Publicly Owned Land and Licences to Hunt
About 12% of land in the country is owned by the public and managed for us by public bodies. Hunting is permitted by licence on some of this land, and by default in other parts. Some public bodies have already banned hunts completely – Forestry England, Natural Resources Wales, Lake District National Park Authority and some local councils have done this. Others, the Exmoor National Park Authority for example, and happy to continue to allow it.
It is high time that this stopped. Now that we know the Government is going to ban hunting wild mammals with dogs properly, we need to ask these public bodies what they are going to do while we are waiting for the new legislation.
But first, we need a list. Can you help? Please fill in this quick form and tell us of any land you know (however obscure) where hunting is allowed.
We will focus on private landowners soon – this one is just for public bodies.
Changing the law on hunting current news –
FULL update coming soon
THE CONSULTATION IS CLOSED
In short, the Government has committed to ending trail hunting. It was in their manifesto, and on March 26th 2026, they published their long-awaited Consultation. What we needed was good quality, individual responses to the Consultation, and we think we did that. We handed out 20 000 leaflets in rural towns and villages, explaining that completing the consultation wasn’t going to easy, but it was going to be deeply satisfying. We know that one individual response outweighs several thousand identical ones. Because ours were individual, we can’t give you a number. Lots and lots is the best we can do!
To find the consultation and our advice please click here.
For AAF’s take on what should be in the new law, click here.
AAF REPORT
Broken Law – How the Hunting Act has Failed
This is an evidenced-based report connecting documented cases of pursuits and kills of wild mammals with their treatment under the Hunting Act 2004. It highlights the significant issues with the Act and its inability to prevent the hunting of wild mammals.
25 documented case studies of pursuits and kills of wild mammals
Some reached court, some didn’t.
No one was found guilty.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/trail-fox-hunting-ban-labour-law-b2624103.html
The Cottesmore Hunt Prosecution
Feb 5&6th 2026 NEW AAF REPORT
On 6th Feb 2026, Sam Jones, huntsman for the Cottesmore Hunt, was found not guilty of hunting a wild mammal with dogs. This is despite clear video footage showing hounds in Mr Jones’ control chasing a fox.
Would banning trail hunting have prevented the fox’s suffering? Maybe.
BUT – would banning fox hunting properly have prevented it? Far, far more likely.
This report is now the final, and most recent, part of “Broken Law, How the Hunting Act Has Failed”. Thank you to Grantham Against Bloodsport and Northants Hunt Sabs for their help.
BOXING DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY CAMPAIGNS 2026
TELL US WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BOXING DAY OR NYD MEET YOU WENT TO
the british hound sports association’s real agenda
The BSHA promotes itself as the guardian of standards while refusing to demand even basic compliance with the law of the land. It rejects the very legislation that defines its limits, and treats defiance not as an aberration but as the norm. In doing so, it gives every one of its members licence to do the same.
Though, to be fair, they do tells us that themselves.
Parliamentary Debate on Trail Hunting: 01/04/25
Click here to:
Watch the video of the debate
Read the transcript of the debate
QUICK READ – AAF Digest of the debate and key quotations.
Fox hunting is illegal.
The majority of people don’t support animal cruelty, so they don’t support the hunts. The hunts pretend they are “trail hunting” to cover up what they are doing, and some people even believe them. They are also masquerading as noble, traditional and worthy organisations. But they are lying. It is our job in AAF to make sure that everyone knows what the hunts are really up to. We reach people outside Social Media by holding street stalls and distributing leaflets. We also run high-profile campaigns.
We ALWAYS welcome new members. It doesn’t matter if you are already involved, or you want to start getting active, we have something you can do.
We are a dynamic and supportive group – and we look after each other.
Everyone in AAF is a volunteer. How much you do is entirely up to you. Even a couple of hours of leafleting is useful. You never know – you might be the one to make all the difference.
For a quick understanding of AAF and how to get involved, have a listen to our short Podcast:-
Hello from AAF!
If you are interested in joining us, please fill out the contact form below.
How To Contact Us
Email us: info@actionagainstfoxhunting.org
OR contact us through our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ACTIONAGAINSTFOXHUNTING/
