The NCH met in the vicinity of Norton Hall, off the Broadmarston Lane. Despite the numerous badger setts blocked within the Mickleton / Broadmarston / Pebworth area as well as on land owned by Marcus himself, the hunt appear to still be obtaining permission to hunt fox cubs… this is the same area in which 3C sabs caught terrierman Will Haines and friends digging down into an active badger sett in October 2016 after the hunt chased a fox to ground. Will Haines was out again this week on his quadbike.

Having worried a flock of sheep at Norton Hall Farm, the hounds (almost the entire pack…) were moved on to a nearby wood, 2 deer running back and forth within it. At one point they ran back into the wood, straight towards several hounds who were drawing through. The deer split, one panicked and turned straight into a tree, the impact easily heard by sabs in the next field. She rolled and ran off, but this is likely to have been an effect of adrenalin. A handful of hounds rioted on her scent soon after but hunt staff (finally) called them off.

Hounds marked to ground in an annex badger sett, terriermen on quads waiting nearby until they spotted sabs coming to investigate. Other setts in the area were checked throughout the day, none being found blocked. We have been told that we have had an effect on many of the hunts in the area due to our sett-blocking patrols and the amount of evidence of blocked setts that we have found over the seasons. This is a fantastic step forward as it changes the way that hunts have to operate. Check out our article ‘Hunts vs Badgers’ for more information

After the hunt packed up around 11am, sabs headed off for breakfast and coffee and returning a found phone to a local rider before returning to the badger cull zones. In one area 3 bags for life full of peanuts were removed from bait points.

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(PS Quentin… Beardy gave your banter a mere 3/10. Try harder next time)