HUNT supporters were out in the Huddersfield area yesterday for the traditional Boxing Day meets.
The Rockwood Hunt rode out in Upper Denby, watched by dozens of supporters.
And Colne Valley Beagles took to the fields and lanes across Scammonden - in what could be a defining moment for country sports.
Hunt supporters remained defiant as protesters took to the countryside for what could be the last annual Boxing Day hunts.
A supporter of the Rockwood Hunt said: "It has been a tradition for so many years. It would be wrong if it was all to disappear."
The biggest day in the foxhunting calendar got into full swing around rural England as the Government looks set to clamp down on the controversial pastime.
Thousands of anti-hunt campaigners were out in force and small groups of demonstrators were on hand as some of the first hunts got under way.
The Countryside Alliance claimed a record 275,000 people showed their support across 350 hunts during the day.
Some protesters believe the Government is preparing to force a law banning foxhunting on to the statute book, even though the issue was not mentioned in the Queen's Speech.
Thousands of hunt supporters gathered across Yorkshire.
James Bates, the northern area media relations manager for the Countryside Alliance, said more than 15,000 supporters turned out at 34 meets across the county.
He said: "Everybody around the region said they have had far more people than last year. And, despite the weather, everyone has really reported a fantastic turnout and atmosphere."
Mr Bates added: "We have had a tremendous amount of people coming to the fox hunts. They are trying to find out a little bit more about the issues for themselves and they are giving support to the countryside."
And Mr Bates was confident yesterday's event would not be the last of the hunts, saying:
"You only have to look at the legislative calendar Tony Blair put forward in the Queen's Speech. There are so many controversial Bills."
