Deer Management

Stags

At the last helicopter count (autumn 2014) there were 1624 stags, 3164 hinds and 1363 calves on the ground, or 6151 red deer in total. The average population density is 9.61 deer per sq km, although individual property densities vary from 6- 19 per sq km. An unknown number of deer will use the forested ground around the edges of the group, especially Forestry Commission ground.

There are only very small numbers of roe deer within the area, and Sika deer are present at a local level only. The deer group provides a forum for management of these species as well.

One interesting feature about the area is the numbers of wild boar that are now present across a number of properties, and this now genuinely wild population is seemingly growing rapidly. Liaison over this takes place at deer group meetings.