Evaluation
The following 5 criteria were agreed in conference, and I address each w.r.t. my chosen website and activity.
Is there a Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and is exploitation below the maximum sustainable of the system?
I do not believe an EIA exists.
However; the "British Deer Society" produces annual deer censuses, and many reports promoting management for healthy and viable herds are written.
The current parliamentary inquiry into the proposed ban has collected numerous reports made by all interested parties.
Those 'for' claim sustainability; those 'against' make not mention of environmental matters. Doubtless they would if adverse environmental consequences existed.
Exploitation is clearly below sustainable yield, as deer-hunting takes only 10-15% of the required cull.
Although no EIA exists, I believe that the website passes "the spirit of the criterion", if not the letter.
In calculating the maximum sustainable yield has the need to
- conserve biological diversity
- maintain the ecological functions of the ecosystem
- protect threatened/endangered species and their habitats
- recognise the natural cycles that affect the productivity of the ecosystem
been taken into account?
A "maximum sustainable yield" for hunting is not relevant, as its current yield is only 15% of the number that must be culled as part of responsible herd-management.
Biological diversity
Without hunting, wild deer herds would decline to extinction.
Both historical references and interviews with farmers over whose land deer roam support this claim.
When hunting stopped on the Quantocks between 1907 and 1917, wild herds declined almost to extinction. Parliamentary intervention restocked deer and financed a hunt, thus saving the herds.
The presence of deer herds in the SouthWest promotes biodiversity.
Ecosystem ecological function maintenance
Herd control is integral to countryside management and healthy herds. Man has replaced the natural predators (wolves, etc) who he has destroyed.
Protect threatened/endangered species and their habitats
The threat appears to be the proposed hunting ban. Without hunting, the wild deer will become endangered.
Recognise the natural cycles that affect the productivity of the ecosystem been taken into consideration?
Laws restrict the hunting season, and what age of animal and gender can be taken in specific month.
The practice of stag-hunting appears to fulfill all the relevant criteria above.
Do harvesting methods cause minimum acceptable damage to the environment and is this repaired?
As landowners are in general support of hunting, and farmers prefer to tolerate the damage done rather then prevent hunting on their land, this criterion is passed.
Damage caused by deer (destruction of hedges and eating of tree-bark) leads farmers to alter their farming methods to tolerate the presence of deer. Without the hunt, they would shoot the deer as pests.
As none of the reports offered to parliament (that I accessed) mentioned environmental damage, I presume it is at "an acceptable level".
Is there an ongoing monitoring plan to ensure harvesting is maintained at agreed levels and that any problems arising from the harvesting is identified swiftly to minimise damage?
The "British Deer Initiative" (whose "Deer Accord" is below) and other organizations are closely monitoring the wild deer herds and the effect of hunting, on both the herds and the environment.
Many management plans also exist.
This criterion is fulfilled.
The Deer Accord
Have the legal and customary rights of indigenous peoples to own, use and manage their lands and resources been considered and have these rights been protected?
It is these rights that are upheld by the hunting of deer.
The deer represent a living icon for many in the West Country's rural community who take great pride in "their" deer that they "keep" with their crops and their grass.
If the right to hunt is removed, this pride will be lost, the deer will be regarded as pests – and shot by farmers who currently tolerate them.
The West Country has thrived economically from the deer hunts and their side-industries for centuries.
If hunting stops, then not only will the income generated by, and livelihoods dependent on, hunting be lost, but so will a "way of life" that is traditional to that area.
Conclusion
The website selected makes clear that Stag-hunting is not only sustainable, but necessary for the survival of wild deer herds in the West Country.
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