Western Australia's last fox hunting club may still be in high demand as farmers continue to struggle against the predacious vermin otherwise known as 'Old Charlie' — but its future is uncertain as its Master of Hounds ponders retirement.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 6 minutes 14 seconds 6 m A Big Country: Riding to hounds with the Brook Hunt Club Download 2.9 MB

Zoe Ellis took the reins as Master for Brook Hunt club in 1999, shortly before being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

She credits her involvement with the club and its 30-odd members as key to dealing with the disease.

But a recent fall off a horse coupled with the effort of maintaining her beloved English foxhounds may force the inevitable.

"I don't want to, but there comes a point where one has to be realistic as well," Ms Ellis told the ABC at a recent hunt in Kojonup.

"It frightens me to think about it though so for now, it's onwards and upwards but we'll see."

Brook Hunt's foxhounds on the prowl for their prey. ( ABC South West WA: Anthony Pancia )

The club was invited to the farm by a farmer whose lambs had been killed by a fox.

Ms Ellis said invitations like that were not unusual; and neither are they dwindling.

But she also said the catching a fox was "rare".

"If we are lucky, we will catch one per hunt," Ms Ellis said shortly before releasing the hounds for the day.

"They say 'as cunning as a fox' for a reason."

She played down criticisms often levelled at fox hunting, the tradition of which dates back to the 16th century in Europe.

Scotland first banned the sport in 2002 while England and Wales also banned it 2004.

"You can go out shooting foxes or spreading poison, but it's frowned upon to go out with a pack of hounds?" Ms Ellis said.

"If a fox is taken by one of our hounds, it is instant. It is not a slow agonising death after being shot in the wrong spot or swallowing toxins.

"The hounds know what to do but that's if we catch a fox."

Introduced species wreaking havoc with native animals

Western Australia's Department of Parks and Wildlife lists foxes as partly responsible for the extinction of 11 native mammals with a further 30 species on the endangered list.

It is believed the foxes were introduced to Victoria in 1845 for the sole purpose of continuing the tradition of fox hunting but their numbers soon escalated, wreaking havoc with native animals, mammals and birdlife.

The hunters and hounds regroup on a old dirt road ( ABC Rural: Anthony Pancia )

Traditionally, large quantities of the toxic 1080 poison are distributed throughout the WA in late winter and into spring, the time female foxes, or vixens, are known to be either giving birth or rearing their young.

It is also this the time of year clubs like Brook Hunt and other clubs spread throughout NSW and Victoria are called upon by farmers to help deal with foxes.

Come one, come all

The club's members age from late teens to late 60s.

All share a passion for horse riding and continuing the tradition of fox hunting.

Field Master for Brook Hunt Richard Palmer said he was introduced to the sport by a club in Kent in his native England.

Field Master Richard Palmer prepares to blow the horn. ( ABC South West WA: Anthony Pancia )

"I enjoy riding but perhaps more so, I enjoy watching the hounds at work," Mr Palmer said while preparing his equipment for the day's event.

"If we catch a fox it's all well and good but in many ways it's more about upholding and participating in the tradition of it all."

Now retired from fox hunting, John Watkins said he had started out in Yorkshire, England, but now simply enjoyed watching — and more importantly, listening to — the process.

"It's the best music you'll ever hear; better than Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones," Mr Watkins said as the pack of hounds howled in the distance.

"The way the hounds talk to each other as they chase a fox is a beautiful thing. It's in my blood and I'll never get sick of hearing it."

It is always important to remain hydrated on a hunt, said Richard Palmer. ( ABC South West WA: Anthony Pancia )

Another rider, Tony Barlow, said club members often witnessed damage done by foxes during their hunts.

"We've seen three lambs that have been torn apart already today," Mr Barlow said.

"It's a terrible thing to see and quite often Old Charlie will get the better of us, but we try, on behalf of the farmer and the lambs; we try."

Animal activists take a dim view

Though foxes are a known pest in regional areas across Australia, animal activists oppose the use of hounds to kill them.

An RSPCA spokesperson said hunting had the potential to result in significant suffering to animals including foxes.

"Although some hunters may have the skills, knowledge and motivation to minimise the suffering of their prey, many do not and it is inevitable that some animals will endure pain and distress," the spokesperson said.

"With some hunting activities and practices the potential for significant suffering is extremely high.

"For example, where animals are injured but not retrieved, where dogs are used or where dependent young are left abandoned."

Master of Hounds Zoe Ellis at the hunt in Kojonup. ( ABC Rural: Anthony Pancia )

Ms Ellis said fox hunters were well aware their sport was "not very PC".

"Look, we get it, we acknowledge it but we honestly believe what we do has a purpose," Ms Ellis said.

"Plus, just getting together, getting dressed up and riding horses out in some of the most beautiful parts of Australia is just the most fun in the world.

"It's good for the soul."