It has just been anounced that the Fianna fail/Green Party coalition are trying to ban the hunting of stags in ireland, meaning the Ward Union Stag Hunt in county Meath. This petition is to SAVE THE WARD UNION STAG HOUNDS! SIGN IT AND IT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE FIANNA FAIL AND GREEN PARTIES, LETS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!! The Ward Union Stag Hunt is the only hunt in the Republic hunting the deer and although they are a solo organisation they have a large membership and an enormous following in their hunting country of North Co. Dublin and Co. Meath. Because the magnificent quarry is visible at long range, the queue of cars full of spectators that follow the hunt often dwarfs the mounted numbers that attempt to keep up with the hounds. The Ward Union maintain a one hundred strong herd of pure bred Irish Red Deer (the only such herd in the country) with the minimum of human intervention. They hunt only stags, which are not killed, but are recaptured and returned to the herd after a period of rest and monitoring. The management of this herd plays an important role in the conservation of our native deer species. This is not a cruel sport, as each stag is rarely used more than once a year, meaning it has 364 days of grazing prime land. The deer that are hunted(as well as the whole herd) receive veterinary care after each outhing and are found to have little or no injuries. Without the Ward Union Stag Hunt the population of Irish Red Deer in ireland will most likely be extinct! Jobs will be lost, Hounds and horses will be killed as they no longer serve the purpose for which they are bred. For anyone who hunts, be it stag, fox, hare or drag it would be in there best interest that this ban is not recognised as it effects all these sports, any one who thinks this is a cruel sport should follow the hunt for a day or talk to the supporters, followers and farmers of the Wards and listen to what they have to say. Dont judge something you have no idea about! PLEASE SIGN: