SIR — Had Professor Patrick Bateson been a specialist in exercise physiology and not an animal behaviourist, there would have been no reason for the Master of the Quantock Staghounds to apologise to the National Trust for trespass (Free Press September 29) - there would have been no scientific grounds for a ban.

Such was the tone of Professor Bateson's report to the Trust that they had no alternative than to ban deer hunting over "their" properties on the "scientific" evidence.

In answer to their critics they stated that they would reconsider their decision in the light of new science.

The Joint University Study demonstrated that the Bateson science was in total seriously flawed and biased against deerhunting.

Professor Bateson should admit to the Trust that his science was wrong. He has done so in his submission to the Burns inquiry.

Whatever one's opinions may be, the deerhunters have been convicted on false evidence.This has resulted in a lot of bitterness and resentment; it is the deer that will be the biggest sufferers.

D.J.B.Denny,

205 Henwick Road,

Worcester.