Deer hunting

cm1179 · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:13

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11624253

i can't understand why this still goes on in this country. seems like a great way for the well off to feel manly about themselves

the story in the link is shocking imo

Cosimo · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:21

I wonder if this would have been a story if it hadn't been the Exmoor Emperor who was shot.

touch · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:21

Here, deer hunting is neccesary to control the deer population.
Dont know if its the same elsewhere?
I'd guess not considering it was shot by a "hunter" rather than a gamekeeper, seems more like a "sport"

cm1179 · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:23

simulatorman said:
I wonder if this would have been a story if it hadn't been the Exmoor Emperor who was shot.

the fact it was killed in the middle of the annual rut is the other strong point but i think you are right

Vonhelmet · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:31

Venison is delicious. Om nom nom. If they eat the meat, I don't care that they've killed it. I'm not keen on hunting for sport, though.

And if they shouldn't be hunted during rutting season, then that's an argument for tightening up regulations, and little else.

Clum · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:33

touch said:
Here, deer hunting is neccesary to control the deer population.
Dont know if its the same elsewhere?
I'd guess not considering it was shot by a "hunter" rather than a gamekeeper, seems more like a "sport"

All over the world the deer are almost always shot by 'hunters' rather than the gamekeeper. The exception would be when small does or injured deer need shot. Especially in Scotland, hunting is extremely profitable for the estates and is one of their main sources of income. People will travel from all over the world to shoot stags and will pay insane amounts of money to do so. Have a search around, week long stalking packages at the more prestigious estates can run into 5 figures with hospitality.

The fact is that every year, the herds do need to be controlled for their continued well-being. Whether people agree with hunting or not, it's a job that needs to be done, and if money can be made which ultimately keeps these animals in a home, then why not?

Personally I support every aspect of hunting when done properly. However, given that this old boy was apparently the biggest wild animal in the country, I would have like to have seen some provision to keep him alive for as long as possible. Certainly should have been given a fair chance to pass on his genes. He was special and maybe should have been treated that way. Something for the people running that estate to have a long think about for the future.

Fenris · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:34

The deer population in the UK is incredibly high, either we allow hunting, enforce culls of use forms of population control which would cost a fortune.

However I agree this guy seems to be something special, should probably have been protected a little more carefully.

jamief · 26 Oct 2010 at 13:47

cm1179 said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11624253

i can't understand why this still goes on in this country. seems like a great way for the well off to feel manly about themselves

the story in the link is shocking imo

Generally the deer manager(s) will allow a beast such as this to be killed so that the income received can be used to manage the rest of the deer in the area. In a perfect world only the old/sick would be shot, but unfortunately funds are very limited.

touch · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:05

Clum said:
All over the world the deer are almost always shot by 'hunters' rather than the gamekeeper.

Oh, really? I knew that people can pay a lot of money to go hunting but i always thought that this made up for a smaller ammount of the deer shot and that gamekeepers did most of the work.

Westyfield2 · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:07

Fox hunting - Yes
Deer hunting - No

Though if anyone wants some venison we regulary get the critters in the garden

! I'll never forget the Christmas where I woke up to find the back garden covered in snow and a family of deer stood there :cool:

.

Rainmaker · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:07

I see no real issue here. Our deer herds require very careful management and regular culling is a part of this. It ensures the health of the entire herd, especially by ensuring overpopulation doesn't lead to starvation.

EDIT: To address the OP more specifically:

cm1179 said:
i can't understand why this still goes on in this country. seems like a great way for the well off to feel manly about themselves

the story in the link is shocking imo

It goes on, as above, because it's necessary. Also what does wealth have to do with matters? Typical class warfare ignorance tbh. Anybody can (and does) go deer stalking. Class, wealth etc has nothing to do with it.

MattTheTall77 · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:09

Milkybk said:
I still think you should be able to hunt foxes.

for me it's the fact that people make it an event and take enjoyment from the chasing and killing of an animal. Same reason I don't agree with bull fighting, as a species we should be better than that.

^TANK^ · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:10

cm1179 said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-11624253

i can't understand why this still goes on in this country. seems like a great way for the well off to feel manly about themselves

the story in the link is shocking imo

You're barking up the wrong tree here, there are many people on this forum who enjoy rubbing their penis on dead animal for fun.

Tally Ho old boy!

^TANK^ · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:11

Milkybk said:
I still think you should be able to hunt foxes.

As in shoot or on horse back with the hounds?

Rainmaker · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:12

^TANK^ said:
As in shoot or on horse back with the hounds?

It's not me you're asking, but my answer is that it's already still legal to shoot foxes. I'm against any kind of hunt ban in general though.

^TANK^ · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:14

Rainmaker said:
It's not me you're asking, but my answer is that it's already still legal to shoot foxes. I'm against any kind of hunt ban in general though.

Are you saying you condone fox hunting via horse back with the hounds?

Rainmaker · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:15

^TANK^ said:
Are you saying you condone fox hunting via horse back with the hounds?

Yup, same as I do in every other thread where this rears its head.

cm1179 · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:15

Rainmaker said:
It goes on, as above, because it's necessary. Also what does wealth have to do with matters? .

i don't know how many people on here would have the spare cash to pay for this activity?

Rainmaker · 26 Oct 2010 at 14:17

cm1179 said:
i don't know how many people on here would have the spare cash to pay for this activity?

It's not that expensive. Especially once you have your certificate. I've partaken in most forms of hunting, and I'm a pauper from a council estate. I don't see what the fuss is about tbh, especially with all the ignorant townies shouting about the "toffs". Some toff, me.