Richard Load and John Astwood. Earlier, in 1684 one William Robinson of Barking had been
apprehended carrying two Red deer skins to James Ward, a feltmonger at Stratford (Sharpe. 1986).
The 17th century saw the more widespread use of firearms to kill deer. Previously the crossbow had
been the favoured weapon: traps and snares were also used. In 1753 John Waples of Hale End had a
thief net, baited with bottles, flowers and mirrors confiscated. This trap was designed to arouse the
natural curiosity of deer. Dogs were also not infrequently used to poach the Forest deer. In 1732 it
was requested that the Keepers of the Forest ensured that dogs within their walks were lawed (the
cutting of dogs claws to prevent them from chasing the deer) (CA I p. 124). There are several cases of
guns being confiscated by the Court of Attachments. Three found hidden in the 'hay mow of the widow
Rogers' were said to be those of reputed deer-stealers Lord Rogers and Nympas Fuller. It was ordered
that the keeper have the guns for his own use (CA 1 p. 149). In 1812 an injured deer in Chingford Walk
was destroyed and the venison distributed to local fanners who had received damage from the deer
(CAIII p.116). Falling numbers of deer caused anxiety and on several occasions between 1643 and
1770 there were restraints on taking deer. In 1744 it was said due to the great destruction having been
made by deer-stealers (CA I p.171).
Some individuals were more subtle in their approach to poaching deer. Both Wanstead Park and
Woodredon Farm had deer-leaps in their perimeter, whereby the deer could easily get into the grounds
but could not get out and could thus be captured by the owner. A haha is mentioned for the grounds
of a house near Bushgate. Wanstead (EN XIX p.227). This was a device that acted as a barrier to the
escape of the deer from an enclosure. Deer hunting was a popular pastime in the Forest in the 18th
and 19th centuries. In 1806 the Duke of Bourbon is recorded illicitly hunting the deer in Hainault
Forest (CA III p.75). Tommy Rounding, publican of what is now the Horse and Wells at Woodford,
was well-known in his day as an avid hunter of deer with Long Wellesley, the Lord Warden of the
Forest. In 1720 a licence was issued for the enclosure of 3 acres of ground within the Forest for the
construction of a 'Dogg Kennell and other necessary's for his Majts Hounds'. I suspect the kennels
were those eventually built at Chingford (VCH V, p.108).
The 19th century was a period of mixed fortune for the Forest deer. In the early part of that century
it is said the last Red deer were captured and carted to Windsor, a repeat of an earlier episode in 1739
when Red deer were removed from the Forest (Essex Countryside, April 1963). Fallow deer numbers
declined dramatically. In 1849 there were 230 individuals but by 1871 only a handful were left. Roe
deer were introduced to the Forest in 1883 by Edward North Buxton. Just prior to this. Red deer were
re-introduced but the experiment was not considered a success and the animals were destroyed
(Buxton, 1911). By 1898 deer numbers had risen substantially, with 162 Fallow and 23 Roe being
recorded (EN XI p.52).
It was not until 1960 that a sanctuary for the distinctive black Fallow deer of Epping Forest was
established at Birch Hall, Theydon Bois (Addison, 1977). The sanctuary was not stocked, but was
provided with leaps so that deer could pass in and out. Initially there were very few deer, only 9 in
1965. Two of the leaps were closed and the herd has since built up in numbers (over 150 in 1989),
which necessitates some culling. Deer are still present in the Forest, often in small herds of 9 or 10
beasts. Here they still have to contend with poachers: many deer have shotgun pellet wounds. Dogs,
too, can be a problem. Deer can usually outrun them, but pregnant does near fawning time can be
troubled by them. Cars, particularly on the Epping New Road regularly claim many victims. In October
1990 a Red Deer stag weighing 290 lbs. was hit by a car on the Ml 1 motorway at Woodford Bridge;
the only recent record of this species in the Epping Forest area.
References
Addison, W. (1977) Portrait of Epping Forest. Hale.
Buxton, E. N. (1911) Epping Forest. Eighth Edition. London.
Rackham, O. 91978) (in Corke, D., Ed.) Epping Forest - the natural aspect? Essex Naturalist (N.S.) No. 2 p. 42-43.
Sharpe, J. A. (Ed.) (1986) 'William Holcroft His Booke' Local Office-holding in late Stuart Essex. E.R.O. Essex Historical Documents 2 (Pubn.
no. 90).
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