Thetford Deer

[Milly]

No rifle involved in this one but I have just spent a pleasant 4 days with the family, camping up in the Thetford forest. The last time I was up there was almost 20 years ago. I know that the deer number explosion was well reported in the national press for that area, but seeing is believing!! Last time I was there, you had to go looking pretty hard for the deer in the forestry blocks between Thetford and East Harling.. Twenty years ago I saw lots of Roe for every one muntjack. This time I saw Muntjac throughout the day all over the place. Even had one run the length of the camp site as I shoved me head out the tent with the dog at 05:20 yesterday morning. Not seen as many reds in the past either. This time saw two stags in velvet, feeding totally unconcerned, within 50 metres of the Dower House campsite. The time was 19:00 with numerous people on the other side of a narrow conifer belt. Watched a mega headed roe buck fraying a sapling by the old chuch yesterday evening. Big boy he was. As we left today at 12:00, watched a group of 10 red hinds in an arable field by the Shadwell estate.

The change in the understory of the forrest is very noticable in places as well. You can see a very clear browse line in many blocks and instead of the rich diversity of plants I remember along the rides, bracken seems to be the major plant now. Anyone living locally able to confirm what I have seen as being due to the increasing deer numbers, especially muntjac, or are factors having an effect as well?

Never shot in Norfolk but looks as if a NON family trip might be called for at some time.

Regards
Fred

 

[chill123]

Milly glad you saw so many deer . I am stalking there soon and agree the place is crawling with deer . How did you get on with the sheep ticks ? Whenever i visit the place is alive with them.

Chill

 

[Gunner]

Hi Fred,

I had a family holiday at CentreParcs Elveden Forest, Thetford last year. I went for a jog around the perimeter fence most mornings & saw a lot of Red, Roe & Muntjac.

The muntjac were seen in the camp throughout the day & were scavenging through the bins outside the chalets!

It seemed to me that some serious culling is called for but I guess CentreParcs wouldn't want to risk upsetting the holiday makers....!

Regards,

Jim

 

[dusk till dawn]

Hi I was born in Thetford and now live very close about 10 miles away, I walk my dogs every day in the woods and can confirm the amount of deer has increased, I had a friend down to do some stalking a few weeks ago. He went home with 3 muntjac we see approx 11 and a nice roe buck the 2 days he was here.
Its a shame the forestry dont have any syndicate let stalking here, they will never get any where near the amount of deer culled with the amount of stalkers they have ?

 

[Milly]

Walked every where with my Springer. Treated her with "Advocate" two days before going and she did not appear to pick up any ticks. Did not see any on the seven of us either. Big notice about avoiding ticks and lymes disease in the information hut on the site though and I have no doubt that with the deer numbers around, the ticks are there.

Fred

Milly glad you saw so many deer . I am stalking there soon and agree the place is crawling with deer . How did you get on with the sheep ticks ? Whenever i visit the place is alive with them.

Chill

 

[Milly]

Thanks for the confirmation about numbers. Noticed that the forest blocks that had been recently replanted had about a 1m high chicken wire fence around them. Guess that this is to keep rabbits and the munties out as not high enough for the reds and roe?

Never eaten muntjac but understand it tastes good. Must try to book a cull stalk up there if I can find a good place. Not interested in medal heads as antlers are a bit too chewy for my taste. Any reccomendations?

Fred

Hi I was born in Thetford and now live very close about 10 miles away, I walk my dogs every day in the woods and can confirm the amount of deer has increased, I had a friend down to do some stalking a few weeks ago. He went home with 3 muntjac we see approx 11 and a nice roe buck the 2 days he was here.
Its a shame the forestry dont have any syndicate let stalking here, they will never get any where near the amount of deer culled with the amount of stalkers they have ?

 

[webby954]

i remember being on army excercise in thetford and had a deer scare daylights out of me in middle of night

 

[Molan]

[FONT=&quot]God has made animals skin in this way so they can save and protect their selves better than humans.Some times weather problem occurs but only with those pets who are brought from the other climate.Otherwise a simple bath with summer soaps are enough for your pets specially deers. [/FONT]
puppy training

 

[dusk till dawn]

Thanks for the confirmation about numbers. Noticed that the forest blocks that had been recently replanted had about a 1m high chicken wire fence around them. Guess that this is to keep rabbits and the munties out as not high enough for the reds and roe?

Never eaten muntjac but understand it tastes good. Must try to book a cull stalk up there if I can find a good place. Not interested in medal heads as antlers are a bit too chewy for my taste. Any reccomendations?

Fred

you could try Mark at bunwellwood he has some good stalking.
Paul

 

[Knottaclu]

Queing home tonight up the A11 past Thetford, there were a couple of munties grazing within 25ft of the stationary traffic - and I don't think anyone else noticed.

 

[norma 308]

just got back from thetford ,well euston red calve tagging ! saw alot of deer ,justchecking for ticks now.