John Stride
28th October 1949
On 2nd August, in the year of 1100, whilst hunting deer in the New Forest, King William ll, or William Rufus as he was better known was killed by an arrow from Sir William Tyrell’s bow. It is interesting to note that after his 
tragic demise hunting of the fallow deer continued to take place in one form or another every year right up until 26th March, 1997, an amazing 997 years. The New Forest Buckhounds had their last ever day’s hunting on that date when urban pressures culminated together and made it impossible to carry on and on 28th July they were disbanded. It was not only a truly sad occasion, but with their passing went a deep knowledge and understanding of the fallow deer and most importantly their welfare.
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