Boughton Estate Campaign
Ask the estate to ban all kind of hunts from their land
The connection between Boughton Estate and illegal hunting is clear. Not only is there a court case scheduled for November, but a well-known criminal hunt regularly uses the estate’s land. Despite this, the estate — owned by the Duke of Buccleuch — continues to ignore local complaints while publicly claiming to encourage nature.
Recently, the estate restored ‘Star Pond’ (a pond with water features) and they say that ‘its surrounds will become an area of improved water quality and one where interesting new habitats can be established for a variety of species, which we hope will make their home on the estate.’ However, foxes and hares (not being water creatures) are being put at risk by the presence of not one, but two, hunts that have access to the land.
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE PROSECUTION AND CONNECTION WITH THE HUNT, PLEASE READ PROTECT THE WILD’S ARTICLE
What do we want you to do about it?
We would like you to write, or email, or phone Boughton Estates and ask them to drop any and all connections to hunting of all kinds. We have created a template letter for you to use.
You may also like to fill in the estate’s ‘Feedback Form’. Let them know how unhappy you are with their attitude to wildlife.
contact details
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to formally raise my grave concerns regarding repeated incidents of wildlife persecution and illegal hunting activities taking place on Boughton Estate land.
Earlier this year, the Pipewell Foot Beagles were involved in the illegal killing of a hare on your land. This matter is now the subject of an upcoming court case scheduled for November. In addition, there has been the illegal destruction of a badger sett on the estate. Both of these incidents constitute serious breaches of UK wildlife protection laws.
Furthermore, your estate is known to regularly host The Pytchley with Woodland Hunt, who continue to hunt foxes illegally. It is also widely known that the estate permits this hunt to carry out “cubbing” — the practice of training hounds to kill fox cubs — which is both abhorrent and illegal.
Against this backdrop, I find Boughton Estates’ public claims of “supporting nature” and promoting conservation projects to be deeply hypocritical and misleading. Your public messaging is entirely at odds with the ongoing wildlife persecution on your land.
I request that you:
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Immediately cease allowing hunts and related activities on Boughton Estate land.
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Publicly clarify your position on wildlife protection and hunting.
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Cooperate fully with authorities investigating these incidents and ensure future compliance with wildlife law.
These matters are of significant public interest, and continued inaction will only lead to further scrutiny. I expect a written response detailing how Boughton Estates intends to address these serious concerns.
