Managing deer in the Cotswolds

CotsAONB/02.10/4000 • Printed on Revive Uncoated, comprising 80% recycled material
7
Cover photo & photo 3 © Forestry Commission Picture Library/John MacTavish
Photos 1, 4, 7, 8 & 10 © Jochen Langbein
Photo 2 © Forestry Commission Picture Library
Photo 5 © Forestry Commission Picture Library/George Gate
Photos 6, 9 & 11 © Cotswolds Conservation Board
Tel: 01451 862000
Fax: 01451 862001
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Cotswolds Conservation Board
Fosse Way, Northleach
Gloucestershire GL54 3JH
Design/production: Publicity Project – www.publicityproject.co.uk
5
Bark stripping – the
bark is shaved off by
the lower teeth and
excessive stripping
can kill the tree. Look
for the broad parallel
teeth marks running
more or less vertically.
11
6
Fraying – can cause
significant damage,
particularly to young trees
and is caused by male deer
rubbing their antlers against
tree stems and foliage as a
form of sexual aggression or
territory marking.
Browsing – buds and shoots of new growth are
nibbled off. Young trees and coppice regrowth are
particularly
prone to
browsing but
woodland
plants such
as primrose,
cowslip, violets
and bluebells
are also eaten.
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Cotswolds AONB Management Plan 2008 - 2013
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/management_plan
5
Cotswolds Ancient Woodland Project
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/?page=ancientwoodlandproject
Cotswolds Conservation Board
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Defra’s strategy for the Sustainable Management of
Wild Deer in England www.defra.gov.uk
Deer Vehicle Collisions
www.deercollisions.co.uk
The Deer Initiative Best Practice Guides
www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/html/bestpractice.htm
The Deer Initiative
www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk
Damage to woodland
Managing
deer in the
Cotswolds
Further information
Managing deer in the Cotswolds
Deer are part of the Cotswold countryside and the chance to see these large mammals is
part of the pleasure of living in, working in or visiting the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB). Deer numbers in the Cotswolds have increased over the years and
continue to increase. Too many deer can lead to habitat damage, especially in woodlands,
crop damage, increased collisions with road traffic and disease.
Deer have been managed in the Cotswolds for many years.
This leaflet explains why deer need to be managed and how
a properly managed population of deer is in balance with its
environment, is healthy and can be a source of local income
through stalking and sales of venison.
Deer species and numbers
There are currently four species of wild deer in the Cotswolds:
fallow, muntjac, roe and sika. Only roe deer are native to the
UK. However fallow deer have been present in the region
for many centuries and are seen as a traditional part of the
Cotswold landscape.
Fallow are already present in high densities throughout the
AONB, muntjac and roe are present at low to medium densities
in many parts of the AONB but are increasing in numbers and
expanding their ranges, whilst sika are present only in small
numbers in a restricted area around Wychwood.
The extension in geographic range of deer and the increase in
deer densities have been encouraged by changes in land use,
particularly the move to year-round crops, set-aside, expansion of
forestry and increased natural/semi-natural habitat connectivity.
These changes have increased the amount of suitable habitat for
both deer foraging and shelter. In addition, warmer winters mean
that there is a more plentiful supply of food all year round, with
fewer and shorter periods of harsh conditions, resulting in higher
rates of breeding success and survival. There are no natural
predators of deer in the UK.
Fallow deer
There is currently no reason why the trend in increasing
deer numbers and range expansion will not continue.
A sustainable population of wild deer
A sustainable population of wild deer is one which is in
balance with the environment and with minimal negative
effects on the economic or social needs of those who live,
work in or visit the countryside.
■ Densities of fallow deer are already too high in parts
of the Cotswolds and are having a negative impact
on habitats. These populations must be reduced if a
sustainable balance is to be achieved.
■ Muntjac deer are also causing negative impacts and
should be managed to minimize further escalation of
the numbers and spread of this non-native invasive
species.
■ Roe deer, whilst currently not causing unacceptable
damage, will need to be monitored and more
intensively managed if negative impacts increase.
Muntjac deer
1
Roe deer
2
2
SIKA deer
3
3
4
4
5
7
Bark stripping – the
bark is shaved off by
the lower teeth and
excessive stripping
can kill the tree. Look
for the broad parallel
teeth marks running
more or less vertically.
Cover photo & photo 3 © Forestry Commission Picture Library/John MacTavish
Photos 1, 4, 7, 8 & 10 © Jochen Langbein
Photo 2 © Forestry Commission Picture Library
Photo 5 © Forestry Commission Picture Library/George Gate
Photos 6, 9 & 11 © Cotswolds Conservation Board
Tel: 01451 862000
Fax: 01451 862001
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Cotswolds Conservation Board
Fosse Way, Northleach
Gloucestershire GL54 3JH
11
6
Fraying – can cause
significant damage,
particularly to young trees
and is caused by male deer
rubbing their antlers against
tree stems and foliage as a
form of sexual aggression or
territory marking.
Browsing – buds and shoots of new growth are
nibbled off. Young trees and coppice regrowth are
particularly
prone to
browsing but
woodland
plants such
as primrose,
cowslip, violets
and bluebells
are also eaten.
Design/production: Publicity Project – www.publicityproject.co.uk
CotsAONB/02.10/4000 • Printed on Revive Uncoated, comprising 80% recycled material
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Cotswolds AONB Management Plan 2008 - 2013
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/management_plan
5
Damage to woodland
Cotswolds Ancient Woodland Project
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/?page=ancientwoodlandproject
Cotswolds Conservation Board
www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk
Defra’s strategy for the Sustainable Management of
Wild Deer in England www.defra.gov.uk
Deer Vehicle Collisions
www.deercollisions.co.uk
The Deer Initiative Best Practice Guides
www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/html/bestpractice.htm
The Deer Initiative
www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk
Further information
Managing
deer in the
Cotswolds
Managing deer in the Cotswolds
Deer are part of the Cotswold countryside and the chance to see these large mammals is
part of the pleasure of living in, working in or visiting the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB). Deer numbers in the Cotswolds have increased over the years and
continue to increase. Too many deer can lead to habitat damage, especially in woodlands,
crop damage, increased collisions with road traffic and disease.
Deer have been managed in the Cotswolds for many years.
This leaflet explains why deer need to be managed and how
a properly managed population of deer is in balance with its
environment, is healthy and can be a source of local income
through stalking and sales of venison.
Deer species and numbers
There are currently four species of wild deer in the Cotswolds:
fallow, muntjac, roe and sika. Only roe deer are native to the
UK. However fallow deer have been present in the region
for many centuries and are seen as a traditional part of the
Cotswold landscape.
Fallow are already present in high densities throughout the
Fallow deer
AONB, muntjac and roe are present at low to medium densities
in many parts of the AONB but are increasing in numbers and
expanding their ranges, whilst sika are present only in small
numbers in a restricted area around Wychwood.
The extension in geographic range of deer and the increase in
deer densities have been encouraged by changes in land use,
particularly the move to year-round crops, set-aside, expansion of
forestry and increased natural/semi-natural habitat connectivity.
These changes have increased the amount of suitable habitat for
both deer foraging and shelter. In addition, warmer winters mean
that there is a more plentiful supply of food all year round, with
fewer and shorter periods of harsh conditions, resulting in higher
rates of breeding success and survival. There are no natural
predators of deer in the UK.
Muntjac deer
1
2
A sustainable population of wild deer
A sustainable population of wild deer is one which is in
balance with the environment and with minimal negative
effects on the economic or social needs of those who live,
work in or visit the countryside.
■ Densities of fallow deer are already too high in parts
of the Cotswolds and are having a negative impact
on habitats. These populations must be reduced if a
sustainable balance is to be achieved.
■ Muntjac deer are also causing negative impacts and
should be managed to minimize further escalation of
the numbers and spread of this non-native invasive
species.
■ Roe deer, whilst currently not causing unacceptable
damage, will need to be monitored and more
intensively managed if negative impacts increase.
Roe deer
2
3
There is currently no reason why the trend in increasing
deer numbers and range expansion will not continue.
SIKA deer
3
4
4
Managing deer in the Cotswolds
Issues and impacts
Habitats and land use
Many Cotswolds woodlands (a significant number of which
are small ancient woodlands particularly vulnerable to
damage from deer) are suffering from the adverse impacts
caused by high densities of deer. These impacts include bark
stripping, browsing and fraying. This reduces the natural
regeneration of trees and shrubs, reduces the survival of
coppice stools, and may prevent other plants from flowering
and seeding so reducing the floristic diversity of woodlands.
There is also evidence of impacts on populations of butterflies
and birds. In addition, damage affects the quality and value of
timber and coppice growth.
8
Deer can impact
on agricultural
and horticultural
crops, especially
when adjacent
to woodland,
through browsing
and trampling.
They may also
visit and damage
gardens in villages
and even in more
urban areas.
Deer vehicle collisions
Rising numbers of deer, combined with the growth in road
traffic volume and speed, means that there are an increasing
number of road traffic accidents involving deer.
It is estimated that there may be as many as 74,000 deerrelated road traffic accidents each year across Great Britain.
Benefits from deer management
The prime purpose of managing deer is to maintain a healthy
population of deer in balance with their environment. But
there are wider benefits relating to the rural economy and
tourism and these have potential for development in the
Cotswolds:
■ A viable local venison industry. Currently, the majority
of deer carcasses resulting from deer culling in the
Cotswolds are sold direct to game processors outside the
AONB. Prices received fluctuate depending upon regional
and national demands. Recent changes to Meat Hygiene
Regulations have relaxed some of the constraints on
producing small amounts of wild game meat, including
venison, for local sale direct to the final consumer and this
could open up a number of opportunities for establishing
local venison production, possibly exploiting the
Cotswolds brand.
■ Increasing the opportunities for tourism. The public love
to see deer and this could be exploited in the Cotswolds,
as elsewhere, through the provision of opportunities to
watch deer, for example on guided walks.
Sources of advice and support
for deer management
Advice on deer management, including to
local Deer Management Groups, is provided
through the Deer Initiative (DI).
The DI is a broad partnership of statutory, voluntary and
private organisations dedicated to “the achievement and
maintenance of a sustainable and healthy population of
wild deer in England and Wales”. The partners abide by the
principles of The Deer Accord and encourage others to share
9
High deer numbers are known to attract poachers who
often use inhumane methods to kill deer.
Deer management
9
Animal health
When deer numbers exceed the ability of the habitat to supply
adequate food their body condition declines leading to increased
risk of disease. Active management of deer helps maintain a
healthy deer population by keeping numbers in balance with
their food supply.
Deer related diseases
Deer suffer from or may be implicated in zoonoses such as Lyme
disease and animal diseases such as Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB),
Foot and Mouth, and Bluetongue.
In the Cotswolds bTB is of particular concern. A recently
completed project to identify the level of bTB in deer populations
in the South West indicates that high densities of deer can be
associated with higher levels of bTB in deer, although the risk of
spread to domestic livestock is low. Two such populations are
known to be within the central Cotswolds.
7
6
properly and hygienically. Persons selling direct to the public
must be registered with the local authority and Approved
Game Handlers (who can also export venison) must have their
carcasses inspected by Veterinary Inspectors.
Poaching
For the deer,
in addition to
those killed at
the time, at
least 10% of deer
hit by vehicles
are likely to die
some time later
of their injuries
away from the
collision site.
Mapping of deervehicle collisions
shows a number
of ‘hotspots’
within the
Cotswolds AONB.
The management of deer is the responsibility of the
landowner. It should be a continuous, long term process
and not done only in response to a particular problem. It
is much more effective when landowners work together
as part of a Deer Management Group. There are two
established Deer Management Groups in the Cotswolds,
one based around Wychwood and another in the central
part of the AONB which is one of the most active in the
country. However, these groups do not provide deer
management cover across the whole AONB area and there
is a need for other groups to be established.
Alongside other measures deer management involves
population control through culling. Deer culling should
only be undertaken by stalkers (preferably experienced
and qualified) who are working to clear objectives and Best
Practice Guidelines. Deer density is estimated through
sightings and dung counts. The desired deer population
can then be worked out based on the habitats present, the
results of impact monitoring and known breeding rates,
leading to a decision on the numbers of males and females
that need to be culled.
Through a cull, stalkers are also able to remove poorer
weaker and older members of the herd, resulting in a
stronger, healthier deer population. Deer are culled in
accordance with legal requirements and accepted codes of
practice ensuring animals are culled humanely.
Most culled deer enter the food market as venison. There
is legislation aimed at ensuring that carcasses are handled
8
their commitment and priorities as an integral part of their
management of deer. The principles of the accord are:
■ A sustainable and balanced population of wild deer
■ A humane, responsible
and sensitive approach
to the management of
wild deer
10
Recorded deer
vehicle collisions
2000-2007
■ An experienced
and knowledgeable
capability in deer
management
■ An informed public
understanding of deer
management
■ A partnership
approach to
reducing the adverse
environmental and
economic impacts of
wild deer
To enable landowners to
implement sustainable,
landscape scale deer
management, the DI
provides a range of advice
and support for deer
population and impact
monitoring, Best Practice
standards, awareness
raising and venison
marketing.
The DI has produced a
comprehensive set of Best
Practice Guides available
on their website.
10
11
Managing deer in the Cotswolds
Issues and impacts
Habitats and land use
Many Cotswolds woodlands (a significant number of which
are small ancient woodlands particularly vulnerable to
damage from deer) are suffering from the adverse impacts
caused by high densities of deer. These impacts include bark
stripping, browsing and fraying. This reduces the natural
regeneration of trees and shrubs, reduces the survival of
coppice stools, and may prevent other plants from flowering
and seeding so reducing the floristic diversity of woodlands.
There is also evidence of impacts on populations of butterflies
and birds. In addition, damage affects the quality and value of
timber and coppice growth.
8
Deer can impact
on agricultural
and horticultural
crops, especially
when adjacent
to woodland,
through browsing
and trampling.
They may also
visit and damage
gardens in villages
and even in more
urban areas.
Deer vehicle collisions
Rising numbers of deer, combined with the growth in road
traffic volume and speed, means that there are an increasing
number of road traffic accidents involving deer.
It is estimated that there may be as many as 74,000 deerrelated road traffic accidents each year across Great Britain.
Benefits from deer management
The prime purpose of managing deer is to maintain a healthy
population of deer in balance with their environment. But
there are wider benefits relating to the rural economy and
tourism and these have potential for development in the
Cotswolds:
■ A viable local venison industry. Currently, the majority
of deer carcasses resulting from deer culling in the
Cotswolds are sold direct to game processors outside the
AONB. Prices received fluctuate depending upon regional
and national demands. Recent changes to Meat Hygiene
Regulations have relaxed some of the constraints on
producing small amounts of wild game meat, including
venison, for local sale direct to the final consumer and this
could open up a number of opportunities for establishing
local venison production, possibly exploiting the
Cotswolds brand.
■ Increasing the opportunities for tourism. The public love
to see deer and this could be exploited in the Cotswolds,
as elsewhere, through the provision of opportunities to
watch deer, for example on guided walks.
Sources of advice and support
for deer management
Advice on deer management, including to
local Deer Management Groups, is provided
through the Deer Initiative (DI).
The DI is a broad partnership of statutory, voluntary and
private organisations dedicated to “the achievement and
maintenance of a sustainable and healthy population of
wild deer in England and Wales”. The partners abide by the
principles of The Deer Accord and encourage others to share
9
High deer numbers are known to attract poachers who
often use inhumane methods to kill deer.
Deer management
9
Animal health
When deer numbers exceed the ability of the habitat to supply
adequate food their body condition declines leading to increased
risk of disease. Active management of deer helps maintain a
healthy deer population by keeping numbers in balance with
their food supply.
Deer related diseases
Deer suffer from or may be implicated in zoonoses such as Lyme
disease and animal diseases such as Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB),
Foot and Mouth, and Bluetongue.
In the Cotswolds bTB is of particular concern. A recently
completed project to identify the level of bTB in deer populations
in the South West indicates that high densities of deer can be
associated with higher levels of bTB in deer, although the risk of
spread to domestic livestock is low. Two such populations are
known to be within the central Cotswolds.
7
6
properly and hygienically. Persons selling direct to the public
must be registered with the local authority and Approved
Game Handlers (who can also export venison) must have their
carcasses inspected by Veterinary Inspectors.
Poaching
For the deer,
in addition to
those killed at
the time, at
least 10% of deer
hit by vehicles
are likely to die
some time later
of their injuries
away from the
collision site.
Mapping of deervehicle collisions
shows a number
of ‘hotspots’
within the
Cotswolds AONB.
The management of deer is the responsibility of the
landowner. It should be a continuous, long term process
and not done only in response to a particular problem. It
is much more effective when landowners work together
as part of a Deer Management Group. There are two
established Deer Management Groups in the Cotswolds,
one based around Wychwood and another in the central
part of the AONB which is one of the most active in the
country. However, these groups do not provide deer
management cover across the whole AONB area and there
is a need for other groups to be established.
Alongside other measures deer management involves
population control through culling. Deer culling should
only be undertaken by stalkers (preferably experienced
and qualified) who are working to clear objectives and Best
Practice Guidelines. Deer density is estimated through
sightings and dung counts. The desired deer population
can then be worked out based on the habitats present, the
results of impact monitoring and known breeding rates,
leading to a decision on the numbers of males and females
that need to be culled.
Through a cull, stalkers are also able to remove poorer
weaker and older members of the herd, resulting in a
stronger, healthier deer population. Deer are culled in
accordance with legal requirements and accepted codes of
practice ensuring animals are culled humanely.
Most culled deer enter the food market as venison. There
is legislation aimed at ensuring that carcasses are handled
8
their commitment and priorities as an integral part of their
management of deer. The principles of the accord are:
■ A sustainable and balanced population of wild deer
■ A humane, responsible
and sensitive approach
to the management of
wild deer
10
Recorded deer
vehicle collisions
2000-2007
■ An experienced
and knowledgeable
capability in deer
management
■ An informed public
understanding of deer
management
■ A partnership
approach to
reducing the adverse
environmental and
economic impacts of
wild deer
To enable landowners to
implement sustainable,
landscape scale deer
management, the DI
provides a range of advice
and support for deer
population and impact
monitoring, Best Practice
standards, awareness
raising and venison
marketing.
The DI has produced a
comprehensive set of Best
Practice Guides available
on their website.
10
11