Huntsmen in North Yorkshire believe myths have overtaken the truth about a tradition which still attracts protests to this day.
Rachel Bullock was invited to a hunt in North Yorkshire to hear one side of a long-running debate on the divisive sport
For many, the ban was long overdue, ending what they saw as the last legal bloodsport - relegated to the days of dogfighting or bear-baiting. For others, it was a tragic loss of tradition and control over countryside pest.During a drag hunt in North Yorkshire on Wednesday 20 March, the Bedale and Zetland Hunts wanted to get across their side of the long-running debate.
"I don't think many people are opposed to the fact of people riding across the countryside and chasing around, which is actually what does happen." "But they found that actually the hounds were slightly more wild, if you like, on it and therefore it was actually more of a risk of them maybe chasing a live quarry.
Despite reassurance from organisations like the Zetland and Bedale Hunts, the tradition remains highly controversial with opponents claiming drag hunting is a smokescreen - with live foxes likely to be killed by accident, and huntsmen equally likely to escape any real chance of prosecution.John, who did not want his surname to be used, is one of those who believes drag hunting has no place in the countryside.
In North Yorkshire, the hunts are hoping transparency can win confidence in a sport with centuries of history behind it.
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