Why Cull Deer?


 

Deer in Britain have no natural predators. The six species of wild deer have steadily increased in population. Fallow deer in the Sussex & Kent have now reached epidemic proportions having a major impact on trees, plants and crops. Often the only vegetation left in woodlands is the few plants that deer don't eat. Killing new tree growth.
 This has an impact on insect, bird and small mammal habitat. The deer strip bark, thrash small trees and can eat all re-growth of coppiced woodland often killing the stumps.

 

The number of deer vehicle collisions has reached record levels.

 

Damage to fencing and crops is a regular occurrence.

 

An adult deer eats around 5 kg of greens each day. This equates to a very small herd of only twelve deer consuming 60 kg a day or around 22 tons of grazing per year! This could be valuable crops, grass for grazing farm animals and even garden plants.



 

Each female will have one fawn every year,  population is increasing at around thirty percent each year. 
Deer are ruminants and their lifespan is governed by their ability to eat. Their teeth wear down and they die as a result of starvation or accident. Fallow deer in the South East weigh two thirds of their ideal weight due to the overpopulation.



 

Deer management can help with all these issues by removing selected injured animals.