Great response from a non-staghunter

This is a reply to one of those chat forums that can so often get bogged down in overheated arguments that end up with name calling and embellished "I heard" stories. This woman, who calls herself Exmoor Jane replied to another contributer named Gardenwitch with what I thought is one of the most honest, level-headed and informative replies as to why, even though she does not like hunting, she sees why Exmoor has staghunting and has taken the time to meet some hunters and discover that they are not Satan in disguise but mostly ordinary country folks.

Gardenwitch, hi - with the greatest of respect you do not know how staghunting functions. I am no expert but I have learned a lot since moving to Exmoor about how it works and the rationale behind it.

The breaking up of the herds is actually very healthy as it prevents inbreeding. And yes, they CAN and do pick out which stag to chase (it's called harbouring). It is not the luck of the draw and hounds are frequently called off the 'wrong' stag. Exmoor has a staggering healthy red deer herd - and, like it or not, it can be traced back to when staghunting was reintroduced. Before that the herd had declined nearly to a standstill as farmers would not tolerate deer damage.

I have watched the hunt from my window over the last eight years and so far have yet to hear a screeching screaming hoard of hooligans.

I totally understand that you find hunting an abomination. As I have said frequently, I don't like it either. But I do think it's important to have all the facts. So much of what goes on in the countryside is misunderstood. The hunting debate was, to my mind, a clear case of neither side being prepared to listen and learn from one another - surely understanding comes through reasoned debate and open enquiry, not from just shouting and yelling?

I think it's obvious you don't know any people who hunt. I do - and they are not hooligans and they do not suffer any particular form of pent-up aggression. Far from it. They are - round here at least - normal working people. All my neighbours hunt - farmers, housewives, agricultural workers, a cleaner, the primary school secretary. They know my views and respect them. The hunt will avoid our land if it possibly can and we never have the field riding over. We are always treated with huge respect and consideration.

And, just to mention your last point - no, they often don't catch the deer or fox!!

I do find myself in a curious position here - but I feel it is important to present the alternative argument.