Deer sightings on the increase

[Philthy]

It seems deer are being spotted with ever greater frequency in certain parts of the country.
Around here they are wreaking havoc with roses, pot plants, veg plots etc. It's such a problem some people have abandoned growing of certain plants known to be favoured by deer, as it's too disheartening to see their efforts repeatedly "strimmed."
10 years ago I remember it was still unusual to catch a glimpse of a deer in a wooded area; now I've seen them trotting along a residential road in the middle of the day!
I should add that I do live in an area with woods nearby, but even still the animals have never been as bold as they are now regarding human encounters. Probably the most remarkable incident I've had that illustrates their advance into human habitations was when a male deer ran across a dual carriage way right in front of me, having crossed a railway line from one side, and then disappeared in an industrial estate car park on the other. This occurred on the fringe of Croydon (which is most definitely not Dartmoor)!
So, could this be down to increasing deer numbers, dwindling habitats through creeping urbanisation, dwindling natural food, or some other reason..?

I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences and theories

[Guest]

I haven't seen that many this year. I can normally watch them walk the boundary fence, but I have just seen the odd one or two in the back field. However, they are planning to release lynx into Thetford forest partially justified by the deer population so it is by no means struggling.

[Jay22]

I wouldn't say the deer are advancing into human habitations, quite the opposite. Humans are building homes and roads etc., on areas which were once wildlife spaces.

[Nicos]

Lynx?

That should be interesting!

[Guest]

Yep , The lynx effect - wild cats could be released into Thetford Forest - Environment - Eastern Daily Press

I do fear they will just end up as road kill if they do

[Nicos]

Interesting link NG.

[ESBkevin]

The natural predators for Dear disappeared centuries ago here in the UK, other than man and that was limited to the king and his licensed aids/Lords. In addition many new species of dear were imported since Victorian times (monkjac etc.).
Because they are not 'farmed' as they once were and hunting is all but forbidden the wild dear populations have grown too great for the suitable land available. On the moors and Scottish hills the Gamekeepers will regularly cull the herd. In the woods of Surrey they are just a pest no one 'owns' or is responsible for so they multiply and spread just like nature does. Taking high powered rifles into the woods of Surrey is a big no no, a miss can result in the projectile travelling up to two miles at fatal speeds!

[Tiny Allotment]

The natural predators for Dear disappeared centuries ago here in the UK, other than man and that was limited to the king and his licensed aids/Lords. In addition many new species of dear were imported since Victorian times (monkjac etc.).
Because they are not 'farmed' as they once were and hunting is all but forbidden the wild dear populations have grown too great for the suitable land available. On the moors and Scottish hills the Gamekeepers will regularly cull the herd. In the woods of Surrey they are just a pest no one 'owns' or is responsible for so they multiply and spread just like nature does. Taking high powered rifles into the woods of Surrey is a big no no, a miss can result in the projectile travelling up to two miles at fatal speeds!

Maybe an argument for reintroducing bow hunting to the UK.

paul

[bearded bloke]

I think this thread has run it's course, hunting debates are not really best suited to gardening forums