Illegal Hare Hunting Underway Across the Country

“Where September bye days are fixed, as the beagling equivalent of cub hunting, every effort should be made to meet on ground which is known to carry a good stock of hares and if possible, the young hounds should be allowed to get away on a good size leveret rather than an old, experienced hare”

‘Beagling’ by JC Jeremy Hobson, 1987

In those heady days, when many in the hunting world still believed they were safe from our attentions the hunters were a little more honest about what happens in the early part of the season with beagle and basset packs. They meet in the early mornings or late afternoon, as with cub hunting with foxhunts, to avoid the heat of a late summer’s midday.

The unscrupulous fox hunters have attempted to conceal their cub hunting by rebranding it as “autumn” hunting. However, beaglers know that hunting young hares is so abhorrent that they simply deny it takes place. Just like in fox hunting, the hare hounds must also be trained to hunt and kill their prey. To this end, packs of beagles, including new and inexperienced hounds, are taken to open fields and encouraged to search for hares and leverets. In their own words the hunters tell us that …

“…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.”

‘Beaglers’ by Jack Ivester Lloyd

Unlike the main season hunting, a swift and efficient hunt is preferable to a prolonged chase. To ensure a successful kill, the beaglers may turn escaping leverets back towards the hounds.

Hunt members will be dressed inconspicuously to minimize visibility. The number of attendees will be significantly reduced, with only a select group of dedicated supporters invited. These supporters will be actively involved in the hunt, assisting in “turning” young hares fleeing back into the pursuing pack of hounds, ensuring successful kills.

Shy at the best of times, beaglers are paranoically keen to avoid sabs, and even a member of the public with a camera will have many packs scurrying away. The high likelihood of a camera catching beagles, and the hunted hare in the same shot, is publicity they’d rather avoid. Though, make no mistake, this is what they do, eight months a year, two or three days a week, tearing apart this beautiful, mystical animal, for their sick pleasure.

If you think you are witnessing leveret hunting:

If it is safe to do so, filming the hunters will often be enough to stop them in their tracks.

Hunting hares and leverets with dogs is illegal so, if you believe a crime is in progress, call the police straight away.

Please also call the Hunt Saboteurs Association tip-off line on: 07443 148426