Fans of trail hunting claim it is being unfairly maligned - but animal groups have been seeking an end to the practice for many years.

They cite examples of illegal practices where hounds end up chasing live prey and claim trail hunts can be used as a "smokescreen" for hunting animals.

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Trail hunting involves setting a pre-laid scent trail for hounds to follow and was created in the wake of an impending ban on hunting with dogs which came into force in 2005.

Labour listed the ban on trail hunting among its manifesto pledges in 2024 and plans to make good on the promise after firing the starting gun on a consultation process on March 26.

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Colin Hackshall - a 69-year-old from Loddon who has retired from the wholesale food industry - has been a lifelong enthusiast of hunting, and in the last 20 years, of trail hunting.

Just over a month ago he retired as joint master of the Waveney & North Norfolk Harriers but remains involved.

"We all knew this was coming honestly," he says. "It's sad to see."

Critics say the hunts disturb wildlife but a couple who let their dog off the lead will be doing the same and will have less control over their animals, he argues.

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The Labour government is "attacking the countryside left, right and centre", he complains.

If the ban goes through as planned it could cause real economic harm in rural communities - as well as much heartache, he adds.

His hunt employs one full-timer at its kennels between Halesworth and Bungay while another three or four people come along and help out daily.

Hunts are held once or twice a week in season, crossing land with owners' permission and depending heavily on volunteers, he says.

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The hounds are "really well controlled" and support in country communities where they operate in Suffolk and Norfolk is big, he adds.

An outright ban could mean the end of a way of life - and of the kennels and associated business and infrastructure, trail hunt fans fear.

"You have got roughly 250 packs of hounds in this country and if you take an average of 25 couple (50 hounds per kennel) that will be 12,5000 hounds that will have to be destroyed," Colin estimates.

"The dog charities can't take them because they are overflowing - you have got to rehouse those.

"There'll be a lot of horses sadly that will be excess to requirements."

Hunts "go wrong" by straying from the trail and towards live prey a miniscule number of times, he claims. Young hounds under training are the ones more likely to be distracted.

This can happen too with other types of hunts such as drag hunts using human scent, he claims.

"Bloodhounds they get it wrong sometimes," he says. "It's just natural instinct."

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Trail hunting takes place in the winter months, he explains, because the scent sits on the ground - as heat makes it rise.

But he feels that trail hunts - as opposed to drag hunts - have had a bad press.

"It's a very emotional subject. I know we put hounds down when they get old, but you put your pet down when it gets old. They are all well loved," he says.

Farriers and feed merchants, saddlers and clothing and vehicle retailers will be among those hit, he warns. "The list goes on of what it will affect," he says. "It's going to put a lot of people out of work."

He cites ex-prime minister Tony Blair who took the 2004 hunt ban legislation through parliament but said later in his memoirs that he regretted the measures.

"There's always going to be something people don't want you to do. They think we are all toffs."

The image is undeserved, he says. The make-up of hunts has changed with social mobility and people on the hunt now come from all walks of life.

"We are ordinary working people. A hundred years ago, yes, maybe," he says.

"I hope they come up with a sensible solution rather than shut the door," he adds. "That's what we are all hoping for - that there will be a future for us to carry on trailing."

Oli Beckerlegge - joint master of the Essex & Suffolk Hunt - says as a sport they have "totally changed our practices since 2004 to do exactly what the government – and campaigners - asked us to do".

His hunt - operating about 60% in south Suffolk and 40% in north Essex - has 66 hounds (33 couple).

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It employs four people full time and one part-timer consisting of two full time grooms, one whip and one huntsman and one part-time groom.

“A ban on trail hunting is not necessary and doesn’t make any sense," he says.

"The hounds follow a scent trail and do not chase wildlife – anyone can come and watch us during the season, and see for themselves that trail hunting is a legitimate sport, conducted to the highest standards."

He adds: "At the time we were told that trail hunting was a perfect adaptation, which would be acceptable to even the most fervent opponents.

"Now we are told that trail hunting will be banned too. We are 100% compliant with the law.

"Introducing a ban will simply inflict more damage on rural communities, many of whom are already bearing the brunt of other misguided policies.”

The Hunt Saboteurs Association says the focus for the last 20 years has been on the 2004 Hunting Act which banned hunting with hounds.

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But this has been criticised as having too many loopholes, allowing hunting with hounds to continue under the "guise" of trail hunting. 

The method of setting a pre-laid animal-based scent can result in wild animals, including foxes and hares, being injured or killed by dogs, as well as household pets in some cases, it argues.

"The nature of trail hunting makes it difficult to ensure wild animals are not placed in danger as a result of dogs picking up their scent, as opposed to the intended animal-based scent trail," it says.

"We want alternative practices such as drag hunting and clean‑boot hunting, which use non‑animal scents, to continue to thrive.

"We recognise that hunts can support jobs and local businesses, and bring people together across the countryside.

"We are committed to ensuring that responsible rural pursuits, where there is no risk to our precious wildlife, can continue."

Animal welfare minister Baroness Sue Hayman introduced the legislative process to work towards the ban.

"The nature of trail hunting makes it difficult to ensure wild and domestic animals are not put at risk of being killed or injured - that is clearly unacceptable," she said at the launch of the consultation.

"We understand that this is a complex issue and so we are seeking views from everyone with an interest to help shape how we bring this forward."

 The public consultation on trail hunting runs until June 18.

© Eastern Daily Press