Hunt saboteurs follow fox hunts in order to collect evidence of illegal hunting. Unlike drag hunts or clean boot hunts (neither of which involve chasing a wild mammal), fox hunts are hostile to observers. The dates, locations and routes of their hunts are not published. Finding foxhunts and following them are a challenge. Much of the fox hunting takes place on privately owned land, to which the public has no access. Sabs and monitors are often at some distance from the hunt. Hunt personnel obstruct the views of the observers, if they get close to a hunted fox. Hunt vehicles are used to block roads preventing the public from seeing or approaching the hunt. Video evidence is always required for an investigation and possible prosecution. The evidence must have three things in the same, continuous shot: the huntsman, the hounds and the fox being pursued. The huntsman will often allow a considerable gap to build up between himself and the hounds, thus preventing anyone from obtaining the required evidence.
The best video evidence must be continuous. Sabs and monitors have to move very quickly to keep up with the hunt and they often have to climb over gates. If the camera operator loses sight of the hunt for a second, then the evidence could be invalid. Drone footage is invaluable.
Even if this evidence is obtained, intent still has to be proven. The huntsman may show intent if he is encouraging his hounds with voice and horn but the camera operator must be close enough to record the sound as well as see the events.
