The area where i live is pretty void of deer also, that is just north of sheffield. Ok, that is maybe going a little too far to say there is not one single deer around, but pretty much so
I can count on one hand the amount of deer i have seen around my area in over 30 years.
I often wonder why we haven`t got any, as we have got some good woodlands and plantations. Years ago, there used to be quite a good strong herd of reds that used to come down from the thick woodlands in winter to feed in the fields at the side of the road and i very nearly knocked a good stag down about 20 years ago now, but where they have gone who knows?
There is one thing certain that because of the warm winters and lack of snow, any deer still there have no reason to come down looking for food where the cattle and sheep feed.
Just up the motorway from me at the A1- M1 link you will find roe feeding on the side of the road, and then east into Lincs, south of Sheffield into Worksop and also Derbyshire, but right on my doorstep, no.
If anyone knows differently in my area, it would be interesting to hear.
PS, you are right Malcom, Scotland is beautiful to stalk in
, just a pity it`s so far away.
wadas