Meet the Deer
We’ve listed the 6 species that are to be found in the UK. However, in our region, namely Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouth and the Cotswolds not all the species are present.
We have an abundance of deer in the locations we operate in and these are predominately Muntjac, Roe and Fallow deer.
Muntjac – Very high populations of these non native deer. they are present in all of these areas and increasing in number and spread.
Roe – The native deer that is ever present in all the locations, populations are higher in certain areas more than others. increasing in number and spreading.
Fallow – A herding deer, they have distinct pockets of populations , large numbers in Herefordshire, Monmouth and certain locations in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. Fallow if not managed can do immense damage to woodland and the general countryside and not a farmers friend. Herds can grow into large numbers if left unchecked.
We occasionally see and hear of small Red deer and Sika deer in the region we operate in but these are not well established. We don’t know of any established Chinese Water Deer in our areas of operation.
Fallow Deer
Fallow deer prefer diverse woodland habitats such as large areas of woodland which are near to arable or pasture land.
The most significant impact is caused by grazing and browsing. In woodland grazing/browsing may adversely affect woodland regeneration, damage commercial tree plantings, and affect the structure and composition of the understory.
At high densities or in conditions of stress, fallow will bark strip (particularly soft barked trees such as
Ash).
Muntjac Deer
Normally seen as single animals or in family groups.
Prefer dense permanent cover in woodland or scrub, especially areas with a diverse ground flora. Very adaptable and are found increasingly in urban and
suburban areas.
The most significant impact is caused by browsing. The tendency of muntjac to eat the most succulent parts of plants brings them into conflict with managers of forest and especially of semi-ancient and coppiced woodland, as well as growers of susceptible crops, and gardeners
Red Deer
Red are herding deer. Herd sizes vary according to sex, habitat type/quality, deer density, degree of disturbance, time of year and weather.
Red will lay up in cereal crops, which can open the crops out to wind-blow, they can cause extensive bark stripping especially on hardwoods and soft barked conifers such as Douglas Fir, Larch and Scots pine, usually in winter.
Stags may cause serious damage by fraying and thrashing trees and shrubs.
Roe Deer
Normally seen as single animals or in family groups.
Prefer permanent cover, especially diverse woodland habitats such as larger areas of woodland or farmland with copses. Very adaptable, also being found on open moorland/heathland and increasingly in urban and suburban areas.
Often prefer areas where the ground flora is most varied, bramble is a staple of their diet where available.
The most significant impact is caused by browsing. The tendency of roe to eat the most succulent parts of plants brings them into conflict with forest and woodland managers, growers of susceptible crops and gardeners.
Sika Deer
Very large herds are possibly the result of high deer densities, continual disturbance, animals gathering on a food source or prolonged hard weather.
Prefer woodland or thicket and graze on nearby open areas such as farmland or heath/moorland.
Often graze on open areas, especially grassland, but will spend long periods browsing in woodlands.
