Hunts in the South West are waiting to see if the government will opt for a form of licensed hunting or whether it will use the Parliament Act to ban hunting outright.
Scottish hunts are currently operating under special licences after hunting was banned there two years ago.
BBC reporter Janine Jansen has been to Kelso in the Borders to see how the Buccleuch Hunt has adapted. Traditional hunting was banned two years ago in Scotland when the Protection of Wild Mammals Bill was passed.
It means horses and hounds can be used to flush the fox out into the path of waiting guns. But it is illegal for hounds to actually kill the fox.
Here hunts effectively work as pest control services for farmers and gamekeepers.  | | In Scotland more than double the number of foxes are now shot. |
There are ten main hunts in Scotland. Back in 2002, there were fears they wouldn't survive this change, but they all have. Hunt supporters say the 'partial' ban has hit them economically, albeit not as badly as feared.
Fewer horses and riders go hunting, and the packs of hounds are smaller.
About half the full-time hunt staff have been paid off. Some horse livery yards have closed, and some blacksmiths have moved away or taken on different work.
Their biggest concern is that they now shoot more than double the number of foxes. The campaign organisation 'Advocates for Animals' wants the legislation to go further.
It would like to see gun packs made illegal because it's against wild animals being chased and terrified.
It says the job losses are purely anecdotal and believes hunts should pursue drag hunting - where the scent is laid artificially beforehand. Article first published: 11th November 2004 | 
