It's been argued that the relatively good number of hares in East Anglia might be due to the activities of Harrier packs.
The strength of natural populations of any animal is governed by very complicated processes, and it is far more likely that the Harriers exist because the hares have always been here and not the other way around.
In fact the present Waveney Harriers were once Foxhounds before becoming Henham Harriers. No doubt the presence of a quarry to hunt encouraged that change.
Hare populations can vary widely from year to year according to winter weather, disease and so on.
Waveney Harriers should not have been hunting hares for the last 13 years, although from what we have seen from our property, their hounds are rarely under enough control to prevent that happening. But their activities can in no way be responsible for our populations of this wonderful and popular animal.
The argument should surely be, is hunting wild mammals with dogs an appropriate pastime for the 21st century? The answer has to be no.
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