It is understood that established hunts across the north west plan to ride, aiming to stay just within the law, while hundreds of anti-hunting protesters will pursue them on foot to monitor activities and report any illegal chasing or killing of animals.
The letter of the law states that no animal, except for rats and rabbits, can intentionally be chased down by a pack of hounds for any reason, and both sides say they intend to see it is upheld.
Countryside Alliance regional director Tom Fell said: "We are advising all of our members to stay within the law, but within any group there will be dissidents, but nobody I know of is planning to break any laws today."
Despite this, some hunters are planning to defy the ban in the coming months.
One told the M.E.N.: "I'm certainly planning to go out on my own and continue hunting. This law will make no difference to me."
Holcombe Hunt is planning an "artificial" hunt, where a human runner will be given a scent and chased across the countryside by horses and hounds, while hunts across Cheshire and the High Peaks claim to be riding to "exercise their horses and hounds, and take in a few jumps along the way".
The Hunt Saboteurs Association is planning to follow on foot to video-record and report any illegal activities.
Spokesman Paul Timpson, from Manchester, said: "We'll be around for as long as it takes, we'll be watching them for at least the next few months, then we'll have spot checks. I don't expect any killing today while the media interest is high, but they'll do what they've always done after a few months." .
Saboteurs have already signalled their intention to turn their attention to grouse and pheasant shooting in north Lancashire when the season starts in August.
Chief Supt Derek Barnett, Head of Uniform Operations for the Cheshire Constabulary, confirmed that all hunting in the county would be monitored.
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Sue, Salford (19/02/2005 at 15:43)
(1) Call out a vet and have all the dogs used for hunting destroyed - unfortunately because of the way they have been raised, they can never become family pets, the risk is too high.
(2) Whilst calling the vet [see (a) above], instruct him to bring his shotgun with him, together with an ample supply of ammunition. Then simply put the horses out of their misery. Their carcases can be used to feed other, friendlier dogs.
(3) Charge each member of the hunt and have them appear in court. In future years, whenever they are asked on any type of form if they have a criminal record, they will have to answer in the affirmative.