The 12-year-old stag was resting at Baronsdown, near Dulverton, Somerset, after the four-week rutting season when it was killed on 29 October.

Paul Tillsley, who runs the 225-acre sanctuary, found the stag's corpse while out on his rounds.

"The stag would have been exhausted as they don't eat or sleep at this time. It's such a shocking waste," he said.

This is certainly not something that the hunters would get involved in Tom Yandle, chairman of Devon and Somerset Staghounds

Baronsdown, in West Somerset, is a sanctuary but the surrounding area is used by several hunts.

Tom Yandle, chairman of Devon and Somerset Staghounds, said: "This is certainly not something that the hunters would get involved in. It would be by no means in their interest."

Mr Tillsley said he suspected trophy hunters had targeted the huge stag and had wanted to add it to a private collection.

He added the stag was the alpha male in the sanctuary's herd and did not know what the consequences of its death would be on the other animals.

Wildlife liaison officers from Avon and Somerset Police visited the site on Monday.

A police spokesman said the force was investigating the complaint.