Animal rights activists hope the latest lockdown restrictions have well and truly pulled the reins on the remainder of this season’s hunts – meaning it could be a long wait before the activity will be able to run.

The Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs spoke to the Gazette & Herald on how the pandemic has affected its activities.

Spokeswoman Annette Fox said: “Now we have moved into lockdown, this has pretty much put and end to the smokescreen that is trail hunting for the duration.

“During the various tiers leading up to the current lockdown, we have witnessed many hunts out dubiously using the organised sport exemptions to continue hunting, ignoring limits of six for spectators, and congregating in mass groups for the meet before, during and after the hunt.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: 2018: Lacock Boxing Day Hunt toast in Sherry as the Boxing Day hunts take place in Lacock with the Avonvale hunt meeting in the High Street attracting hundreds of spectators Pics Trevor Porter 52272 8 (50759260)2018: Lacock Boxing Day Hunt toast in Sherry as the Boxing Day hunts take place in Lacock with the Avonvale hunt meeting in the High Street attracting hundreds of spectators Pics Trevor Porter 52272 8 (50759260)

“This is in addition to the flagrant disregard to many other laws, including using illegal quads on public roads, assaults on saboteurs and monitors, interfering with badger setts, and of course illegal hunting.

“So we mustn’t be complacent – just because the laws forbids hunting does not in itself mean they will abide by the law.”

The Gazette contacted the Avon Vale Hunt, the Tedworth Hunt and South West Wilts Hunt to ask for the views on the abrupt ending to the hunting season, but none replied.

The Avon Vale Hunt recently posted on Facebook: “The 2020/21 season has been a strange one we must say but we are thankful all hounds and horses are keeping well. We all need to make sure we do our bit, stay home and most importantly stay safe. We hope we can all be out with hounds and horses in the not-so-distant future.”

The owner of clothing retailer H&M barred hunts from his 19,000 acres of land across Wiltshire, Berkshire and Hampshire after allegations were made recently about the local hunt.

Protesters in Wiltshire say they often get tip-offs over hunt locations from farmers, landowners or even passers-by who take umbrage with passing hunts.

The Sabs then film or disrupt hunts and, in some parts of the country, this can lead to legal ramifications for both sides.

Ms Fox added: “We continue to urge Wiltshire residents to be vigilant, to use their allotted exercise time wisely and report to the police and ourselves any hunting taking place.”

In December, hunting was ‘stopped with immediate effect’ on the Ramsbury Estate near Marlborough.

But the hunt in question says the claims are ‘spurious’

There will be no hunting on the land “for the foreseeable future” after allegations were made against the Vine and Craven Hunt.

A spokesperson for the estate said the hunt “have countered the allegations, but if proven the law will take its course” confirming that the Vine & Craven hunt were on the Hungerford end of the estate last Saturday.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: November hails the start of the hunting season

A spokesperson for the Vine & Craven Hunt said: “The Vine & Craven Hunt has always enjoyed a good working relationship with the Ramsbury Estate, as it does with the many other landowners who allow the hunt to conduct trail hunting across their land.

“We will continue to liaise with the estate to ensure they are fully aware that these are just spurious allegations made regarding our hunting activities and are without foundation. In the meantime, we look forward to continuing to trail hunt in a Covid-secure manner.”

The month before, fox hunting again was in the spotlight as it emerged The Hunting Office, that runs hunting in, faced a police investigation.

It followed allegations made to numerous police forces about the contents of online meetings it held.

ITV News revealed that leaked webinars hosted by The Hunting Office were being examined by police officers in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service to see if any criminal offences have taken place.