Godknows
Well-Known Member
Is Stag hunting banned like fox hunting with hounds?
I think you will find the majority of packs hunt within the law.
I just don't think anyone fancies getting into a slanging match about hunting, that's all. Been done, several times over
I don't agree on any sort of hunting
The thought of any animal being chased down by a pack of hounds and a pack of people is dreadful to anyone who can empathise with the animal, I would have thought. Speaking for myself, the thought of something as big, beautiful, majestic...and harmless, being chased to the death for "fun" is sick. Cull if necessary, but quickly and cleanly.
Yes, it's all been said before, but things don't change if people sit on the fence...
I don't agree on any sort of hunting
Stag hunting (like all hunting of course) is geared towards having fun for the participants. Trying to locate any sort of point to it will only take up your time indefinitely because there simply isn't one. I'm am pleased OP, your starting to read between the lines!
This is why I've come off the fence especially on Stag hunting. But as I didn't know much about it and this chap with the hunt was quite willing to explain. I wasn't sure if the ban was also with Stag hunting (as I didn't realise it happened). I'm not a tree hugger or bunny hugger just have a heart even when it's about horses.
No..but you are a troll.
No..but you are a troll.
No..but you are a troll.
Actually, you're wrong. These days of course it all has to be done within very restrictive rules but before I actually WENT staghunting and met the people who actually manage it it was the one form of hunting I had severe doubts about.
But it is ALL about managing the deer herd in sickness and in health. If the harbourers come across an injured or ill deer then plans for the day are dropped until that particular deer can be brought to bay and despatched humanely. 'Bringing to bay' doesn't mean the deer is exhausted - or even tired. It means he has picked a place to fight. Hounds stand back and 'bay' - he threatens. The huntsman or one of the harbourers shoot him - at close range!
Culling stags or hinds takes place at different times - with different 'targets' With stags, it may be old stags, past their prime, not suitable for breeding anymore and unable to fight (other stags) without severe injury. Or young stags of poor quality, with a bad set of antlers, or who have come through winter badly. With hind hunting they are looking for young, unthrifty hinds (possibly worm-ridden or with TB) or old hinds in poor condition - again worms, TB, or loss of teeth. Healthy hinds are not hunted for more than a short distance (to SEE they are healthy) and are then allowed to escape. I watched a group of hinds being put out of woodland - so they could be observed - and then left in peace as they were all healthy!
I defended hunting as a full-time spokesman for the British Field Sports Society for more than 6 years. And for many more years because I believe in it! And the arguments in favour of staghunting were the most compelling, particularly when you see some of the stags and hinds that ARE culled by the hunt - some horribly poor in condition, some with horrendous injuries either from road traffic accidents or botched shooting by poachers!
Catching these animals - or getting them to a position where they can be safely shot is VERY hard on Exmoor. Unless you're very close it requires high powered rifles (dangerous with tourists and walkers popping up anywhere) - AND permission to be armed on that land!! And an ill or injured deer will hide away - to die slowly and painfully!
I lived on Exmoor and have experienced the antics of the stag hunters at close hand. It ain't pretty.
JanetGeorge - thank you for this better explaination. I can see where your coming from but if they are chasing the stag/deer I'm sure they could corner them and even use a dart to stop them running the shoot at close range without all the (fun) of the hunt?
Have you ever tried to corner a wild red deer - or even a fallow? My husband nearly lost his head when riding with the D&SS. A stag cleared his head by inches (and he WAS on a 17hh horse at the time!)
Anmd dating sounds simple - my vet has to do it regularly at the Safari Park when they need to treat an animal - but first they run the animal into a small enclosure! Otherwise you've got no show!
The HUNTING part of staghunting isn't much fun TBH - you're never close enough to see the hound work as you were with foxhunting. The field is usually a mile or more behind hounds - having a nice xc-ride without much/any jumping. The field is there to pay the wages of the professional hunt staff and cover costs!
Harsh.
I lived on Exmoor and have experienced the antics of the stag hunters at close hand. It ain't pretty. And it ain't necessary either as there are already people in place to cull the stags humanely. It is nothing but 'sport' for the sheer thrill of it. I can fully appreciate all the arguments for fox hunting.. but stags? No way.
Over the last twenty or thirty years there have been some headline making mistakes by the Devon and Somerset Staghounds... a stag chased into the sea and drowned, one killed in a school playground (complete with children in their classrooms) one on a roof, to name the three I can remember offhand.
In my experience they also have to be some of the rudest and most offensive upholders af any sport. My first encounter was walking with three small children on the moor.. as we were rightly entitled to do.. the hunt appeared and proceeded to swear loudly and in a threatening manner at my 2, 4 and 7 year old children to make them get off the path faster! Subsequent encounters did little to alter my opinion.
This is why I've come off the fence especially on Stag hunting. But as I didn't know much about it and this chap with the hunt was quite willing to explain. I wasn't sure if the ban was also with Stag hunting (as I didn't realise it happened). I'm not a tree hugger or bunny hugger just have a heart even when it's about horses.
Have you ever tried to corner a wild red deer - or even a fallow? My husband nearly lost his head when riding with the D&SS. A stag cleared his head by inches (and he WAS on a 17hh horse at the time!)
Anmd dating sounds simple - my vet has to do it regularly at the Safari Park when they need to treat an animal - but first they run the animal into a small enclosure! Otherwise you've got no show!
The HUNTING part of staghunting isn't much fun TBH - you're never close enough to see the hound work as you were with foxhunting. The field is usually a mile or more behind hounds - having a nice xc-ride without much/any jumping. The field is there to pay the wages of the professional hunt staff and cover costs!
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