NOW I have no idea about the reasons for culling elderly stags, but I must say that I find the shooting of the magnificent beast dubbed the Emperor of Exmoor quite appalling.

Experts say it was shot by an experienced hunter for around £1,000 because at 12 years of age it had outlived its usefulness. How dreadful is that?

This magnificent beast, which stood 9ft tall, was a gorgeous sight to behold and to think that now its antlers will probably be adorning some stately home or public house is a sad indictment on humanity.

Would it not have been better for a wildlife conservationist to have kept this wonderful animal on a piece of land – rather like an animal old folk's home – where it could live out the rest of its live in peace and relative comfort, and those who wished to view it in all its majesty could have a day out to marvel at the magnificence of the Emperor of Exmoor?

As I have often written, I am neither for nor against hunting – everyone has an opinion on this vexed subject.

But I surely condemn the killing of this wonderful stag, even if some experts say it was the right thing to do.

So that I can understand why the Emperor of Exmoor met his death, perhaps the landowner and the stalker could come forward and tell me how the stag died, and also justify their reasoning. But I guess that is unlikely to happen. It would be far too emotive.

Colin Richey

Lazenby Road, Tiverton