Otter Hunt on the Taw

A traditional otter hunt is underway in North Devon on the banks of the River Taw. Huntsman with otterpoles work upstream and the otterhound pack seeks the scent from otter spraint or droppings. The otter is a solitary mammal with a large territory and spraints warn off other dog otters. Otter bitches will care for the young for up to 18 months but young males cover wide distances before setting up their own holt or den and the wandering is thought to protect their quarry of fish.

Otter hunting is a popular sport from the 17th century initiated to protect fisheries of trout, salmon pike, barbel or carp but also eels. It continues into the 1960s when a rapid decline in the otter population is recognised. The main cause is pesticide run off polluting waterways and killing fish and otters are declared a protected species in 1978. The pure bred otterhound is a shaggy strong dog and on the list of Vulnerable Native Breeds. The recovery in the otter population is a wildlife success story with controlled reintroduction of the species leading to its return to many of the UK’s rivers.