Stag hunting can be a daunting and emotional subject, that’s why we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions, as well as a power point presentation to try and provide you with as much information as possible.
Stag Hunting Power Point
Questions and Answers
What hounds do they use to hunt stags, are they the same as fox hounds?
Stag hounds are not the same as fox hounds. Stag hounds are larger and generally heavier than fox hounds. Both hounds are trained to follow completely different scents.
Is Stag hunting dying out?
The fact that there are now only three remaining staghound groups in the country is an indicator that stag hunting is in fact on the brink of demise. There has always been a strong opposition to stag hunting due to the extreme cruelty. With the help of the internet the general public are becoming more aware that a past time they believed was consigned to the history books, is still in fact very much present in the South West. This is resulting in a new wave of people who are appalled by the level of animal cruelty and are willing to make a stand.
The end of the New Forest Buckhounds is an example of how persistent monitoring and public opposition can end animal cruelty.
Does hunting hinds differ from hunting stags?
Generally, hinds tend to run further than stags, resulting in a longer chase. There is an extra element of cruelty when hunting hinds due to the fact that many that are hunted are either pregnant or have a fawn with them. In most cases where a fawn is present, it will run to try and stay with its mother. This often results in extremely painful injuries to the fawn, meaning it too will be killed by the hunt or left to die. Monitors of hunts have witnessed the painful emotional toll that faces a hunted hind as she is forced to leave her baby behind while she runs for her life, knowing that her child is extremely unlikely to survive without her.
Hunts do not distinguish or make special exclusions for pregnant hinds, they will force them to endure hours of torturous chasing before killing her as well as the baby inside her.
In England Deer are culled for population control. Are the number of deer killed by hunts included in those figures?
Hunts are keen to be seen as a pivotal pillar of the community and a required service. However, there is no set way to conclude how many deer they kill each season. Affiliated companies such as Quantock Deer Management and Conservation group and Exmoor and Devon deer management are actively involved in ‘managing’ deer within these areas. There is no legal obligation for landowners to disclose how many deer are killed on their land therefore making any figures published extremely unreliable.
Do hunts deal with injured stags?
Quite frequently hunts will be called upon to dispatch an injured deer. This may be due to a road traffic collision or other injury. Only someone with an open licence that allows them to use their firearm on any land has permission to do this. The police will very often call upon the hunts to come and undertake this task and they are more than willing to oblige. They will also remove the body and often use it as food for hounds.
Do stag hunts have terrier men present?
There is no requirement for terrier men during a stag hunt as the animal is too large to go to ground. However, the equivalent can usually be found supporting the hunt by acting as an additional hound. They will intimidate the direction of travel of the stag, alert the hunt to its location and intimidate anyone who opposes what is happening. They will usually be travelling on quad bikes and some of these people may have firearms with them.
Is it true that hunts have been known to try and charge passing tourists to watch what they are doing?
Hunts do charge spectators, even though it is illegal to hunt a stag for sport. Field riders will pay a cap to attend and spectators are also expected to pay to watch. Tourists can also pay local companies such as Red Stag Safari to take them along to hunt meets while they are on holiday.
If you have any questions that are not answered above then please get in touch at campaigns@actionagainststaghunting.org and we will do our best to help.