Most fox hunts in Britain are due to go ahead today in a final show of defiance before a ban takes effect at midnight.
Hundreds of thousands of supporters will join Britain's last legal hunting meetings, with many vowing not to heed the new law, the Countryside Alliance said.
Animal welfare campaigners welcomed today as the "last tally ho!" for the 300-year-old activity. But up to half a million supporters of hunting with dogs are expected to defy the ban after the Court of Appeal yesterday rejected a challenge that it was invalid.
Three appeal judges refused the Countryside Alliance's application for a "stay", which would have blocked any potential criminal proceedings while the pro-hunt group petitions the Law Lords for a hearing.
A Countryside Alliance spokeswoman said many hunts in England and Wales had changed their schedules to go out today. "The majority of hunts will be going out. I think they will be defiant, angry, and there will be a huge amount of sadness," she said.
"There is just a great feeling of resilience and determination to see what is a prejudiced and bigoted legislation removed from the statute book."
But the League Against Cruel Sports hailed today as the end of its 80-year battle to stop hunting with dogs.
A spokeswoman said: "It is the last 'tally ho!' As you can imagine, after 80 years of campaigning to have the law changed, we are all very much looking forward to the clock striking midnight tonight."
Fox hunting will still be allowed in Northern Ireland.