Forgot to add this from the same site

Has the hunting ban had an impact on fox numbers?

No: Lord Burns' inquiry into hunting with dogs in England and Wales concluded that "hunting by registered packs makes only a minor contribution to the management of the fox population". A study on the impact of the hunting ban during the 2001 foot-and-mouth epidemic showed that there was no change in fox numbers even though hunting was stopped for nearly a year. A study in upland areas of Wales during the winter of 2003/2004 showed that hunting by gun packs did not reduce fox numbers. In fact the trend was for fox numbers to go up slightly because more foxes than were killed moved in to fill the empty territories. So it is hardly surprising that the ban on hunting, which came into effect on 18 February 2005, has had no effect.

But, if a University research unit cannot be believed I suppose we have to rely on the Daily Mail, Mudcat and that bloke in the pub who knows everything...

:D tG