Is the Deer Act out of Date? (for England)

The deer population is not increasing because of inadequate legislation. It might be because of people shooting too many foxes though.
Would it be fair to say that deer numbers have increased in the last 62 years since the Deer Act came in?
My running tally from Jan is 95 deer 27 foxes so what is your ratio of deer-fox this year to see if the areas differ?
 
Female season should be extended and males shot all year.

Night shooting made legal and also the Government should pay a bounty on each deers head , numbers shot will increase drastically.
I agree but then watch the carcasses become even more worthless than they already are
 
Would it be fair to say that deer numbers have increased in the last 62 years since the Deer Act came in?
Yes.
My running tally from Jan is 95 deer 27 foxes so what is your ratio of deer-fox this year to see if the areas differ?
What would that tell you about deer populations or the effects of predation?

I should think the ratio's about two to one so far, although we'll probably have shot all the year's foxes and relatively few of the deer by now.
Over a thirty year period, initially we had no absolutely no deer at all and fox control was largely left to three of the five local hunts and the chap with a private pack over the valley. The hunts rarely killed much. Subsequently, had the foxes hammered , about the same time the deer population increased. Now the foxes are controlled fairly hard and there are quite a few roe, about half of which get shot each year.
 
Deer and Firearms Act are both in need of a serious overhaul.

The DeFRA deer strategy consultation took place back in 2022....... and disappeared into the ether.....

Shouldn't take 3 years to publish it's results...... maybe @Conor O'Gorman maybe has an idea on what is going on with that?

The 2023 Environmental Improvement Plan didn't AFAIK, mention deer specifically either.

So nowt from DeFRA in potential changes (that are needed) under the previous or current governments.... as not priorities...... so unlikely to see any changes soon.
I think that strategy was about to be signed off but the general election was announced and no plans to progress it currently as far as I know.
 
Yes.

What would that tell you about deer populations or the effects of predation?

I should think the ratio's about two to one so far, although we'll probably have shot all the year's foxes and relatively few of the deer by now.
Over a thirty year period, initially we had no absolutely no deer at all and fox control was largely left to three of the five local hunts and the chap with a private pack over the valley. The hunts rarely killed much. Subsequently, had the foxes hammered , about the same time the deer population increased. Now the foxes are controlled fairly hard and there are quite a few roe, about half of which get shot each year.
Well my larger % is muntjac so with a new born they are very tiny, having such a healthy large population of muntjac any predation from what I see would be from Badgers.
2 examples of recent trips.
5 muntjac seen 1 shot
4 badgers seen
1 fox seen

3 red hinds seen
4 muntjac over the boundary
1 fox (shot)

If you have your figures to hand that would be interesting.
 
Too many happy to swing the lead in the matter of deer management. (No doubt you've spotted what I did there!)

Equally guilty of failing to address the glaringly obvious in the matter of deer numbers are those at the top of Agricultural Policy making. Make it attractive to cull deer and with a means of disposal of all parts of the animal, and I'm convinced Lowland UK cull figures would double in 12-months.

Does anyone recall the days when the grey squirrel tale bounty could be redeemed at your nearest Post Office?

Just a thought!

K
 
Too many happy to swing the lead in the matter of deer management. (No doubt you've spotted what I did there!)

Equally guilty of failing to address the glaringly obvious in the matter of deer numbers are those at the top of Agricultural Policy making. Make it attractive to cull deer and with a means of disposal of all parts of the animal, and I'm convinced Lowland UK cull figures would double in 12-months.

Does anyone recall the days when the grey squirrel tale bounty could be redeemed at your nearest Post Office?

Just a thought!

K
Yes and no (not that old ish)
Tim
 
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