A Norfolk gamekeeper was attacked after he confronted a group of men who were illegally coursing hares.
Stephen Moore was hit on the back of the head with a "blunt instrument" after he challenged four men he saw coursing hares at about 1330 GMT on Monday.
The men, who had four-wheel drive vehicles and three lurcher dogs, where operating near Stow Road, Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen.
Norfolk Police said after Mr Moore spoke to the men, he was hit and had to be treated for bleeding and swelling.
Officers investigating the attack said landowners in Norfolk and surrounding counties have been plagued by illegal hare coursing and appealed for the public's help to combat the crime.