Devon Deer Management and South West Deer Group

The aim of Devon Deer Management is to ensure the delivery of a sustainable, well-managed wild deer population in Devon.  Devon Deer management is a group comprising of 4 professional stalkers all Devon Deer management professionals with an interest in wild deer.

There are 3 main species of Deer found in Devon, Red (Cervus elaphus), Roe (Capreolus capreolus) and Fallow (Dama dama).

Deer are an important part of England’s natural heritage and resources and play a major role in the economy, environment and history of England.

The aim of South West Deer Group and Devon Deer Management is to achieve a sustainable and balanced population of wild deer.

We will work to ensure that populations of wild deer are in a sustainable balance with the natural resources available to feed and shelter them throughout the year.

It is important that all Devon deer management practices are undertaken in a humane, responsible and publically sensitive way to achieve the successful management of wild deer in Devon.

Devon deer management will work to prevent deer populations growing to exceed a sustainable balance with the environment and natural resources by planning the delivery of an active Devon deer management solution.

A knowledgeable capability in Devon deer management is vital to ensure the success of any Deer management plan as well as field craft skills honed through years of stalking and a love of the wild places that deer inhabit.

Why the need for Devon deer management?

Too many deer can lead to excessive damage to trees, woodland flora and wildlife habitats as well as damage to farm crops and gardens.  In areas of high deer density there are more road traffic accidents.  The biggest factor in the necessity for Devon deer management is the prevention of poor health of the deer themselves if their numbers are greater than the habitat can support.

In order to keep deer numbers in balance with their surroundings it is necessary to manage them using professionals that will form a Devon deer management plan tailored to your property.

Good Devon deer management should aim to maintain healthy deer populations in balance with their environment. Wherever possible the prevention of problems is better than trying to remedy a situation where deer numbers or impacts are out of control. Planning for the arrival and management of deer in new woodlands is important. The current rate of expansion suggests that deer will eventually spread into all areas of lowland England with suitable habitat. Without proper management the problems of too many deer will also spread. Devon already has a thriving population of deer, in some cases they have already overpopulated their habitat and are causing significant damage to trees and agriculture.

Co-operation between landowners is important to achieve effective management. Deer pay no heed to ownership boundaries and can range over wide areas, especially red and fallow deer.

Deer Problems? – Devon Deer Management

Management of Devon deer problems requires a specific approach including the design and management of habitat, especially woodlands. Often overlooked is the physical protection of vulnerable areas as well as individual trees in new plantings.  A researched and well-written Devon deer management plan to include the humane culling of deer to reduce and then maintain their numbers to an acceptable level. It will be necessary to estimate a population census to arrive at the cull number of deer on any property, and the ability of the stalkers of Devon deer management, to ensure the Devon Deer management plan is achieved.

Sometimes protective measures such as fencing may be enough to prevent problems in the short term for gardens or smaller areas, but usually a combination of approaches will be necessary, relying on only one part of our Devon deer management plan is generally not a long term solution.

A Devon Deer Management Plan (DMP) will be drawn up for a 5-year period. Even then it is a working document and must be updated annually by Devon Deer management as more time spent in the field gives us more updated information, as well as to reflect the success or failure of management operations and changes in the objectives or new circumstances as they arise

A pre-requisite to setting a Devon deer management plan in place is for the landowner to establish the current condition and desired objectives. For this to be effective they must have, or obtain, sufficient deer management advice and knowledge of deer numbers, distribution and impact to be able to develop a deer management plan matched to the aspirations and aims of the landowner.  This is where we at Devon deer management can help.  As well as implementation of a Devon deer management plan, we have extensive knowledge in assessing land and woodlands, taking into account the total estate, getting a deer census as well as identifying problem areas to provide a complete deer management solution.

Call Or Contact Us For Devon Deer Management Solutions