Four Roe Does

We have been managing this area for a client for a couple of years now. It is a small area (<50 acres) of commercial conifer woodland. There has recently been an area planted up with young Hemlock, however the main crop is Sitka Spruce, which has suffered from aphid attacks over the last few years. The deer (both Red and Roe) are very transitory in this area. Deer management becomes a challenge in these areas as resident population and thus cull plan is impossible to work out, particularly as neighbouring land owners have differing views to how the deer should be managed. The approach we take in places such as these is to maintain a frequent visit plan to maintain stalking pressure and thus prevent any populations holding in the immediate area. Selection of cull animals is very much based on looking at the condition of the animal, as one would with livestock, and only taking the poor quality individuals. Trail cameras in these areas are invaluable in understanding the activity levels.