Majestic and graceful, England’s deer are a key part of the country’s wildlife. These creatures roam the forests and fields, adding charm to the natural landscape. With several species spread across the country, each deer has its own unique traits. Deer play a vital role in ecosystems, but as urban areas expand, they venture into people’s gardens. The way to help deer is to restore woodlands and natural habitats ((England has torn down nearly all its forests in the last 100 years). Doing so will help deer to flourish in the woodlands, away from humans.
Vets say to avoid ‘deer antlers’ as dog chews, as they can choke or cause painful teeth injuries. One vet says supervise pets with safe chews and avoid feeding antlers, rawhide or ‘anything you would not want to be whacked on the knee with yourself’.
Types of Deer Found in England
Red deer are the largest species. These giants of the forest have reddish-brown coats, often darkening during winter. Found in wooded areas, moorlands, and mountains, Red Deer are social animals, typically forming large herds. During autumn, their iconic mating calls echo across the landscape, marking the start of the rutting season.
Fallow Deer are known for their beautiful coats, which can be spotted, chocolate, or even white. Unlike other deer, Fallow Deer have a more varied colouring, making each one unique. They thrive in woodlands and grasslands, often seen in large groups. Their elegant antlers, broad and palm-like, make them easy to identify. Watch for them in parks and estates where they often graze.
Roe Deer are small and nimble, displaying great agility. With a coat that changes from reddish-brown in summer to greyish-brown in winter, these deer blend seamlessly into their surroundings. They are most commonly seen across the south and east of England. Known for their solitary tendencies, Roe Deer are more likely to be spotted during dawn or dusk when they wander out to feed.
Muntjac Deer, also called “barking deer,” are the smallest of England’s deer species. They are named for the distinctive bark-like sound they make, which serves as an alarm signal. These deer have become increasingly common across the country, often seen in gardens and parklands. With their compact size and a pair of tiny antlers, Muntjacs are well-suited to the forest edge habitats they prefer.
Silka Deer are medium-sized, are look a bit like fallow deer, but they have dark-coloured stripes on their back, and shorter tails, plus white glands on the hind legs and a white rump.
Chinese Water Deer are non-native. These small deer have brown coats that turn grey in winter, with short tails. They have tusks (instead of antlers) and have round ears, making them look a bit like teddy bears!
Where to Spot Deer in England
Deer are very shy so never go near them, just watch from afar (if you’re lucky enough to spot them!) England’s national parks are prime locations for deer watching. The New Forest is renowned for its abundant deer population, including Red and Fallow Deer. Exmoor, with its open moorland, provides a beautiful backdrop for spotting these creatures. Other notable places include Richmond Park in London, where deer roam freely among the ancient trees.
Walking trails offer fantastic opportunities for deer encounters. Try the Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, where Roe and Fallow Deer are regular visitors. Cannock Chase in Staffordshire is another hotspot, especially during the rutting season when Red Deer are most active. Ensure you maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing these animals.
Deer have become surprisingly adaptable, with many species spreading into urban areas. In places like Epping Forest near London, Muntjac Deer are a common sight, darting in and out of residential gardens. Even in the bustling city of Manchester, deer have been spotted exploring city parks. These urban explorers prove that nature can thrive alongside city life.
Understanding Deer Behaviour
Deer are foragers, feeding on a variety of plants, leaves, and grass. In summer, they graze on lush foliage, while in winter, they rely on bark and twigs. This adaptability helps them survive in diverse environments. Keep an eye out for deer in meadows and fields keeping their heads low as they graze.
Autumn marks the rutting season, a time of fierce competition among males. This is when the bellowing calls of Red Deer males are most often heard. They engage in dramatic antler clashes, competing for dominance and the right to mate. The spectacle of these battles and the sight of males posturing for attention is a true natural wonder.
Deer are social animals, often forming herds that vary with the seasons. While some species, like Fallow Deer, form large groups, others like Roe Deer prefer smaller family units. Dominance hierarchies are established, especially among males during the mating season. Observing how they interact offers a glimpse into their complex social lives.
How to Humanely Deter Unwelcome Deer
If deer are venturing into your garden, as stated above the best solution is to restore natural woodland habitats, as they would prefer this anyway. If you need to deter deer from gardens, you can plant deer-resistant foliage.
- Deer-resistant flowers are one option. Avoid pet-toxic flowers near animal friends. Also avoid netting, as this can cause awful injuries to wildlife.
- Grazers (Yorkshire) is a nontoxic calcium-based substance that makes grass unpalatable to deer and other creatures including wild rabbits (so don’t use on edible grass for pet rabbits and guinea pigs).
- Dense hedges act as natural barriers, without spoiling the view. Tall fencing is the other option (but must be over 8 feet tall, as deer are excellent jumpers, and you don’t want them injured or getting stuck).
Deer prefer peace over conflict. If you come face-to-face with one, stay calm. Avoid sudden movements. Speaking in a slow, steady voice helps too. Remember, they’re probably as startled as you are.
Keeping Deer Safe Near Roads
If you see deer on roads (mostly at dawn and dusk), dim lights to avoid startling them. Councils can help by not planting flowers in railings, as deer can get stuck in them (and bolt, even if injured).
If you see an injured deer, call the RSPCA . But also call the police as a traffic hazard (trained marksmen often arrive sooner, and can immediately shoot deer in pain, to prevent further suffering. Read more on making roads safer for wildlife.
Why Hunting for Deer Is Wrong
League Against Cruel Sports say that not only is hunting deer is particularly unkind. This is because they have no sweat glands, so are exhausted from heatstroke, by the time they are killed. This charity has created sanctuaries where deer have literally ‘leaped over the border into safe territory’ where they are safe from hunters. It also conducts investigations into illegal shoots and hunts.
Some deer hunting in England is still legal by gamekeepers, with meat sold as venison. In Maryland (USA), deer contraception is used to keep numbers in check, but care must be taken not to traumatise deer by rounding them up to do this. More solutions need to be found, to avoid shooting deer.
If the League Against Cruel Sports didn’t exist, I’d have started it myself. Bill Oddie OBE (President)
One Man Lives Alone (with Deer) for 7 Years
Read Deer Man, the story of a Frenchman who does what perhaps many of us would dream of doing. He lives alone in the forest – for seven whole years. But more than that, he makes friends with a herd of deer who over time, come to trust him. They even bring him into their clan, play ‘tag’ with him and tell him where the best food is!
This is a lovely book by a gifted writer, who really gets to the essence of life in the forest. He talks of mischievous squirrels, who think nothing of ‘throwing pine cones at him’ if he is sleeping under a tree, blocking their way to food!
The author eventually left, to speak the truth to a human world that desperately needs to hear that we should not take our natural world for granted, and work to protect it.
Roe deer rest day and night for one or two hour cycles. I realise that sleeping at night isn’t compulsory, as long as you rest from time to time. To do that, I crouch down, with my right hand on my left knee and my left hand on my right knee and my head between my arms. I decide to base the rhythm of my life on his; except that, since my stomach has just the one chamber, when he chews the cud, I meditate instead.
Geoffroy Delorme is a naturalist and photographer. Deer Man, a bestseller in France, has been translated into eleven languages. He lives in Normandy.
