Campaigners say trail hunting is a “facade” for fox hunting, claiming that trail hunters actively pursue foxes.
They also claim trail hunting is dangerous for horses and dogs.
Rob Taylor, volunteer for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, said he had seen foxes being chased and killed, and had seen dogs harmed in the process.
He said: “The year before last a hunt lost control of their pack of dogs and the hounds ran across a busy A-road. One of them was hit by a car and unfortunately passed away.”
The organisation said the open days were a way for hunters to masquerade their activities.
“If it was the case they were trail hunting every time they go out like they say, then there wouldn’t need to be a specific day for it, people could go out on one of their hunts on any other day.
“But if you were to, you would find that the hunts are not very keen on being filmed or watched at all, which is why there is a specific day when people can go and watch.”
BHSA spokesperson Helen Welch said accidents did happen but were very rare.
She said: “I know there has been incidents in the past, but if you think over the last 20 years since the ban has come into place there has been about 250,000 days of hunting and under 25 convictions under the hunting act – that’s under 1%.”
There have been reports of dogs losing track of the trail and causing harm to other animals.
In 2020, West Yorkshire Hunt Saboteurs recorded footage near Askham Richard in North Yorkshire that showed dogs mauling a roe deer.
At the time, a spokesperson for the York and Ainsty South Hunt said the incident was a “direct result of the actions of the anti-hunting activists”.
“These hunt saboteurs were blowing a hunting horn and distracting the hounds which took a few of them off the trail which had been laid for them to follow,” they said.
