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Last summer, the HSA was contacted on several occasions by members of the public who had the misfortune to encounter mink hunters while out enjoying the countryside. With this in mind, the HSA has produced the following guide to this little-known form of hunting.
Mink hunting is an illegal summer bloodsport that involves hunting and killing mink with packs of hounds. Some mink hunts actively target otters and all of these summer hunts cause substantial disturbance to the fragile riverside environment.
Mink are semi-aquatic animals so mink hunts always take place near a water source – this could be anything from a broad, slow-running river to a fast-flowing stream or fishing lake.
The meet – where they gather before setting off hunting – may consist of nothing more than a few vehicles parked up at a farmyard or another convenient location near the river. Mink hunts will occasionally meet at pubs, though this is much less common than in the past – in this case, they usually van on to the waters to be hunted.
There isn’t a formal mink hunting season, but most packs meet between April and late September. Traditionally, they meet on Saturdays and one afternoon or evening mid-week, but this pattern has changed in an effort to avoid hunts sabs. You might therefore encounter a mink hunt on any day of the week and at any time of day.
Mink hunting proceeds on foot at the height of spring and summer. Mink hunters can therefore be difficult to spot as they wend their way slowly through the rich riverside environment. The hounds may not be visible – they may well be in the water – and the followers can be strung out over some distance. You may well hear a burst of the horn or the sound of hounds in cry before you see them.
The extravagant and brightly coloured otter hunt uniforms of the past have largely been replaced by more discreet country wear. The huntsman and whippers-in may wear official hunt waistcoats or gilets, but generally mink hunt dress is very informal. The followers will be carrying long sticks – known as otter poles – which they use to navigate the riverside environment. Unlike in other forms of hunting, mink pack followers are actively involved in the chase, and they may therefore be seen beating areas of undergrowth or riverbank to help flush out the quarry.
Both mink and otters will go to ground in burrows or tree roots when pursued by hounds. For this reason, terriermen will always be present on a mink hunt. The image below, of the Dove Valley Mink Hounds terriermen, is typical – note the terriers, spades and T-bar being carried. As we have recently highlighted, hunted mink will also seek refuge in trees, so don’t be surprised if the hunters are seen lifting terriers up into pollarded willows or using their otter poles or other implements to poke about in branches.
On a mink hunt there will be between ten and twenty hounds. These are likely to be a motley collection of foxhounds and woollier-looking otterhounds or otterhound crosses. Only one pack – the Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire – is composed entirely of otterhounds.
The first thing to say is that you must always prioritise your own safety at all times. Make a note of your precise location and start filming if possible – this is for your protection. If you believe a crime is in progress, you may want to call the police.
If you can gather evidence covertly, focus your attention on the huntsman – the person with the horn – and the terriermen, while remembering that all those present are active participants. Footage of obvious hunting activity such as hounds in cry, terriermen digging up a riverbank, or followers trying to dislodge mink from trees etc. is particularly valuable. If you become aware of the meet location then this, together with photographs of all vehicles in attendance, is also helpful information.
If you choose to politely engage the hunters they may claim to be “out for a walk”, “exercising hounds” or “hunting rats and rabbits” all of which are, of course, complete nonsense. Being rumbled in this way may bring the hunt to a halt but it might also provoke them into aggression – so be very careful.
Any footage or other information on mink hunting can be sent to the HSA where it will put to good use and treated in the strictest confidence. Please either contact us on our Tip-Off Line on 07443 148 426 or via our contact page.
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