agency, would have a greater understanding of the countryside and the views of those that live there.
12th of October 2026
North Dorset Hunt Sabs and Mendip Hunt Sabs were joined by Holford Against Hunting as they sabbed the Quantock Staghounds. Reports and video footage from the day detail how a hunted stag crossed the path of sabs and was subsequently seen to safety, thanks to them calling the hounds off.
More stags were chased throughout the day, with one seeking refuge on land owned by the League Against Cruel Sports. Reports also detail how two pairs of hounds were out at the same time; only two hounds are permitted to be used under the relevant legal exemptions within the Hunting Act.
However, since the reports were published there has been a disturbing update.
At 4:30pm, two members of the public were travelling along the A39 between Nether Stowey and Holford when they came across the hunt. As we continue to see, rabid hunt supporters will line roads, making as much noise as possible to prevent stags from crossing as they seek safety. This incident was no different, except that what was described as a “gigantic stag” ran across the road and collided with a vehicle.
A witness described how the terrified stag “was flipped over the top of the car. Its leg kicked out smashing the rear nearside window. The Stag landed heavily on the verge.”
The driver of the vehicle was a young woman with a small child on board, and thankfully, neither of them sustained any injuries, but both were badly shaken up. The hunt, showing absolutely no concern or regard for the members of the public who had been involved in or witnessed this horrific incident, fled the scene as police were called.
The witness went on to say that, despite looking for the stag, they couldn’t see him. Sabs have since reported that it is believed the stag did get away and was not killed by the hunt. However, after being hit by the car, there is no way of knowing what injuries he sustained or whether or not he ultimately survived this horrifying ordeal.
Excuses, excuses
Stag hunts often try to use the excuse of dispatching an injured or sick deer to justify their barbaric actions. However, on this occasion, when there was clearly an injured stag, albeit as a result of their actions, they were quick to flee the scene.
In her recent defence of “trail” hunting, Rachel Gilmour has claimed that hunt meets offer “companionship to retirees and widowers who might otherwise face isolation and loneliness.” She also added that hunting “forms part of a long and richly woven rural social fabric that binds farms, villages and families together through shared work, ritual, and memories.”
Her comments are a far cry from the realities of hunting. Many people living within these communities are not only opposed to it but are also put in grave danger every time these hunts go out.
It’s not just stag hunting taking place under Rachel’s nose
As well as stag hunts operating in Rachel’s constituency, the Tiverton Foxhounds’ kennels are also located within it.
On the 10th of October 2026 they met in Rackenford, an area represented by Rachel’s Liberal Democrats’ colleague Ian Roome. A Devon County Hunt Sabs report from the day details how “one fox after another” was chased as they kept watch from the ground and used their drone.
Rachel’s comments which attempt to romanticise hunting, are part of a continuing debate following Tiverton Town Council’s decision in November 2025 to declare the hunt’s Boxing Day meet “unwelcome.”
Regardless of how MPs such as Rachel Gilmour, and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who has been branded as ‘out of touch’ for her pro hunt comments, try to paint a nostalgic and sentimental picture of hunting, the vast majority of the public are standing firm, armed with the facts: that not only are hunts operating illegally, but hunting is also a cruel pastime which should have been consigned to the history books long ago.
The incident on the 12th of October is one of many, in a long line of violent acts carried out by stag hunts, who continue to put members of the public in harm’s way. Local communities must be protected from their behaviour, and the issuing of Community Protection Warnings and Notices to these hunts is long overdue.
A pattern of dangerous behaviour
On the 1st of October 2026, the Quantock Staghounds caused chaos on a road at Merridge Hill as hounds and horse riders spilled out in front of traffic in pursuit of a fleeing stag. They had spent over three hours searching for him in miscanthus grass, using at least four hounds. Again, this was a blatant breach of the Hunting Act, which permits only two hounds to be used at one time under the relevant exemptions.
The report from the 12th of October is reminiscent of another incident which occurred only seven weeks earlier, on the 24th of August, again during a meet of the Quantock Staghounds.
Incredible footage captured by Dorset Borders Sabs and North Dorset Hunt Sabs shows the moment a stag leapt over hunt supporters who had lined the road, in an attempt to prevent his escape. This could very easily have been another incident in which a member of the public was caught up in their sadistic acts.
Just one week after the stag was hit by a car the Quantock Staghounds were seen racing along the A39, a main road near Dowsborough Hill Fort, as hounds were being encouraged onto the scent towards the road. Thankfully on this occasion the stag did not break onto the road and managed to evade the hunt. However, this behaviour is further evidence that the Quantock Staghounds are out of control, with absolutely no regard for members of the public.
The current law is no deterrent
Back in September, we reported that the Quantock Staghounds hunt master Chris Gibbons and huntsman Martin Watts had both been charged by Avon and Somerset Police with hunting a wild mammal with dogs, in relation to an incident on the 16th of March 2026. Watts faces a further charge relating to an incident which took place on the 23rd of April 2026, when a stag was pursued through a working quarry.
Despite these charges, the Quantock Staghounds continue to wreak havoc in the countryside, putting members of the public in danger, causing them distress and terrorising wildlife.
What you can do
In response to the ever-growing list of terrifying and sickening incidents taking place at the hands of all three remaining stag hunts, Action Against Staghunting is organising a peaceful march, beginning at the bus station in Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, at 11am on Saturday, October 24th. If you are in the area and are able to attend, then this is an opportunity for you to take a stand against stag hunting.
As previously stated, the incident on the 12th of October took place within the constituency of MP Rachel Gilmour. If you are one of Rachel’s constituents, then we urge you to contact her, and impress upon her how important it is that she takes action. Thankfully, no members of the public were physically hurt this time, but who knows what will happen next, should the Quantock Staghounds be allowed to continue behaving this way? You can contact Rachel at [email protected]
Or if you are a resident of Somerset, please contact your MP and ask them to take action.
We would like to thank the sab groups mentioned in this article. You can show your support for them by clicking the links on their group names: Mendip Hunt Sabs North Dorset Hunt Sabs Dorset Borders Hunt Sabs and Devon County Hunt Sabs
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