THE hills around Devon resounded to the sound of baying hounds and horns at the weekend as the hunting season got under way.

Hunts say the sport is more popular than ever, despite the 2004 Hunting Act, which means that instead of pursuing foxes, hunts will be chasing a scent trail.

Introduction to hunting days, which train novices in the rules and etiquette of the sport, attracted record numbers this autumn.

Many of those involved in the sport say this is because of sympathy with hunts since the ban, while anti-cruelty campaigners say it is because many riders were put off hunting before the ban because they did not agree with the pursuit of foxes.

The East Devon Hunt introduced new hounds to the sport on Sunday in a practice known as cubbing ahead of their first major meet at Rockbeare Manor this weekend.

Honorary secretary Kevin Clarke said 60 riders had taken part in an introduction to hunting event held this month, many more than had been anticipated.

"There is no doubt that there is a huge level of support for hunting at the moment," he said.

"Realistically there is very little chance of a free vote in the House of Commons which could lead to a possible repeal of the Act. I understand that the Government has far more pressing matters to deal with at the moment, but it is heartening to see the huge levels of support we have at the moment."

Mr Clarke said he was also pleased that violent clashes with saboteurs were a thing of the past.

"We are looking forward to the first official meet at Rockbeare Manor," he said. "It is a wonderful location and we are very lucky to have it. We are expecting a large number of people out on foot to support us."

Staghounds have already been hunting for a number of weeks.

The Tiverton Staghounds met at Huntsham on Sunday. A spokesman said they too had experienced high levels of support.

The League Against Cruel Sports said that hunting was bound to become more popular now that the cruelty of the killing of a fox, hare or deer had been removed.

"The overwhelming majority of the public support the ban on hare, stag and fox hunting, and more people joining hunts now that the cruelty has been removed is evidence of that," said Douglas Batchelor, the League's chief executive.

"The idea that people are turning out to support hunts in sympathy for the ban is absolute nonsense.

"Those hunts that claim to have the most interest during hunting newcomers week all claim to hunt within the law, showing just how unpopular the cruelty was.

"To continue to call for repeal of the very Act of Parliament which appears to have sealed the success of their activity is madness."

The League said its investigators and observers were continuing to collect evidence of illegal hunting, and were passing this to police.