Deer or Squirrels?

[VSS]

Hares only go for bark as a last option when the ground is covered by snow, and they are unable to feed on grass. As the ground is quite soft at the moment any deer slot marks would show out, and I cannot see any in your photos. If a deer was there for some time doing that damage you would find deer poo. Squirrels !

A fair assessment.

 

[VSS]

Slot?

 

[Mungo]

I’m certain there are a mix of culprits here.

 

[Klenchblaize]

This thread is destined to compromise the 2026 Home Office training program ("Evidence Based Land Clearance" section) for the hundreds of fresh-faced Firearms Enquiry Officer recruits.

K

 

[Smelly Yeti]

Dawn outing, shoot any offending culprit(s), identify species at your leisure

 

[old 30-06]

VSS....................The last photo you have highlighted shows the tree guard in pieces behind the tree. I would not think a deer could do that to a plastic tree guard, but a squirrel could. I rest my case.

 

[kevtherev]

Hares and rabbits will do that as will sheep.
Set up a trail cam perhaps?

 

[kevtherev]

Slot?
View attachment 452997

Bears

 

[Ruby Tuesday 2]

VSS....................The last photo you have highlighted shows the tree guard in pieces behind the tree. I would not think a deer could do that to a plastic tree guard, but a squirrel could. I rest my case.

If it’s like any of mine those plastic rabbit guards get really brittle after a couple of years outside and fall apart as soon as you touch them.

 

[wytonpjs]

Spare trail cam going in tomorrow afternoon

Thanks for all contributions.

 

[Cyres]

We looking forward to seeing the pictures of the culprits.
D

 

[Taff]

Dogs, they like to bark. Other wise deer , rabbits or hares.

 

[wytonpjs]

Spare trail cam going in tomorrow afternoon

Thanks for all contributions.

So - a frustrating, quick afternoon visit to try to get a camera into a suitable position - there weren't any! Then, I couldn't tell if it was actually working as the Test function didn't

With only 45 minutes to last light +1, I quickly erected a hide opposite the brutalised trees, took a few more photos including what I do now believe are fallow slots (absolutely no sign of any poo which is a surprise):



Before heading off with 30 minutes to go to check the other permission - nothing! However, I have just received this..........



Whilst this maybe purely coincidental,. she is standing next to one of the stripped trees in the earlier pictures. Now, it should be said, that roe does are currently off limits at the owners explicit request and I've concurred as we appear to have a good balance across the landscape. However, in light of this, things maybe about to change

 

[wytonpjs]

So, overnight pictures - nothing caught in the act so to speak but it’s certainly a hotspot around those trees as can be seen from the variety of animals captured: roe doe, muntjac buck, badger and fox!

 

[Camdig]

So, overnight pictures - nothing caught in the act so to speak but it’s certainly a hotspot around those trees as can be seen from the variety of animals captured: roe doe, muntjac buck, badger and fox!

View attachment 453202View attachment 453203View attachment 453204View attachment 453205

Am going out on a limb and say its a Roe buck rubbing on the small trees and branches.
The bark patches are a different beastie of some description probably a squirrel.

 

[308rws]

Squirrels will normally leave bark chips on the ground at the base of the tree that they have been stripping. Whereas deer tend to consume all the bark because of their dentition and how they strip bark - bottom up and tearing the strip off at the top.

 

[paulst]

Looking at some of the pics it appears that the stripping has been started by teeth in an upward motion which would suggest deer or sheep, neither having upper incisors. Just a guess though.

 

[wytonpjs]

Thanks all - consensus is deer and there is a “resident” roe doe that’s most probably the prime culprit. We had agreed to leave her but it’s back with the landowner if she wants her removed