Deer Management
The UK's deer population is believed to be at its highest level for 1,000 years, with some two million deer in our countryside and semi-urban areas. Numbers may have doubled since 1999, according to the Deer Initiative (which promotes the sustainable management of wild deer) and other sources. As farmers and conservationists become ever-more concerned at deer’s impact on crops and wildlife, scientists now argue that increasing culling levels is essential.
What is the problem with deer?
£4.5m: The cost of damage caused by deer to plantations and other commercial woodlands, according to the Forestry Commission of Scotland.
8,000 hectares: The woodland area with Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status is currently in ‘unfavourable’ or ‘recovering’ condition due to deer impacts. According to the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST), this will likely represent a fraction of the accurate picture.
74,000: The number of road traffic accidents a year involving deer, which killed between 10-20 people, according to the RSPCA
£4.3m a year: The cost of deer damage to crops, according to Defra, with the greatest damage on cereal crops.
50%: The decline in woodland bird numbers where deer are present, according to the University of East Anglia’s Dr Paul Dolman: “Deer will eat the understorey and so the coppices, for example, lose their shrub layer.
Why are there so many deer in the UK?
Lack of predators - No natural predators
Good habitat - Forest cover has increased, and crops are grown all year round
Fallow Deer
The population of fallow deer is increasing and out of control across many areas of the south and east of England. Fallow deer often come out at night, so many landowners may never see how many deer there are or believe they are unaffected by fallow. A survey by thermal imagery at night is necessary to assess correctly.
Damage caused by browsing of tree shoots and agricultural crops puts fallow deer in conflict with farmers and foresters, and their ability to reach very high densities can result in increased local levels of damage.
Roe Deer
Roe deer are particularly associated with the edges of woodlands and forests. They are also found in areas with copses, scrub and hedgerows and use agricultural fields in these areas too. They are increasingly entering areas closer to our towns and cities as they take advantage of more urban habitats.
They cause damage to young woodlands and crops through browsing,
Red Deer
Red deer migrated to Britain from Europe 11,000 years ago, making them one of two of the country’s truly indigenous species. Since their arrival, populations have risen and fallen with the loss and creation of suitable habitat. One of the UK’s most adaptable mammals, red deer are currently expanding in both range and numbers – while preferring woodland and forest habitats in England and southern Scotland, their opportunism has led to their inhabitation of open moor and hills too.
Sika Deer
This medium-sized species arrived on Brownsea Island in Dorset in 1860. Escapees quickly spread through Britain, forming strongholds in much of Scotland. Like fallow deer, their coats vary from pale to dark, and they often have white rumps.
Sika deer will eat grasses and dwarf shrubs, sometimes eating bark and young tree roots
Muntjac Deer
The muntjac deer was introduced into the UK from China in the 20th century. It has gained a stronghold in southeast England.
Muntjac deer are notorious browsers, eating the shoots from shrubs, woodland herbs and brambles. This clearing of woodland understory has been linked to declines in many species of birds.
Unlike other species of deer, muntjac does not have a set rutting period and can mate throughout the year. The gestation period is around 210 days, usually giving birth to a single fawn. Female muntjacs can become pregnant again just days after giving birth.
Chinese Water Deer
Chinese water deer were first kept at London Zoo in 1873 but escaped from Whipsnade Zoo in 1929. Numbers increased through introductions into deer parks and subsequent escapes and releases, and the British population is now thought to account for 10% of the world’s total.
They are selective feeders taking small morsels from nutritious plants but may take a woody browse, grasses, and sedges if food is limited.
Does give birth from May to July after a six to seven-month gestation. They can produce up to six fawns, but one to three is more usual.
