Early November hunting update - the hunts are still at it

In this October hunting news update, the Beaufort Hunt are caught red-handed once again, Wiltshire Hunt Sabs expose a shocking fox kill, and yet another huntmaster walks free despite clear evidence of illegal hunting.

Beaufort Hunt caught red handed, again

Caught in the act! Via Wiltshire Hunt Sabs

On 11 October the notorious Beaufort Hunt were tracked down by sabs from Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs (WHS), Bristol Hunt Saboteurs (BHS), Reading Hunt Saboteurs (RHS) and Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch. They found the Beaufort at Allen Grove near Badminton.

WHS wrote on their Facebook page:

“Our sabs set off for the next draw. Allen Grove. Historically deer carcasses have always been dumped in Allen Grove to encourage foxes to breed in the Artifical Earths within the woods. It’s a macabre woods indeed.

Foot sabs went in and approached just as whistles were heard. They alerted the drone to the whistles and they captured the huntsman’s hunting horn doubling.”

Wiltshire Sabs’ drone captured images of a fox being flushed from vegetation as hunt staff were standing by. The fox was chased by the “baying hounds” in front of the crowd of riders and hunt supporters. WHS wrote:

“Don’t believe the ghoulish bystanders and paying riders when they feign ignorance of what they are funding and supporting”

The moments before the killing at Allen Grove

The Hunt sent terriermen on quad bikes - including terrierman Paul Duckett - to the edge of the wood that the fox had been chased into. They dismounted from their vehicles. Sabs suspect that they were going to retrieve the body of the fox.

Two foxes and a hare saved

The hunt continued with its cruel sport that day, chasing another two foxes and a hare. However the animals were saved by swift action by members of Reading and Bristol sabs.

WHS reported that they would be handing their footage onto Avon & Somerest Police, but that they wouldn’t be holding their breath for the police to do anything. They commented:

“Our footage will, once again, be passed to the police who will no-doubt sit upon it, until it is statute barred as they have done in so many cases. You’ll remember that Avon And Somerset Police allowed violent thugs Toni Ponting and ex Huntsman and Drone-criminal Tony Holdsworth get off with two assaults by sitting on the cases. Our expectations remain low, but our day will come.

As you will see when we publish the drone footage later, the poor fox didn’t really stand a chance.”

No strangers to controversy

The Beaufort were the subject of national controversy in 2021 after a long running investigation carried out by the Hunt Investigation Team and supported by Protect the Wild, revealed harrowing undercover footage showing them shooting dead four of their hounds.

The killing of the fox at Allen Grove and the swift action by sabs to save the lives of several other animals is proof once again that its the direct action of sabs and monitors that is the first line of defence for our wildlife.

• The killing of the fox at Allen Grove could have been fully documented if sabs had been equipped with a thermal drone. Donate to Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs to help them buy this vital bit of kit to help them continue to keep tabs on the Beaufort Hunt.

• Join your local monitor or hunt saboteur group.

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Grafton huntmaster found not guilty, despite clear evidence of killing

Roger James Brown, who is the huntmaster of the Grafton Hunt, was found not guilty of hunting a wild mammal with dogs after a fox was killed on the grounds of Stowe private school. He was also acquitted of being in charge of dogs which were dangerously out of control.

Brown appeared on 15 October at Milton Keynes Magistrates Court.

The charges relate to a hunting incident in November 2024 where the police received a report of a dead fox found inside the school grounds. The corpse was found after witnesses reported that they saw the fox being chased across the grounds while lessons were taking place. Brown initially appeared in court in June this year and entered a not guilty plea.

‘Children watched in horror’

Grafton Hunt Watch, which monitors the Grafton Hunt, wrote at the time:

“Teachers, parents and children watched in horror as the fox was chased across a sports field and into a building where witnesses had to see the poor fox “being torn to shreds.”

The group continued:

“This hunt is notorious and it is without a doubt hunting foxes illegally on a regular basis causing mayhem and distress in their wake.”

A dangerously out of control hunt

As Protect the Wild reported in 2023, a sheep was drowned after the Grafton’s hounds ran out of control in a farmer’s field. Several ewes, who were all pregnant, scattered, breaking out of their field, and some fled into a river to escape. Joint master, Charles Smyth-Osbourne said at the time that the hunt was... Guess what? conducting lawful trail hunting activities”, despite clear evidence indicating otherwise.

The failure to convict Brown over the killing at Stowe School clearly shows just how hard it is to secure a conviction for illegal hunting under the current legislation. In this instance multiple witnesses saw the fox being chased and the police were informed that a body had been found but Brown was still acquitted.

We need the government to make good on its promise to enact a proper ban on trail hunting.

• Despite the Hunting Act, wildlife persecution remains widespread in the UK. Hunts continue to exploit loopholes, such as ‘trail hunting’, to conduct illegal activities. Inconsistent enforcement of the Act further exacerbates the problem. Sign our petition demanding a proper ban on the hunting of mammals with hounds.

• Use Protect the Wild’s automated tool to email your MP and demand a proper ban on hunting.

• Read ‘20 Years On: The true face of hunting with hounds in 2025‘

Featured images via Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs, stag lying on grass via Scotland on Unsplash, Stowe School by Kevin Gordon on Wikimedia Commons. Sheep image via Uschi Duon Pixabay.