The New Forest is overpopulated with Fallow Deer.
I've counted a gang of more than 70 in the valley where I live and they have become very bold with little fear of humans. This makes them a problem in gardens as there is no way to deter them - shouting, chasing and gesticulating seems to have little effect.
At this time of year the young bucks have time on their hands and they are always on the look out for mischief. This one clearly got too intimate with a rope left lying around and ended up wearing it. I was impressed that he managed to maintain a a noble posture rather than crawling of into a corner out of embarrassment. I found the rope in our field a few days after taking the photo, I'm sure he's relieved to be rid of it!
Hi Richard
I have seen a similar thing on the training area at Longmoor but it was a lot more sinister.
Poachers set a rope with a noose as a snare on a 'leap' and caught a deer but the rope had snapped after the deer struggled.
It was so badly injured it was put out of its misery by the Ranger that covers Longmoor Army camp in Hampshire.
Good photo though:-0)
Best regards
Phil
Posted by: Philip Voice | March 28, 2007 at 08:41 AM