While its cruelty has been scientifically proven, supporters often argue that without stag hunts, landowners would take deer management into their own hands, leading to a decimation of the population. Is this the case?
Preservation versus Bloodlust
Sympathisers often attempt to frame the hunt as custodians of our wildlife – the only reason that red deer are still permitted to exist on Exmoor and the Quantocks. And it’s true that some hunt-loving farmers and landowners will tolerate red deer on their land (eating their forage or crops) to ensure there’s something there to chase.
So, to a certain extent, stag hunting may mean red deer are given a degree of good grace by certain landowners. Does this mean stag hunting is justified or in any way acceptable? Of course not.
There’s a clear parallel to be drawn here with the concept of trophy hunting funding conservation efforts in Africa. Should tolerating a minority group’s bloodlust be the price we pay to preserve a population? Is this an ethical approach to conservation, in line with our nation’s moral compass?
Preserving red deer for the purpose of providing entertainment during hunts undermines every principle of wildlife conservation. And if deer numbers are reduced via culling, a stressful chase to the point of collapse can never be framed as the most ethical (or even efficient) method of dispatch.
The British Deer Society supports this stance:
“The BDS is unable to justify the deliberate pursuit of healthy deer with hounds as an acceptable method of control.”
“The (often prolonged) pursuit of a hunted animal before its eventual despatch is not comparable with the selective and efficient use of an appropriate firearm for deer control.”
(Source)
No Stalking Allowed
Start digging online, and you’ll see there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that the stag hunts also aggressively ring fence the right to kill red deer in their territories.
“Hi, anybody know of any good outfitters to stalk on Exmoor?”
“Not a chance, the stag hounds boys have it all sewn up. There are a couple of chaps who do some stalking on Exmoor but they wouldn’t want to advertise. It would risk ostracizing them selves in the community. I have stalked stags on the moor but to this day I wouldn’t want my hound following friends to know.” (Source)
“So how would you recommend dealing with the people who turned up at a local stalker’s house at 3am and proceeded to run a number of chainsaws flat-out to intimidate him and his family? Or how about the members of a local hunt who stoned another stalker? Maybe you’re just going to tell me that these poor sods weren’t victims and just needed to grow up…” (Source)
You’ll also hear the argument that hunts are helpful in reducing the illegal poaching of deer. While poaching is a big problem, this is just another example of the hunt protecting their own interests – stopping one group from targeting the animals that they believe they should have the pleasure of killing themselves.
Herd Management or Research and Observation?
It’s also important to note that stag hunts predominantly operate under the “research and observation” exemption. Whenever they assemble under this dubious banner, the purpose of that meet is categorically not to provide a management service, but (allegedly) to perform scientific study.
If landowners still view the hunt as a management service, this adds weight to the theory that “exempt” hunting of this nature is nothing more than a box ticking exercise, allowing recreational hunting to continue as it always has done, without close scrutiny.
Our legal review of stag hunting in the UK has explored the threadbare justifications and legal loopholes that stag hunts are exploiting and revealed many areas of concern.
Again, The British Deer Society supports this stance:
“Use of the ‘observation and study’ defence is widely seen as the cynical use of a legal loophole.”
(Source)
The Myth of Mercy Killings
Another argument made by hunt supporters is that stag hunts perform “mercy killings” of sick or injured animals, ultimately helping to preserve a healthy herd. However, the act of stalking and shooting a wounded animal, done swiftly and skilfully, is a far less stressful and more humane method of euthanasia.
It’s perplexing that the same level of mercy cannot be extended without the presence of a chase, hounds, mounted riders (and, on some occasions, hundreds of supporters.) But the primary motivation behind stag hunts is, of course, the spectacle, not genuine concern for the welfare of the animals.
Wildlife rescue groups help injured deer on a daily basis – you won’t find them dressing up in costumes or inviting a paying audience to observe their work.
The British Deer Society states:
The BDS believes that if a deer can be located or even selected for hunting with hounds at the beginning of the day, it is far more humane to stalk it quietly and cull it humanely with a rifle rather than to chase it with hounds and then shoot it when it is exhausted.
(Source)
The Need for Alternative Conservation Approaches
If we genuinely care about the preservation of red deer populations, it is imperative to acknowledge their impact and incorporate their well-being into future agriculture subsidies for wildlife.
Allocating resources towards sustainable conservation efforts that prioritise habitat preservation, reducing human-wildlife conflicts and implementing non-lethal population management methods should and must be the way forward.
The presence of red deer in their natural habitat doesn’t need justification. But it’s worth remembering what a huge draw the herds are when it comes to tourism – the latest Review of Deer Management on the National Trust’s Holnicote estates states:
“A high proportion of visitors to Holnicote are known to visit specifically in the hope of being able to observe deer, with a major increase over recent years in particular in numbers of the public coming to view the deer during the autumn rut.”
The report goes on to recommend several “measures aimed at enhancing the public amenity value of red deer and wildlife viewing opportunities” which also “alleviate some of its potential detrimental impacts”. These include “Encouraging farm tenants to continue to enable deer access to rut on pasture fields, where these provide good viewing opportunities for the public at a distance and relatively low level of disturbance to the deer.”
By shifting the focus away from recreational hunting practices, we can ensure the long-term survival of red deer populations while respecting their natural behaviours and important ecological role.
So, Does Stag Hunting Protect Red Deer Populations?
Historically, stag hunts have protected deer… so that they (and ideally, they alone) could kill them. Preserving wildlife solely for the purpose of providing entertainment during hunt meets undermines the principles of ethical conservation.
To genuinely protect red deer populations, we must adopt alternative approaches that properly fund anti-poaching initiatives and prioritise sustainable conservation practices, and ensure their preservation becomes an integral part of future wildlife-focused agricultural subsidies.
Red deer are part of our collective natural history and heritage. Their presence in our landscape doesn’t need to be justified or monetised. The price of their survival should not be the tortuous chase and slaughter of individuals, as part of a recreational event enjoyed by a vanishingly small portion of the population.
It’s time for change, and real protection for red deer.