Each year this totals 3,950 hunt functions with an overall attendance of 1,326,000 people. The culture of the hunting community involves people from widely differing income brackets and social backgrounds of a hugely varying age, and large numbers of both women and men. More than just a country pursuit, hunting gives participants a strong sense of belonging in following a shared activity. As a group, they are clearly in favour of hunting. Especially for those living in remote rural areas, it can help to counter the isolation that is often felt by farmers and others, particularly during the long winter months.
Most quarry hunting participants are unlikely to convert in the event of a ban.
Whilst our sport may be the closest on offer, it certainly is not and must never be referred to a substitute or an alternative for live quarry hunting. No more, to put it in a different context, than rugby would be a replacement for soccer if the latter were to be banned. We accept that a large number of the citizens of this country may well disapprove of hunting with hounds, are genuine in their disapproval and feel strongly about the issue. However, these reasons do not begin to justify depriving a minority group of the right to take part in a lawful activity and it would be a very damaging day for all our freedoms if they were ever held to do so. These are freedoms inherent in citizenship of a civilised society.