Forestry England culls more than 2,000 New Forest deer, Verderers’ Court meeting hears

MORE than 2,000 deer were culled in the New Forest last autumn and winter in a bid to bring the booming population under control, Forestry England has revealed.

The data was revealed in response to comments made by Charlotte Lines, chairman of the Commoners’ Defence Association, during a recent Verderers’ Court meeting.

Ms Lines said it appeared that despite efforts to keep numbers down, the population had increased in some parts of the Forest.

But FE said its early results from the organisation’s annual New Forest survey seemed to show levels have in fact been reduced since 2022.

Ms Lines told the court: “‘More often than not, when I’m talking to fellow commoners, the conversation turns to the vast number of deer, mainly fallow, on the Crown Lands, estates, and surrounding National Trust land.

“We know that there was a boom in the deer population during Covid given there was no active management, but it’s been two years now since Covid restrictions were lifted and in some areas of the Forest the number of deer seems to have increased further.”

Stating that “concerted efforts” had been taken to control populations in areas such as Broomy, Roe, and Parkhill, Ms Lines claimed other areas of the Forest were still over-populated, with some fallow deer appearing to be in poor health.

Responding to the presentment, a Forestry England spokesperson said the organisation was part of the national deer management initiative, and last year its local team culled 2,035 deer.

“We understand that culling deer causes some concerns, but population control by culling is an essential part of our woodland management, as deer and their populations are expanding everywhere across England,” they said.

Where populations are unmanaged, herds can increase by between 15-30% per year; and if too few deer are culled, the population can quickly reach the landscape’s maximum capacity. Areas then become overgrazed, which reduces plant life below the forest canopy and affects the food source for insects and birds.

Drone surveys and thermal imaging sensors are used to establish deer populations, revealing areas that are most densely populated.

FE says it also works with neighbouring landowners to “develop landscape-scale solutions” where deer move across ownership boundaries.

“The final count of deer numbers is currently being processed for this year, and we expect to have the annual census completed by the end of May,” continued the spokesperson.

“Figures submitted so far show that the number of deer will be lower than it was in 2022.”

This is “not just a local issue”, says FE, explaining that over the last few decades all six deer species have increased dramatically in range and number.

“Deer populations are now higher and more concentrated across England than they have ever been.

“Last year, we jointly with Defra carried out a national consultation on the key proposals and actions in the new deer management strategy, with the aim of ensuring a well-managed and healthy wild deer population in England.

“England is part of the national Deer Initiative, a partnership dedicated to high standards of sustainable management of wild deer.”