314 THE RED DEER OE EXMOOR. 



with staghunting on Exmoor for upwards of five 

 centuries. Under his able management effective 

 steps were taken to ensure that casual visitors to the 

 moor, who come down to enjoy the pleasure of stag- 

 hunting, should contribute adequately to its support, 

 and particularly to the Deer Damage Fund. 



The depredations of the deer were so extensive, 

 and upon some farms the loss was so heavy, that no 

 farmer, however well disposed to the hunt, could 

 afford the loss. Compensation, as adequate as 

 circumstances would permit of, was the only remedy. 

 The outcry did not come only from the farmers, for 

 some of the most zealous of the deer-preserving 

 landowners impressed upon the committee the 

 absolute necessity of effecting a considerable reduc- 

 tion in the herd. 



Mr. Sanders' first season was highly successful, 

 both from the point of view of the deer killed and of 

 the excellent runs obtained, and everyone was 

 delighted. An important step towards the solution 

 of the great problem of dealing with the herd was 

 taken when, with the approbation of the Hunt 

 Committee, Mr. Sanders arranged to lend the 

 country south of the Taunton and Barnstaple railway 

 to Sir John Heathcote Amory, of Knightshayes 

 Court, Tiverton, who undertook to keep up a pack 

 of hounds and hunt the district, including the 

 coverts near Barnstaple. Mr. Ian Amory carried 

 the horn, with Messrs. Albert and Clement de Las 

 Casas to whip in to him, and very excellent sport 



