Vergo hero background shape 1 Vergo hero background shape 2

Wildlife Management - Deer Control

Our Highly qualified professional deer stalkers operate throughout the UK.

The Deer Control Specialists

Landmark are the deer management experts with over 30 years’ experience in providing deer management services across the UK, for both residential and commercial customers.

If you’d like to discuss a problem with deer on your land, contact us today. Our deer specialist team can advise on all methods of deer management and provide all estates or landowners with accurate population studies and deer counts, from which a professional plan can be agreed.

Landmark provide deer proof fencing install services for both domestic and commercial purposes. Deer fencing helps to keep deer off of your land, protecting trees and plants, and prevent deer from getting into gardens, farmland, newly planted woodland etc.

If you are looking for ways to keep deer off your land, and want to know more about deer fencing, enquire now.

Landmark's deer control services

We provide expert advice, deer surveys and work with customers to develop deer management plans.

  • Deer Surveys: We offer deer surveys using state of the art thermal imaging devices providing deer data (this is far more accurate than standard day surveys).
  • Deer Shooting: This is carried out by our lead deer stalker who is qualified in advanced deer management, and is also an assessor for the DSC1 & DSC2. Deer shooting takes place at dusk or dawn, however upon customer request we can apply for a special licence to remove deer at night.
  • Deer Proof Fencing: Landmark install heavy duty and long lasting deer proof fencing to prevent deer accessing your land.

Reasons to control deer

The UK's deer population is believed to be approximately two million strong. With deer population being at its highest level for 1,000 years.

The UK’s deer population is believed to be approximately two million strong. With deer population being at its highest level for 1,000 years.

Deer have no natural predators, therefore professional deer controllers play a crucial role in managing deer populations to prevent environmental damage and overpopulation. Without proper deer management, deer can cause extensive damage to woodland areas, affecting the health and growth of trees and other vegetation. This can have far-reaching consequences for the wider ecosystem and wildlife habitats.

Deer control

By working with landowners and land managers, Landmark can develop deer management plans that consider local conditions, the number of deer in the area, and the impact of deer on the environment. This helps to ensure that deer populations are managed correctly and in balance with their environment.

Problems deer can cause

Why control deer? When deer populations are too high, it can have negative impacts on the environment and other wildlife species. Some of the potential consequences of overpopulation include:

  • Overgrazing: When deer populations are too high, they can overgraze on vegetation, leading to a decline in plant species diversity and soil erosion. This can impact the food sources and habitats of other wildlife species, and lead to a decline in their populations.
  • Crop damage: Deer can cause significant damage to agricultural crops, which can result in financial losses for farmers and food shortages for humans and wildlife.
  • Forest damage: Deer can damage young trees and the understory vegetation in forests, which can impact the diversity of plant species and reduce habitat for wildlife.
  • Disease transmission: When deer populations are too high, it can increase the likelihood of disease transmission between individuals, which can impact the health of the entire population.
  • Vehicle collisions: It is estimated that there are 74,000 deer related traffic accidents in the UK each year, which can result in damage to vehicles and injury or death to humans and deer.

Therefore, it is important to manage deer populations to ensure that they are at a healthy and sustainable level. This can be achieved through ethical and sustainable methods, such as regulated culling programs, which can help to prevent overpopulation and minimize the negative impacts on the environment and other wildlife species.

Can deer transmit diseases?

Deer can transmit diseases to other animals and humans. While deer themselves are not often affected by these diseases, they can carry and spread them through their saliva, urine, and faeces. These include:

  • Lyme disease: This is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans through tick bites. Ticks that feed on infected deer can carry and transmit the bacteria to humans.
  • Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): This is a prion disease that affects deer. The disease can spread through direct contact with infected animals or through contact with contaminated soil, food, or water.
  • Ehrlichiosis: This is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans through tick bites. Ticks that feed on infected deer can carry and transmit the bacteria to humans.
  • Anaplasmosis: This is a bacterial infection that is also transmitted to humans through tick bites. Ticks that feed on infected deer can carry and transmit the bacteria to humans.
  • Tularaemia: This is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their carcasses. Deer can be carriers of the bacteria that causes tularaemia.
  • Tuberculosis. Deer are very susceptible to this disease and can pass it onto cattle with devastating effects on a landowners herd.

So, it is important to take precautions if handling or coming into contact with deer, such as wearing gloves and washing hands thoroughly after handling deer or being in areas where deer are known to inhabit. Managing deer populations through ethical and sustainable methods can help to prevent the spread of these diseases and minimize the risk of transmission to other animals and humans.

Are deer protected by law?

Wild deer in the UK are covered by comprehensive legal protection, with various pieces of legislation in place to protect them and ensure their welfare. At Landmark we ensure we comply with all deer legislation and all of our colleagues are members of The British Deer Society. Some relevant laws concerning deer in England and Wales include:

  1. The Deer Act 1991: This act provides legal protection for wild deer in England and Wales. It sets out the close season during which it is illegal to kill, take, or disturb deer without a valid license. The act also established a regulatory framework for deer management and deer stalking.
  2. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: This act is designed to protect all wildlife species in the UK, including wild deer. It makes it illegal to intentionally kill, injure, or take deer, or to damage or destroy their breeding or resting places. The act also prohibits the sale of deer meat without a license.
  3. The Forestry Act 1967: This act covers the protection of trees and woodlands in the UK. It includes provisions to prevent damage to woodl and caused by deer, and sets out the legal requirements for deer management in forests and woodlands.

Overall, these laws play an important role in ensuring that wild deer are protected from harm, and that deer management practices are conducted in a safe and sustainable manner.

Why choose Landmark?

  • Landmark are the wildlife experts – We are passionate about service and specialists in deer control and all elements of rural pest control.
  • Cognitive know-how – Landmark provide dedicated wildlife management support; with over 30 years industry experience we have the knowledge, experience, and capacity to resolve wildlife problems for customers on a national basis.
  • Comply with legislation – Landmark fully comply with legislation.
  • Innovation & technology – At Landmark we use state of the art equipment specific to rural pest control requirements. Applying in field innovation combined with traditional pest control methods.
  • Fully trained professional team – Our highly trained professional deer stalkers are Deer Stalking Certificate level 2 qualified and are members of The British Deer Society, all holding certificates for humane dispatch and shooting certificates cards for MOD land.

Types of deer in the UK

There are six main species of wild deer in the UK:

Red deer

Red deer are Britain’s largest land mammal, red deer are known for their reddish-brown coats, although the colour can vary depending on the season and location. They are typically larger than sika deer, with adult males, known as stags, weighing between 160-240 kg (350-530 lbs) and standing around 1.2-1.5 meters (4-5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female red deer, known as hinds, are smaller, typically weighing between 120-170 kg (265-375 lbs) and standing around 1-1.2 meters (3-4 feet) tall.

Red deer control

Roe deer

Roe deer are Britain’s most common deer. Roe deer are smaller than both red deer and sika deer, with adult males, known as bucks, weighing between 15-30 kg (33-66 lbs) and standing around 0.7-0.75 meters (2-2.5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female roe deer, known as does, are slightly smaller, typically weighing between 10-20 kg (22-44 lbs) and standing around 0.6-0.7 meters (2-2.3 feet) tall.

Roe Deer Control

Sika deer

Silka deer are medium-sized deer, typically weighing between 40-70 kg (88-154 lbs) and standing around 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) tall at the shoulder. Sika deer have distinctive spotted coats that vary in colour from reddish-brown to dark brown, and they are known for their distinctive whistling alarm call.

Sika deer control

Fallow deer

Fallow deer are medium-sized deer, with adult males, known as bucks, weighing between 50-100 kg (110-220 lbs) and standing around 0.9-1.2 meters (3-4 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female fallow deer, known as does, are smaller, typically weighing between 30-50 kg (66-110 lbs) and standing around 0.75-1 meter (2.5-3.3 feet) tall.

Fallow deer are known for their distinctive coats, which can vary in colour from reddish-brown to black or white and are typically covered in white spots. They also have broad, flattened antlers, which are shed and regrown each year.

Fallow deer control

Muntjac deer

Muntjac deer are among the smallest species of deer, with adult males, known as bucks, weighing between 10-18 kg (22-40 lbs) and standing around 0.5-0.6 meters (1.6-2 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female muntjac deer, known as does, are slightly smaller, typically weighing between 9-16 kg (20-35 lbs) and standing around 0.45-0.5 meters (1.5-1.6 feet) tall.

Muntjac deer control

Muntjac deer have short, stocky legs and a hunched appearance, and they are known for their sharp, pointed antlers, which are only present on males. They are generally solitary animals and are active primarily at night, although they can sometimes be seen during the day in areas with little human activity.

Chinese water deer

Chinese water deer are smaller than most other deer species, with adult males, known as bucks, weighing between 11-18 kg (24-40 lbs) and standing around 0.5-0.6 meters (1.6-2 feet) tall at the shoulder. Female Chinese water deer, known as does, are slightly smaller, typically weighing between 9-14 kg (20-31 lbs) and standing around 0.45-0.5 meters (1.5-1.6 feet) tall.

Deer control

FAQ’s

  • How can I get rid of deer from my land?

    Contact us Landmark we are the wildlife control and rural pest control experts; we can work with landowners to develop deer management plans to resolve problems with deer.
  • What is the most popular species of deer in Britain?

    Roe deer are Britain's most common deer.
  • Are deer dangerous?

    According to The British Deer Society, deer are generally docile and avoid close contact with humans. However, during the rutting season, they can become very aggressive and may attack both people and dogs.
  • What is deer rutting?

    Deer rutting is the season when deer mate, this generally takes place in October to early December. During this time deer behaviour shifts as competing males, filled of testosterone, will display a series of behaviours showing off to the hinds (female red deer) and establishing dominance over other stags.
WILDLIFE CONTROL EXPERTS
Call us today
0344 216 3055

Safe and cost-effective wildlife management solutions

BPCA LogoPest Awards 2023 - WINNER!BPCA Logo