Cheap Deer?

A recent report (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/22/wildlife.conservation) suggests that up to 50,000 deer of a variety of indigenous and introduced species per year may be illegally taken in the UK by poachers with dogs, cross-bows, 4x4s (used to side-swipe the animals), small bore rifles etc. This may lead to injured animals suffering lingering and protracted deaths. The primary motivation, in addition to the 'sport', appears to be the easily sold (around the backs of pubs?) venison (comparatively low in cholesterol). There is little doubt that deer in many parts of the country need to be controlled as otherwise their burgeoning populations can cause severe damage to the woodland environments they tend to frequent. They also cause a small number of deaths in collisions with motorists on nearby roads. I would not, however, like to see the poacher play the role of the controlling predator. They are neither very efficient nor selective. Perhaps wolves would be a better bet (although they have one or two obvious disadvantages).