I JUST wanted to write and say thank you for covering the traditional Boxing Day hunt meet on December 26.

And thank you to all who came to support the hunt. The task of laying trails fell to me (as part of a dedicated team) and it was a little nerve racking to do the first line, on the green, in front of more than a 1000 spectators. It was a cold beautiful day with a slight wind and we had some scent drift on the first trail but I know the crowds loved seeing hounds hunting with full voice up close and personal. It always sends a shiver down my spine, especially when dragging a smelly soak behind you! The hunt has been in its present form since 1781 and is a great Bristish tradition. Before 1781 the New Forest was hunted and was of course created for hunting over 900 years ago. The Hunt still collects fallen stock from Forest roads and farms and disposes of this meat by feeding it to the hounds. This service is vital to commoners and farmers alike who have no other legal way to dispose of fallen stock. The Hunting Act 2004 cause huge stresses and pressures on those involved in running a hunt. It is a very badly drafted piece of law and should be removed from the statute book. It makes a mockery of the legal system and of freedom and liberty. I hope when the time comes (and it will) all will support the repeal of this nasty little law. In the mean time, keep coming out and supporting hunting.

Will Day, New Forest Hounds Traillayer Number3, Born to Hunt.