In December 2025, the Government reaffirmed its plans to strengthen the Hunting Act and ban Trail Hunting. We have very little more detail than that. Trail Hunting was included in their Animal Welfare Strategy, but no mention was made of stag hunting. Stag hunts have (now and again) claimed they were trail hunting, but for the most part, this isn’t one of their excuses.
In fact, they don’t actually need much of an excuse, as they do what they do with very little interference from the law.
Here’s a simple explanation of stag hunting and how they avoid any challenges, (let alone prosecution):
What is Stag Hunting?
Stag hunting is NOT quietly stalking deer on foot with the intention of shooting them. Stag hunting always involves the use of dogs, mounted riders, quadbikes and people on foot to chase the deer to exhaustion. The deer shot dead at close range. It is usually called “stag hunting”, but both male and female deer are hunted.
Is Stag Hunting Illegal?
The Hunting Act outlawed hunting with dogs. However, stag hunts are exploiting loopholes in the law to continue hunting in almost the same was as they have for centuries. The main loophole is contained in the list of exemptions contained in the Act. The exemptions allowed some kinds of hunting with dogs. Most of the exemptions state that hunts can only use two dogs. Stag hunts use two dogs at a time, relaying them with other sets of dogs when those dogs are tired, and to them, this means their hunting is legal.
How often do they hunt?
Stag hunts last several hours, usually 4 or 5, with many miles of challenging terrain covered in this time. In hunting season, the hunts will typically meet three times a week.
Where does Stag Hunting Happen?
Today, stag hunting only survives in the South West. They hunt in the Quantocks in Somerset and on Exmoor in Devon and Somerset.
What do the hunters do with the deer’s body?
The deer is often butchered in a nearby field. Various body parts, including the head, antlers, teeth, and hooves, are taken as trophies. Traditionally, the heart is given to the owner of the land where the animal was killed. Entrails may be fed as a reward to the dogs.
Who are the hunters?
Members, guests, or followers of one of the three remaining registered stag hound packs: the Devon and Somerset Stag Hounds, the Quantock Stag Hounds, and the Tiverton Stag Hounds.
Why do the hunters do it?
For these hunters, stag hunting is a way of life. It is treated as a recreational activity and a traditional pursuit.
How are the stag hunts getting away with it?
The stag hunts operate openly, killing deer on almost every outing. They give the public the impression that their actions are legal, though this is highly debatable. Courts appear reluctant to progress stag hunting cases, and 75% of Hunting Act prosecutions (excluding hare coursing) fail.
What is Action Against Staghunting going to do about it?
We believe that the actions of the stag hunts are barbaric and clearly violate the spirit of the Hunting Act 2004. The law was intended to stop the hunting of wild mammals with dogs for sport, yet these hunts continue, causing immense suffering while claiming to act within the law. The Bateson Report (1997) demonstrated that stags experience extreme stress and physiological harm when hunted.