Stag hunting

If it is as reported it is illegal so probably not but there are always 2 sides to every court case so there may well be a defence put up.... lots of illegal things happen every day that’s why we need a police force and court system.
 
There is no doubt in my mind that the work still done - legally - by the staghounds is essential to the health and welfare of the deer herds. In particular, the casualty work finding and dispatching deer that are ill or injured (usually as a result of shooting or RTA - and of course bovine TB.) But also fighting between stags - and old age. I do NOT like the fact that they are only allowed to use two hounds - a full pack will bring a stag to bay MUCH quicker and hold it better, avoiding unnecessary delay.
 
JanetGeorge said:
There is no doubt in my mind that the work still done - legally - by the staghounds is essential to the health and welfare of the deer herds. In particular, the casualty work finding and dispatching deer that are ill or injured (usually as a result of shooting or RTA - and of course bovine TB.) But also fighting between stags - and old age. I do NOT like the fact that they are only allowed to use two hounds - a full pack will bring a stag to bay MUCH quicker and hold it better, avoiding unnecessary delay.
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Out of curiousity - why hunting with dogs rather than stalking?
 
JanetGeorge said:
There is no doubt in my mind that the work still done - legally - by the staghounds is essential to the health and welfare of the deer herds. In particular, the casualty work finding and dispatching deer that are ill or injured (usually as a result of shooting or RTA - and of course bovine TB.) But also fighting between stags - and old age. I do NOT like the fact that they are only allowed to use two hounds - a full pack will bring a stag to bay MUCH quicker and hold it better, avoiding unnecessary delay.
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And that just shows what happens when laws are made to appease a section of the electorate, rather than following the evidence.
 
blitznbobs said:
Out of curiousity - why hunting with dogs rather than stalking?
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There is a lot of stalking on Exmoor. And a lot of tourists who get in the way. The chances of getting one particular stag for a stalker is a 1 in a thousand chance - they work to a quota and are NOT selective. And even Bateson stated that "10 per cent. of stalked deer require two or more shots to be killed, and 5 per cent. escape wounded. "
 
Why is it 'stag' hunting?. If it's OK to kill the females without chasing them with a pack of dogs, why not the males?

I see both killed by stalking with no dog needed in the Peak Park. Plenty of tourists here, as well. They are selected by the landowner whose land they are damaging, when numbers get too great (in general they are loved by everyone, but they do get too many sometimes) and shot by a local marksman.
 
ycbm said:
Why is it 'stag' hunting?. If it's OK to kill the females without chasing them with a pack of dogs, why not the males?

I see both killed by stalking with no dog needed in the Peak Park. Plenty of tourists here, as well. They are selected by the landowner whose land they are damaging, when numbers get too great (in general they are loved by everyone, but they do get too many sometimes) and shot by a local marksman.
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Whether they are doing stags or hinds just depends on the time of year.
 
Sandstone1 said:
Can anyone defend chasing a animal to exhaustion like that?
I except deer need to be culled and provision for ill and injured animals made but too do this to a animal in the name of sport?
I dont think its acceptable and hope it goes to court.
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I can’t see how this stag can have been killed because it was old or injured. Chasing something to exhaustion is inhumane and unnecessary imo. . I’m also interested to know how this is more accurate in selection than a marksman would be?
 
A Mule In A Manager said:
I think carted deer hunting is worse. The deer is kept in captivity, released for the hunt, recaptured and released again for the next hunt. The animal isn't killed but I think it's worse to spend years chasing it about.
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Ive never heard of that. It never ceases to amaze me the cruelty that humans are capable of.
 
meleeka said:
I can’t see how this stag can have been killed because it was old or injured. Chasing something to exhaustion is inhumane and unnecessary imo. . I’m also interested to know how this is more accurate in selection than a marksman would be?
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Sandstone1 said:
Ive never heard of that. It never ceases to amaze me the cruelty that humans are capable of.
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I was very surprised to hear of it too.
 
We have lots of deer in the New Forest, and lots of tourists. The deer are selectively culled by marksmen from high platforms so the bullet will bury itself in the ground if it goes through the animal. So far I have not heard of a single accident and no marksman worth the name will shoot unless he has the best chance possible of a clean kill in safe conditions. It would be more than his job is worth. Wounded and lacerated deer are the work of out of control dogs or useless poachers. Any hurt in an RTA or otherwise wounded accidentally will be tracked until found and dispatched very efficiently. The marsksmen are keepers who know their deer population and habits intimately. No need for chasing to a standstill.

Edited: I have just had it confirmed that, yes, if tracking a wounded deer, the keeper will use dogs. Please see:
Use of dogs. The Deer Inintiative.
 
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