Studies of English red deer populations subject to hunting-to-hounds

Synopsis

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) around Exmoor and the Quantocks are the only red deer populations in the United Kingdom subject to traditional hunting-to-hounds. The history of deer hunting on Exmoor stretches back at least until the eleventh century and the establishment of the Royal ‘Exmoor Forest’. The present style of hunting by riding to hounds is comparatively modern, revived on Exmoor around the middle of the eighteenth century; staghunting on the Quantocks dates back only to 1920, following reintroduction of red deer there specifically for this sport.

This chapter examines current numbers and distribution of red deer herds on Exmoor and the Quantocks and explores trends in population size over the last 20 years. Data are presented on condition (as body-weight) and fecundity. Based on these figures the authors attempt to extrapolate future changes in population size over the next 20 years given a range of hypothetical culling regimes. Against this context they then investigate estimates of the overall cull imposed on these deer populations in the recent past by differing methods, including both hunting and rifle shooting, to assess the impact of hunting-to-hounds on red deer numbers and its potential contribution in regulating population size. Finally, the effects of regular hunting on red deer distribution and social organization are addressed briefly

The present studies suggest that these deer populations are highly productive. The annual cull taken by hunting, of around 2–4% of the autumn population, even when taken in combination with an estimated additional cull of 8–12% contributed by rifle shooting, has not prevented substantial population increases over recent decades.