Why manage wild deer?

This is a question I get asked quite a lot. The hunting of deer or any other species for that matter can be a sensitive subject. As modern hunters we have a responsibility to educate people, to help people understand the reasons for wildlife management and how wildlife management is linked to an increase in biodiversity.

The management of wild deer by has become a necessity due to primary influencing factors created by the expanse and development of modern humans. These primary factors are; Significant loss of habitat, rapid expansion in agriculture, extinction of natural predators and the introduction of non-native deer species.

Deer species have an important role in ecosystem functions of varying habitats, including; woodland, heath, mire and wood pasture. Deer browsing and grazing is favored in natural environments, deer recycle nutrients via scat, create areas of light disturbance beneficial for many vertebrate and invertebrate species and provide a food source to natural predators such as Lynx and Wolf. Since the Neolithic period, the expansion of agriculture has led to the depletion and fragmentation of deer’s natural habitats. Britain once boasted approximately 75% woodland cover. Currently 13% remains with only a minute fraction of this classed as ancient woodland. Predators including lynx became extinct around 1800bp and wolves in 1680 from loss of habitat, over hunting and persecution by humans.

There are 6 species of wild deer in Britain. Red and Roe are the only native species. Fallow were introduced in the 1st century by the Romans for food and sport, Sika, Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer were introduced in the 19th century as a visual feature for parks but were later released or escaped. The current population of wild deer in Britain is estimated to be around 2 million. Deer populations have increased dramatically in the last century, agriculture provides a plentiful food source, fragmented woodlands provide shelter and deer predation from predators does not occur. Grazing and browsing from an over population of deer has had critically noticeable effects on woodland diversity, forestry crops and agricultural crops. Many natural and semi natural habitats have reached carrying capacity and cannot sustain the necessary food to support large numbers of grazing herbivores. Browsing of young tree seedlings, new coppice growth and new plantings bares a threat to sustainable woodland management and is a fundamental factor in the low diversity of ground vegetation and the decline in habitat for vertebrate and invertebrate species.

Road traffic accidents involving deer are at an all time high, 40,000 to 75,000 per year. With an increase in population may come an increase in the spread of pests such as ticks carrying Lyme’s disease and a future threat from foreign diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease.

The management of wild deer is critical in the in the preservation of the natural landscape and fundamental in the reproduction of healthy deer populations. Through correct management, timber crops and agricultural crops can be protected, road traffic accidents can be reduced and the biodiversity of our ever-shrinking natural landscapes will increase.

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