HAVING spoken to local villagers while out monitoring the local hunt, it’s become clear that media articles describing big increase in hunt support does not ring true at all.
In my view, any so-called “boom” probably just involves a small increase in people opposed to authority.
Not unlike a gang recruiting new members.
In fact, whilst out monitoring the hunt last Saturday in the Llanasa area, I met two residents from a neighbouring village who offered to ferry me around in their respective cars.
On the way round we got talking to others opposed to the hunt. They wanted to know why foxes were still being hunted and why their own right to a peaceful quiet life was still being shattered.
They also told me how many of those who go hunting are not even country folk, just townies playing the role of country gent.
Me skulking round in them there woods
Since I’ve been monitoring hunts, I've also noticed there are some in the hunt who will leave the pack before the end of a meet.
I'm assuming in some cases it might be because there's the likelihood of a kill - and so they don't want to witness the terriermen being brought in to complete their “evil” task.
This shows that some enjoy the hunt but might not enjoy the barbaric cruelty at the end.
Unfortunately others thirst for the bloody aftermath.
Don't get me wrong, to chase any animal with the sole purpose of killing it, is inhumane. The fact is, all gratuitous cruelty towards animals should not be happening in a civilised society.
We are supposed to be a nation of animal lovers, but we are failing our wildlife miserably and should be asking WHY?
Also, foxes are not the vicious vermin that hunts and supporters claim they are. How can they be? Animals are only considered vermin when they breed out of control, but foxes only breed once a year and are territorial so should not be classed a pest.
In a family controlling an entire area, only one vixen will mate with the dog fox. Not so those pets (given the chance) that we nurture and take into our homes.
So why are we still allowing those who support hunts and who use language that is simply not true, to control events?
I look forward to the day when MPs become less concerned with how many voters they can attract, and more to do with compassion.
But whilst they and the police authorities ignore the hunt ban and much of the media still supports killing for fun, there will never be peace in our countryside.
While monitoring the hunt near Llanasa, word seems to have got out that “Judi was seen sabbing in the woods”.
There is a big difference between sabbing and monitoring. Sabbing would require that I stay hidden while skulking about, but in the woodlands I went into there was only tall trees, dead wood and twigs - so no place to hide, I'm afraid.
I suppose what I was doing could be described as "skulking". One of the villagers driving me round from place to place said: "Ooh Judi, take yer hat off, yer look like one of them IRA, for goodness sake".
"Sod off," I said, "it's freezing down in them woods and it's very windy on the edges."
But if monitoring is more effective than sabbing, then the hunt ban must be doing some good.
Live and let live! This is what we should all be aspiring to. Not to hurt is a choice we all have. I choose to speak out for defenceless animals and by doing this, I am enriching my own life.
I don't see any setbacks as failure, just lessons to be learned and overcome.
Just a footnote: Saboteurs use horns and calls to distract the hounds from their quarry.
Although I have just acquired a hunting horn, it's going to take me until next hunting season to learn how to use it - I'm useless!
I make it sound like a lioness’ mating call.
Plus using a horn without proper training can cause more problems for the fox than it helps.
