Ban on deer hunting will lead to herd decimationHaving recently left the League Against Cruel Sports after nine years as head of

Ban on deer hunting will lead to herd decimation
Letter to the West Country Press from Graham Sirl, sacked chief of League Against Cruel Sports Sanctuary at Dulverton, Somerset

Having recently left the League Against Cruel Sports after nine years as head of Westcountry operations, I now feel I should put forward my own views on deer hunting with hounds. I have not changed my view that hunting with hounds is unnecessary and involves cruelty to the individual deer being hunted. However, I do now believe that hunting with hounds does play an integral part in the management system for deer on Exmoor and the Quantocks. In some instances, hunting in general is a constitutive part of Westcountry rural community life. Those who do not acknowledge this to be true, or similarly choose to ignore same, are turning their backs on an argument they know is difficult to win.

Before going to the Westcountry, I had followed deer hunting in the New Forest. There this form of hunting was truly only carried out for recreational purposes. Management was carried out by Forestry Commission keepers and the use of the rifle. Following the commission's ban on deer hunting on its land, the forestry authorities increased cull figures. This was not surprising as they do regard deer as pests.

In the Westcountry, more deer are shot than killed by hounds. Take away hunting and the management system will break down. Over the years, and many meetings with landowners and others, I have come to the conclusion that in the event of a total hunt ban, the deer population will be decimated. This view is shared by many, including some who remain independent on the hunting issue.

As well as the 50-plus registered stalkers already operating on Exmoor, a ban will attract an influx of inexperienced guns from outside the area. The end result will be a significant drop in deer numbers, together with an increase in injured and wounded animals. Because of landowners such as the National Park and the National Trust, the deer will survive, but it will take many years before the population recovers to today's figures.

Sadly, a ban on hunting will not save one animal's life. The current Bill before Parliament will do little for animal welfare. It seeks the abolition of one method of killing, hunting. Unfortunately, it still leaves many more, which will continue to be used for so long as they are legal. Greater protection is needed for the quarry species, therefore prior to, or following a ban, amendments must be made to the Wild Mammals Protection Act 1986. Failure to bring in such protection will inevitably lead to an increase in activities such as fox, deer and hare drives. This will be nothing short of unmanaged, indiscriminate slaughter. Deer must also become an asset to the local community via tourism, not to be hunted, but to be viewed and photographed by visitors and residents alike.

Finally, I would urge all those currently involved in deer management, on both sides of the argument, to sit down and plan for the future. Hunting as we know it could be finished. It is up to you to seek and find the humane alternative before it is too late.

Graham Sirl
Wilverley Road
Wootton, New Milton, Hants

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