Seven years since the 2004 Hunting Act came into force, hunts are thriving and continuing to hunt within the law, says the Countryside Alliance (CA).

As opening hunt meets take place around the country, a survey commissioned by the CA has revealed more people follow hunts now than before the ban, and that hunts feel better supported by their local communities.

It also found that 93 per cent of hunts operate at least as frequently now as they did before the ban, and that most still assist farmers and other land managers by culling foxes.

CA executive chairman Sir Barney White-Spunner said: ?It is immensely encouraging that seven years on from the ban, hunts are in good heart.

The rest of this article appears in the 31st October issue of Shooting Times.

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