Secret dawn hunts ‘target young hares’ as campaigners warn illegal season is under way

Animal welfare campaigners have warned that young hares could be chased and killed across the British countryside as hunting groups begin their secretive early-season activities.

The Hunt Saboteurs Association claims packs of beagles are being taken into fields at dawn to hunt leverets, which are young hares, as part of an illegal training programme for inexperienced hounds.

Known as “leveret hunting”, the practice is said to take place after crops have been harvested, usually during September and early October, although campaigners warn it can begin as early as August.

The warning follows recent convictions which the association says have highlighted the continuing problem of illegal hare hunting.

Campaigners fear the penalties imposed will do little to deter those involved.

A spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: “Leverets present an easy target for young and inexperienced hounds, which need to be trained to chase and kill their quarry.

“The beagles are taken into open fields and encouraged to search for hares and leverets.

“Unlike during the main hunting season, the hunters do not want a long chase. We have seen escaping leverets being turned back towards the hounds to ensure a quick kill.”

Hunting wild mammals, including hares, with dogs is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004, although the legislation contains limited exemptions.

According to the association, leveret hunts typically begin from around 6am, when scenting conditions are considered better for inexperienced hounds and there are fewer members of the public in the countryside.

Unlike formal beagling meets, those attending may not wear traditional hunting clothing, while only a small number of trusted supporters are likely to be present.

The association says signs of a possible leveret hunt include a pack of small beagle hounds being worked across open fields, accompanied by a handful of people and a nearby hound trailer.

Although some hunt supporters deny leveret hunting takes place, campaigners point to historical beagling literature that openly describes the practice.

In the book Beagling, author JC Jeremy Hobson wrote that “young hounds should be allowed to get away on a well-grown leveret rather than an old, experienced hare”.

Meanwhile, Jack Ivester Lloyd described the activity in Beaglers as “the hare hunters’ equivalent of cub hunting”, adding that some masters called the period “leveret hunting”.

Iain Clarke’s An Introduction to Beagling also described young hounds being trained once the harvest was clear during August or September, with attendance restricted to those invited by the hunt master.

The Hunt Saboteurs Association said the accounts demonstrated that the practice had historically formed part of beagling, despite what it described as attempts to conceal it today.

It has urged members of the public who encounter a suspected leveret hunt to record evidence only where it is safe to do so.

People are advised to film key individuals and vehicle registration numbers without placing themselves in danger, before passing the information to the association’s confidential tip-off line on 07443 148426.

Anyone who believes an illegal hunt or another wildlife crime is taking place should contact the police immediately.