DEER IN SUSSEX WOODLANDS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Could not Mr. Bickersteth hand over the reduction of his fallow deer to those humanitarians, in the R.S.P.C.A. and elsewhere, who are so cocksure that deer in woodland areas can be killed as easily and humanely as in parks and Scottish deer forests ? If they were successful they would, for the first time in their lives, have made a really valuable contribution towards the solution of a hard problem of the humane control of the increase of large wild animals : if they failed, they might at least begin to learn that virtue of humility which is so becoming in those who, being without experience themselves, seek to criticize and direct the conduct of others. Personally I know of no humane way of dealing with deer living under the conditions described by your correspondent other than the expensive method of fencing all crops and young plantations against them. A very few might be humanely shot by long and patient waiting at favourite feeding places, but as these would probably only be approached after dark directly the shooting began it is unlikely that enough deer would be killed to check their natural increase, let alone reduce their existing numbers.— I am, Sir, &c., TAVISTOCK. Glentrool Lodge, Newton Stewart, Scotland.
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