Deer Forests

Deer Forests, tracts of wild mountain and moorland for the preservation of the red-deer. Their extent in Scotland is estimated at a tenth of the whole area, and they stretch virtually right across it. Much feeling has been aroused by the alleged clearances of crofters to make room for deer, and by the fact that the forests are often rented by wealthy strangers, who substitute for the skilful and admirable sport of deerstalking the mere butchery of the deer-drive. The island of Rum is the most recent case of clearance. Deer forests should not be confused with the deer parks of England, where the deer are hardly to be regarded as ferae naturae.