Natural England - Deer

Deer

Advice and legislation relating to the management and control of deer.

Fallow deer buck

Legal status

From 1 October 2007, under the Deer Act 1991 (as amended), all wild deer with the exception of Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) are protected by a close season. The Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007 amends the original Act and will improve deer welfare in a number of ways. Further amendments include changing the close seasons for female deer to a common start date of 1 April, changing the minimum rifle calibres permitted for muntjac and Chinese water deer and introducing new licensing provisions.

To find out more about the different deer species found in the UK visit The Deer Initiative or Mammal Society.

Advice & leaflets - resolving problems involving deer

There are a series of Natural England advisory leaflets on deer and their management. There are also a number of answers to frequently asked questions [398 kB] pdf document regarding deer issues which you may find useful. A series of advice sheets and best-practice guides are available on the The Deer Initiative website.

If you require additional guidance Contact us. We will either assist you directly or put you in touch with your local Wildlife Management Adviser for technical advice.

Deer management groups

The best long-term solution to reduce the damage caused by deer is to achieve an adequate cull each year and so reduce the local deer population. This is best achieved through a wider, co-ordinated cull undertaken by a local Deer Management Group (DMG) rather than on an ad-hoc basis by individuals. Further details on DMGs can be found in the Deer Initiative's Advice Note Number 1 'Deer Management Groups - Advice and support in England' [1.6 MB] pdf document. However, the legislation makes provisions for actions that can be taken in exceptional circumstances where problems cannot readily be resolved through normal deer management.  

Shooting deer in the close season

Section 7 of the Deer Act 1991 however provides a so-called "farmers defence" whereby authorised persons may, in certain circumstances shoot deer if they are causing damage in the close season (see the Act for details of the types of situations covered). The Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007 amends the Deer Act to allow individuals to apply for licences for shooting deer during the close season to prevent the deterioration of natural heritage or to preserve public health and safety. To apply for a licence see below.

Shooting deer at night

Under Section 3 of the Deer Act 1991 it is an offence to kill or take deer at night. The Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007 amends the Deer Act to allow individuals to apply for licences for shooting deer at night where it is not possible to effectively control deer by other means. To apply for a licence see below.

Road traffic accidents

There are an estimated 30,000 - 50,000 vehicle collisions involving deer annually in the UK. These result in 10-20 human fatalities. The National Deer-Vehicle Collisions Project is collecting records of road traffic accidents involving deer.

How to apply for a licence

If you wish to apply for a licence you will need to complete a form, see Applications for licences to take or relocate deer for scientific or education purposes or to shoot deer at night/during the closed season.

The forms can be downloaded, then they can either be posted to the address on the form or completed electronically and submitted by e-mail. In urgent cases, applications may be accepted by facsimile. If you are unable to download a form they can be obtained directly from the Wildlife Management and Licensing Service. There is no charge for this licence or for advice.

Following receipt of your completed application, a Wildlife Management Adviser may contact you to discuss the case or arrange a visit to the site where the problem is occurring. The adviser will assess the situation and provide guidance on the remedial options available where applicable.

We aim to process damage, health & safety and conserving the natural heritage related licence applications in 30 working days from date of receipt and science, education and relocation cases in 15 working days.

Deer consultation & action plan

An action plan The sustainable management of wild deer populations in England [359 kB] pdf document was published following the Defra and Forestry Commission public consultation in 2004.

Between 29 August and 24 October 2006 Defra held a public consultation on proposed changes to the Deer Act (1991) to improve deer management and welfare. The proposals from the consultation formed the basis of the Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007 which amends the Deer Act (1991) from 1st October 2007. This increases the range of tools available to deer managers and will enhance deer welfare.  The Order amends the Deer Act as follows:

  1. Allow the use of 0.22 centre fire rifles for shooting smaller species of deer (namely muntjac & Chinese water deer);
  2. Allow any reasonable means of humanely dispatching deer that are suffering due to illness or disease;
  3. Allow dependent deer to be taken or killed if they have been, or are about to be, deprived of their mother, at any time of the year;
  4. Enable licensed killing or taking of deer during the close season to prevent deterioration of the natural heritage or to preserve public health and safety;
  5. Enable licensed killing or taking of deer at night to prevent deterioration of the natural heritage, to preserve public health and safety or to prevent serious damage to property.
  6. Shorten the close season for all female deer to allow better control of population numbers by moving the commencement date to 1st April.
  7. Introduce close seasons for Chinese water deer from 1st April to 31st October inclusive and for red/sika hybrids the same as the parent species. To maintain protection for female Chinese water deer the close season will also apply to males as it is difficult to distinguish between the two sexes.
  8. Amend the meaning of mechanically propelled vehicle in the Deer Act to permit discharging of firearms or projecting missiles from a mechanically propelled vehicle that is stationary and the engine is not running.

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