Deer Control at Great Priory & Bovingdon Farms
We are lucky enough to have lots of wildlife on our farm, and among the the animals we see here are several species of deer.
Deer are wonderful to see in the countryside, but in recent years their populations have risen to unsustainable levels, and over browsing of woodland and hedgerow habitats as well as crops is now having a detrimental effect on other species. Deer control is implemented on land owned by the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust, and it's also important that deer are controlled on farmland and woodland on farms like ours.
"Deer numbers can become too large for their habitat to support them. Grazing by large populations of deer reduces plants and animal diversity in the woodland, which can in turn affect soils and release carbon. Deer can also damage or kill young trees by damaging bark and lower branches, preventing forests from regenerating.
Research by the British Trust for Ornithology has found that common species including robin, wren and blackbird are less likely to be in woodland areas browsed by deer. Some of our most vulnerable breeds, such as nightingale nightjar and woodcock, are also negatively affected by deer grazing and browsing.
Without predators, deer are more likely to suffer from starvation and sickness." Forestry Commission Managing deer in the nation’s forests | Forestry England
Here at Great Priory and Bovingdon, we manage our deer population respectfully to maintain a healthy balance on the land we manage. We have a comprehensive management plan to guide deer stalking on the farm, and we work with neighbouring farms to take a collaborative approach to ensure our deer population is healthy and sustainable for the future.
Deer are wonderful to see in the countryside, but in recent years their populations have risen to unsustainable levels, and over browsing of woodland and hedgerow habitats as well as crops is now having a detrimental effect on other species. Deer control is implemented on land owned by the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust, and it's also important that deer are controlled on farmland and woodland on farms like ours.
"Deer numbers can become too large for their habitat to support them. Grazing by large populations of deer reduces plants and animal diversity in the woodland, which can in turn affect soils and release carbon. Deer can also damage or kill young trees by damaging bark and lower branches, preventing forests from regenerating.
Research by the British Trust for Ornithology has found that common species including robin, wren and blackbird are less likely to be in woodland areas browsed by deer. Some of our most vulnerable breeds, such as nightingale nightjar and woodcock, are also negatively affected by deer grazing and browsing.
Without predators, deer are more likely to suffer from starvation and sickness." Forestry Commission Managing deer in the nation’s forests | Forestry England
Here at Great Priory and Bovingdon, we manage our deer population respectfully to maintain a healthy balance on the land we manage. We have a comprehensive management plan to guide deer stalking on the farm, and we work with neighbouring farms to take a collaborative approach to ensure our deer population is healthy and sustainable for the future.