PPC119 | TECHNICAL

In PPC117, regular contributor and rural pest expert Dave Archer wrote about non-native species of deer in the United Kingdom, and why and how they’re a problem.

Continuing with this theme, this PPC119 article examines the world of our native deer, their ecological status, and the need to manage their numbers to benefit both them and ourselves, in the absence of natural predators.

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"Lowland red deer in England can often outweigh their leaner cousins in Scotland due to the greater availability of food in the south."

Red deer

The red deer is, without doubt, a truly magnificent spectacle to observe in the wild. Ranging from the Scottish Isles to the lowland English moor and woodland, it is the largest land mammal remaining in the British Isles. 

Red deer are herding deer, and populations can reach huge numbers if left unmanaged. Indeed, some Scottish Islands and the Highlands, as well as the lowland areas of England, are subject to intensive damage by overpopulation of deer. 

Since October 2023, as numbers are so prolific, the males of all deer species in Scotland, including red deer, may now be culled all year round, instead of having a close season. As herding deer, reds use well-worn tracks to enter feeding grounds, which may be fields of valuable arable crops such as maise or wheat. 

Fences and posts are often broken and pushed over by deer. It is not uncommon for severe injury or even death to occur to deer when this happens, especially with high-tensile or 
barbed wire. 

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that, in the main, this species of deer usually is crepuscular or nocturnal in lowland habitats. 

Stags will also form large wallows in any area that affords some degree of water containment. Interestingly, lowland red deer in England can often outweigh their leaner cousins in Scotland due to the greater availability of food in the south. It is not uncommon for stags to weigh up to 180 kilos, necessitating the use of heavy mechanical lifting equipment to extricate the fallen deer. 

Roe deer

This is the only species of truly native deer that is not a herding species. The Roe Deer are our most widespread native deer. Does form winter groups, but these disperse in spring before the fawns are born.

Interestingly, this is the only species of deer to exhibit delayed implantation, whereby the embryonic stage is suspended. Often called “the fairy of the woods,” roe deer have an amazing capacity to blend into the scenery and seemingly just appear, even when you are looking hard for them. 

Bucks can cause damage to saplings and specimen or ornamental trees by fraying bark with their antlers to mark territory. They can inhibit growth on vegetables and certain fruits by nipping the tops out of the new shoots. Still, by and large, this species of deer is not as prolific nor as environmentally damaging as the other species mentioned. However, as mentioned earlier, the deer cannot self-regulate, and a competent deer manager will know the resident deer within a territory and manage the population accordingly. 

Roe are described as looking like they’ve been eating ice cream, with white chins.

Fallow deer

I include the Fallow Deer (Dama dama) here, as it has been so long established (since Roman times) that it is widely regarded as a naturalised, but not native, species. Fallow Deer are perhaps the most elegant parkland deer, with their white and chestnut mottled coats and huge spread (palmate) antlers in adult bucks.

Fallow (as well as red deer) also roar in the autumnal rut, giving a true sense of season to all who hear this deep bellow. For the unwary, both these and red deer in parkland may appear somewhat tame, encouraging members of the public to inadvertently try to befriend a stag or buck, to get that self-important photograph, misunderstanding that by entering the deer’s territory too close, this may lead to sudden violent reaction from the deer towards the onlooker, which views the encounter as a challenge or threat. No person can outrun a rutting stag or buck, so beware!

A red deer gralloched and presented clean and fresh after a morning stalk, ready to enter the food chain.

Deer control and management

All deer are subject to legal restrictions regarding types of firearms, bullet weights, and close seasons. Depending on the location, the legalities may vary from one country to another. Just because you are conversant with the legislation in England, it does not mean the same applies in Scotland or Ireland. Ignorance of the law is no excuse! 

Deer can be susceptible to infections such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Bovine Tuberculosis, and are prone to pneumonia. However, it must be stressed that most wild deer in the UK are healthy specimens, as most infections develop rapidly and deer succumb to their effects quickly. 

Being able to observe or manage deer means that you may discover specific ailments, which unmanaged herds may carry unchecked. Additionally, once trained and qualified, you will be a valuable asset in identifying and notifying relevant regulatory bodies, where applicable, regarding deer diseases. 

Should you find a fawn or kid of any species of deer, DO NOT try to pick the deer up! Although the deer’s defence is to keep still, once human scent is on the youngster, its parent will abandon it by instinct! Many a young deer is taken to a rescue centre, mistakenly being considered abandoned by its mother; it is rarely the case. Deer are very attentive in their nursing duties unless (yes, here we go again), man has erroneously intervened.

A rifle rest or high-seat, is an absolute requirement to ensure shot placement is as accurate as possible. The use of a rifle rest ensures the rifle remains steady; at distances of up to 200 yards, the element of steadiness is crucial. A high seat allows you the opportunity to sit in the seat for long periods and shoot from a front rail or bar. Controlling your breathing is also paramount to a successful shot. 

A solid background is also essential as bullets can carry literally for miles and still be lethal. This is where the high seat can be advantageous as the shot is travelling downwards. 

For ALL species of deer, once shot, you must have suitable means of extricating the deer from the site in a hygienic manner. Vehicular or tractor/quad bike access is usually needed for the larger species of deer, and means of hygienic storage are essential to meet stringent meat hygiene requirements. 

I make no apology for reiterating my mantra here: Once you pull any firearm trigger, the bullet is NEVER coming back, so make ABSOLUTELY sure of your background and safety before you shoot!

"A rifle rest or high-seat, is an absolute requirement to ensure shot placement is as accurate as possible."

A roe buck. A well-trained gun dog is an invaluable asset to deer stalking, especially when working in thick woodland.

Getting started in deer management

Firstly, please don’t think deer management is above you, or that the opportunities to work in this field won’t ever come your way. If you provide any form of rural pest control, you are well-positioned to explore this work. In the first instance, try your utmost to observe deer in the wild. A reasonable pair of binoculars is a must, and wherever you are, you will not be far from one or other species of deer. 

Observe their habits and times of day for feeding, etc. Dawn or dusk are ideal times to observe deer moving to and from their feeding grounds. Look for slots or hoof marks, hair on fences, runs, etc. For me, it is better viewing than any TV programme. And it’s not only deer you will see; all manner of wildlife is there and to learn from. I have found that Mother Nature has always been the best teacher one could ever want! 

Nevertheless, you must keep still, quiet and stay downwind of deer if you can. Deer are excellent at spotting movement, and drab country colours are a must. However, the one exception is bright orange, as deer are colour blind to this spectrum of colour… but you will be visible to pretty much everything else!

Read as much as you can from reliable sources; organisations such as The British Deer Society or The British Association for Shooting and Conservation are great starting points. Industry-recognised Deer Stalking Qualifications at various levels are available to demonstrate professional competence. These qualifications include quarry identification, habits, legal aspects, safety, firearm handling and placement of shot, as well as on-site training and competence tests. 

There are separate sections on large-game handling and meat hygiene. Once you have passed the necessary examinations, you are potentially able to provide venison to game dealer establishments, etc. Additionally, you will understand the various diseases of deer and be able to identify any health issues upon performing the gralloch. 

Your certificate has a unique hunter identification, which will be traceable back to you, should you present the carcass to any game dealer. If you are a recreational stalker, then certain shooting organisations provide free insurance for Recreational Shooting, but if your work is on a professional basis, whereby you are paid for the work carried out, or you are paid for your venison sales, I strongly advise a business liability insurance to cover your shooting needs.

If you are fortunate enough to know a stalker personally, then ask if you can be given guidance or accompany them on stalking trips. Should you wish to obtain a rifle, the legalities in the United Kingdom are among some of the most stringent of any country. You will need to be of proven good character, have “good reason” to obtain a rifle, a secure approved firearms cabinet to store it, a “mentor” to guide you, and two referees to state you are of good character. 

Previous offences or criminal convictions will be taken into consideration when reviewing your application and may have a detrimental effect, or even prevent your application from being considered further. 

A landowner will also need to provide written confirmation that you are allowed to shoot deer upon their land. But should these articles spur you on toward pursuing the world of deer stalking, I have found that if you provide rural pest control services, inevitably, you will be asked at some stage or other about wild deer management.

Certain police forces request the need for qualified deer managers to be called upon where deer have collided with motor vehicles and are still alive but not able to be treated, or are injured, but evade capture (broken legs, etc).
If you are, as I have been, heavily involved with deer management, you will undoubtedly need the services of a well-trained dog, who will always have better scenting skills than any person. They possess up to three hundred million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in us. And the part of a dog's brain that is devoted to analysing smells is about forty times greater than ours (don’t ponder that point for too long!).

I have known many people who have entered this field and are now competent deer stalkers, providing valuable deer management services.That is a wonderful feature of our industry. It is such a huge umbrella. You may have a real passion for bed bugs. You may be ecstatic about brown rat control on farms. You may be employed in rabbit control, or be fully employed in mole catching! 

Whatever you do, you owe it to any of your quarry to carry out your work in the very best and humane manner you can, and learn about all facets of what is out there for you. Remember, it is we humans who are the biggest pest of all… and we are only just starting to realise it!

Source: PPC119