THOUSANDS of supporters turned out across Cheshire for the first hunt since the government ban.
Hunt masters reported record numbers across the region and said they were determined to continue their sport.
Anti-hunt organisations filmed events to gather evidence of any illegal behaviour on Saturday but police said the day had passed off peacefully.
Richard de Prez, joint master of the Cheshire Forest Hunt, held near Knutsford, said: "It was a sad and emotional day for many people. However, we had a good turnout with 92 riders and around 800 members of the public who came to support us.
"The hunting ban will not stop us going out. We will continue, although we now have to be extremely careful and stay strictly within the law.
"In the meantime we will do everything we can to get it repealed."
Hundreds of people turned out at the Wynnstay Hunt in Malpas, and the Cheshire Hunt near Tarporley also saw record numbers.
Richard Thomas, joint master of the Cheshire Hunt, said: "We had a fantastic turnout and had a good day's hunting. We will continue to enjoy the sport in a different form."
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