THE man behind a campaign to stop gunmen from killing deer in Epping Forest has asked how a London corporation can advocate “killing for fun”.

The City of London Corporation (CoL) gave the Capreolus Club exclusive rights to hunt Fallow and Muntjac deer in Epping Forest.

READ MORE: ANGER AS CAPREOLUS CLUB GRANTED RIGHTS TO SHOOT DEER

But a petition against the decision, launched by father Paul Morris on Friday, has now been signed by over 3,500 people.

The 45-year-old said: “You spend half your life listening to stories about gun crime on the London news and how we need to teach our kids about the dangers.

“Epping Forest isn’t detached from central London, it’s not really the countryside. It feels like all the work people in places like Newham are doing is being ruined.

“To make matters worse, the club is advertising the deer’s bodies as trophies. They are allowed to take the heads away.”

Gunmen will be allowed to buy £2.75 per kilo of the animal from the CoL.

People who have responded to the petition say killing for sport is “disgusting” and have blasted the decision as “scandalous” and “appalling”.

Mr Morris added: “I didn’t want to start a petition for petition’s sake, I just wanted to show there’s enough anger.

“But the CoL didn’t get back to me so it’s time to put pressure on. I’m not surprised at how many people have signed it.

“The deer are the symbol of Epping Forest, so people don’t want to see them being shot. Don’t get me wrong – I’m a meat eater but there’s a difference between killing for fun and killing for food.”

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.

The club also goes around the world shooting brown bears in Europe and buffalos in Africa.

One women allegedly saw a stag being disembowelled next to the bridle path and people who work in the horse stables say snipers have wondered in to ask where the deer are.

Others have been shouted at for “making too much noise” and distracting the animals.

Mr Morris, a builder, added: “We aren’t talking about pot guns, these are high velocity sniper guns which are lethal at a mile. I’m no weapons expert but I know these are the real deal.

“Muntjac deer aren’t much bigger than a normal dog so what if they get mistaken? Or what if an inexperienced sniper injures the deer and hurts it, but doesn’t kill it?”

To sign the petition, click here.