READ MORE: The City of London Corporation has confirmed the areas where hunting is allowed.

Furious members of the public have condemned the “appalling” decision to allow private club members to roam 2,000 acres of Epping Forest, shooting deer at will.

The Capreolus Club says it has “exclusive rights” from the City of London Corporation (CoL) to hunt Fallow and Muntjac deer in 15 areas, which the club has so far refused to identify.

New members apply to shoot in the forest and are assessed by the head stalker, being given a rifle before being directed to suitable areas, either unaccompanied or with the head stalker until they are judged “competent” to hunt alone.

Many people living in the district say they were completely unaware of the year-round hunting club until a social media post on an online forum yesterday (November 28).

Writing online, Tracy Nash said hunting in the forest is “an accident waiting to happen” because of its popularity with the public.

Peter Hurwood wrote: “Epping Forest is a public space for all to enjoy.

“People should not have to feel they risking being struck down by stray bullets by simply taking a walk in there!”

The CoL’s decision to award hunting rights has been criticised as a “disgrace”, and many want to know why there was not a widespread consultation or publicity campaign.

“I am sickened, shocked and saddened at the corporation’s decision to allow deer hunting for fun in our forest,” said Lorraine Richards.

“How dare they assume we will think this is acceptable.

“The forest is not a business, it is home to many species of animals, used by many people from far and wide.”

Miles Gouch also wrote: “We are talking about a public space which for the most part is within the M25 and close to our capital.

“The idea that a gun club can sell the rights to stalk live 'prey' within sight and sound of such a massive population is appalling.

“By all previous information we understand that a cull is required but to do it in the name of sport is outrageous.

“STOP THIS NOW!”

The Capreolus Club website, http://www.capreolusclub.co.uk/, advertises standard membership for a one-off fee of £300 with an annual subscription of £800.

It promises “the opportunity to stalk the historic Epping Forest - exclusive access to your own unaccompanied stalking over thousands of acres of prime land in London.”

However, when asked by the Epping Forest Guardian, club vice-chairman James Mott refused to identify the 15 areas used for hunting, saying simply that they are in the northern part of the forest and are mostly farmland.

He called the zones “basically private” and “essentially private”, but then added: “Most bits of land have footpaths going through them one way or another.”

“People have a right to the forest and to use footpaths and bridleways and we have an equal right to shoot,” he said.

Mr Mott also refused to say when the CoL contract to hunt the deer started, but he claimed Capreolus had been asked to “manage” the forest to help woodland regenerate and to reduce road traffic accidents caused by the animals.

He added: “Deer increase by one third per year with no natural predators, so there is an element of it as a sport, but the other thing is it needs to be done… they enjoy their job, if you want to put it like that.”

The City of London Corporation have been contacted for comment.