Prized Exmoor stag shot dead 'by trophy hunters'

..........................................................Simon de Bruxelles

ONE of the finest stags on Exmoor has been found shot dead after being protected by local farmers for years because of its magnificent antlers.The red deer was shot through the chest but managed to stagger more than a mile bleeding profusely beforecollaspsing and dying on the banks of the East Lyn river at Brendon near Lynton in DevonJoe Floyd thefarmer who found the dead stag, said that the animal was well knownbecauseof its prize antlers.He believes that it may have been shot by poachers after a trophy but who had fled after it had been shot.Mr Floyd said "Everyone knows him round here because of his head. Everyone allowed him the run of their land. He could go wherever he wanted. I think its disgusteding that some idiot has gone and shot him like this."Mr Floyd found the dead animal by following the trail of blood which led to its body. He said "They didn't shoot it properlyMr Floyd said "Everyone knows him round here because of his head. Everyone allowed him the run of their land. He could go wherever he wanted. I think its disgusting that some idiot has gone and shot him like this." Mr Floyd found the dead animal by following the trail of blood which led to its body. He said "They didn't shoot it properly so he was able to run off and died later. It wasn't a clean shot and I should think he must have run a mile or more. He was shot low down in the lungs. He ended up in the river in Brendon. I was driving past and saw his body there I thought I had to get him out of the river. I could see a trail of blood across the road where he had been running."Exmoor National Park in Devon is known for its 3000 red deer and local farmers havesaid that if hunting is banned many of them could be killed. Inspector Nevin Hunter a wildlife liason officer for Devon and Cornwall Police, said there had been recent reports of poaching in the area. He said, "There is a premium for poachers with this sort of thing. People will pay a lot of money to have a head like that mountde for their wall." Mr Floyd added:"This will happen to lots more red deer on Exmoor if they ban hunting. A good head like that can go for anything up to a £1000. I've cut the head off and I will keep it.