THE glimpse of a stag in the autumn at rutting or an unexpected encounter of a herd of hinds on Exmoor is a spectacle relished by locals and visitors alike. Their majesty is undeniable. However, what is taken for granted is the herd’s robust health, and this does not happen by chance. For centuries, the sole reason red deer have survived and flourished here is the acknowledged consequence of the unique symbiosis between the farming and hunting communities.
From Saxon times, when much of Exmoor was a royal forest, strict laws protected deer to maintain a supply of venison and a hunting ground for the king. The antiquity of staghunting on Exmoor is well-documented, with the first records of hounds being kept at Simonsbath in 1598 or thereabouts. Between then and about 1775 the warden of the forest was responsible for maintaining forest law and the supply of venison to the royal courts, and also acted as master of the staghounds.
Latterly and as the forest boundaries contracted, the role became the responsibility of the master of the North Devon Staghounds, the precursor to the Devon and Somerset Staghounds which continue to exercise the management of the deer today.
The deer belong to whosoever’s ground they travel across or feed on. The fact that landowners stomach significant damage to crops and field boundaries is testament to the reverence with which the deer are held on Exmoor.
Its population has remained constant at 3,400 head for the past eight years. According to the Exmoor and District Deer Management Society, which organises the annual February count, this figure is healthy for 692sq km (267sq miles) of moor; stock are fit, in good condition and breeding regularly.
This story is from the January 23, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 23, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New competition and classification to mean dressage will be for all
The new partnerships with British Dressage will provide opportunities for riders with intellectual disabilities
Pressure grows on the FEI to tackle concerns in dressage
A leading judge has made some recommendations he believes will help support the sport's future
Aidan Coleman
Just a week after he announced his enforced retirement with a career-ending injury, Aidan Coleman talks through his raw emotions with Kate Johnson as he ponders life outside the weighing room
Badminton groundsman
Phil Cole on flawless going for cross-country, perfecting his craft on polo pitches and being at the mercy of the weather
Pulling power
Carriage-driving horses have a very specific job, and with that can come specific injury risks. Rosie Mould MRCVS explains
'Plenty to get your teeth into'
This year's Badminton track is testing, but fair, says Nicola Wilson, the 2021 European champion who finished in the top 10 at this five-star four times
Townend leads British domination
The world number one spearheads a British clean sweep of the podium as he contests his 100th five-star
Birch is back in the big time
A former Olympic reserve rider scores her first international win in four years, while Kelsall specialists make their mark again
Comeback queens reign
Rehab work pays off for Anna Ross as she makes a winning return, while a pair of young riders' birthday wishes come true
Pender keeps it in the family
Ireland's Mikey Pender begins a remarkable grand prix winning double and it all comes together in the ring for a \"special character\"