Stag Hunting, The Exemptions To The Law

As with other forms of hunting, stag hunting also contains exemptions to the law, and loopholes which allows this barbaric bloodsport to continue under the ‘smokescreen’ of a lawful activity.

The 2004 Hunting Act bans hunting of wild mammals with a pack of hounds, but the exemption is two hounds can be used to flush the chosen quarry to be shot by gun. That might sound black and white to the average normal person, however to the types who choose to participate in such activities it’s seen as a loophole to bend the law so they can get as much enjoyment and excitement to fill their bloodlust as possible.

Whilst more often than not during the last season two hounds were being seen to be used, on occasion more hounds were witnessed chasing stags. On one occasion after having very little success with two hounds, sabs caught the hunt illegally pursuing a stag with three hounds. On another occasion when the hunt thought they were out of sight it was reported six hounds were being used. Another ‘terribly good wheeze’ to rinse the law for all it’s worth, is something known as ‘relaying’, rather that just having the two hounds, the hunt will have more hounds with them to swap over once the first hounds start to tire.

The definition of the term ‘to flush’, is for example to send the two hounds into the woods or cover, and use them to spook(flush) the stag out into the open to be shot by a waiting marksman. This most certainly is not what is happening. The hunt will search for a herd of deer, with the supporters driving around the area calling in when deer are spotted.

Once a herd of deer is located the hunt will attempt to isolate the chosen stag from the rest of the herd. The stag is now being hunted, not being flushed as the law states. The chase can go on for hours, one report from the season reported witnessing a stag being chased for 15km, and this is a common occurrence. The chosen stag will be hunted until he finally drops to the ground from exhaustion, this causes the stag unimaginable amounts of stress both mentally and physically.

The blood junkies will try to justify their brutal crimes by using the exemption excuses claiming this is for ‘research’ and that they are only dispatching sick or injured animals. It’s clearly not the case, a sick or injured animal would not be able to run for hours on end.

One example of this from the season just ended was after a young stag had been chased for hours and finally collapsed from exhaustion and was shot, the hunt tried the claim they had identified this perfectly healthy young stag as having TB, similar to ridiculous claims fox hunts will make regarding only killing sick and old foxes whilst they are digging them out and going cub hunting.

What ‘research’ they can claim they are carrying out is difficult to put a finger on, chasing healthy stags for hours until the animals body quits, them shooting him, then chopping him up and taking trophies, like bits of liver and handing out teeth to the children, maybe they are researching just how twisted they can be.

The stag hunts attract some of the most unsavoury characters in society. The supporters and followers play a vital role in what is undoubtedly illegal hunting. The support are often violent and once the fox and hare hunts have finished for the season are joined by their members. Incidents this past season included the usual threats and attempts at intimidation, assaults and criminal damage to sab vehicles.

The hunt support will race around in their vehicles looking for a stag to alert the huntsman. They’ll also attempt to slow down any fleeing stags or turn the stag back towards the hounds by hollering and making as much noise as possible. There are areas the hunt are not allowed, like National Trust land and land owned by LACS, although trespassing is rife. The support and field riders will try their utmost to stop the stag seeking sanctuary on this land. Deer fencing is also erected by the hunt along boundaries of sanctuary land to stop the stags and turn them back.

Other breaches of the law recorded this season have included hounds mauling a stag after they have collapsed from exhaustion whilst the sabs are attempting to get to the stag. Firearms offences, including shooting a stag next to a public road and on one occasion as a sab was making their way to a collapsed stag when the stag was shot with the sab in line of the shot.

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