What is the law about deer

[betweenthelines]

You don't have to shoot them, just fire a shotgun over their heads to move them off your fields.

But be careful, we once had the local Deer Protection Group report us to the police as poachers!

 

[Devil's advocate]

Farmers a few miles away, complain about Mutjacs? Are they a problem to others?

 

[GarMan]

Based on what's on the tenancy agreement if you have shooting rights on the land, you should be able to manage the numbers. The deer belongs to noone but once shot belongs to the land owner where its lying dead. Do reach out to your local stalkers who does this and rather than a mass cull, its better managed. Take out the hinds first along with the fawns/ prickets. If the one managing the deer has an open FAC, you don't need to clear the land for any caliber. Shotguns can also be used with slugs if damage to crops are a problem.

 

[Longlowdog]

If you own land the law is very clear. However as others have stated the devil is in the detail of your contract. You don't want to lose the ship for a ha'porth o' tar. If the owner is selling lowland stag stalking on another part of his land and you wipe out his income you could be screwed if you take matters into your own hands without being crystal clear where you stand legally and contractually.
One thing to be quite certain is that without written consent the management is in the hands of 'the land owner or his agent' if he should appoint you as agent you cannot sub-appoint someone else to shoot without that bit of paper.

 

[bottletopbill]

Should have no problems in Kent or Sussex as we would do this for free to any farmer/land owner and we have to be insured licensed so give us a call 07788181724.

many thanks

 

[Jon]

I'm a 2nd generation tenant on a three generation tenancy.

So what is the law on deer? do I have the right to demand they are culled or organise culling if required? Or are they game that are the landlords property.

Some of my cropping is field veg, so extremely concerned.

Have you spoken to your Landlord ?
If they are a pest you should be allowed to control them, or get someone in who legally can.

 

[Longlowdog]

Deer are not a pest, on many estates they are a valuable asset bringing in a lot of stalking income on both high ground and lowland acres. A lot of stalkers are paying handsomely for the right to stalk deer simply as a form of recreation. That is not to say they are clueless. Many younger stalkers are taking part in a lot of training and may despite having deep pockets also have a very good grasp of management.
Without the consent of the landowner even a tenant may be prosecuted for poaching and a tenancy isn't for life if you accrue a criminal conviction whilst in residence for a crime against the estate.

 

[Lincoln75]

Deer don't "belong" to anyone-they are wild animals.

Get them shot

And get arrested .

 

[Lincoln75]

Could they be rounded up and sold on ?

Plenty of Deer farmers about .. may as well try to make something out of it.

You've never worked with deer have you?

 

[Lincoln75]

Deer are not a pest, on many estates they are a valuable asset bringing in a lot of stalking income on both high ground and lowland acres. A lot of stalkers are paying handsomely for the right to stalk deer simply as a form of recreation. That is not to say they are clueless. Many younger stalkers are taking part in a lot of training and may despite having deep pockets also have a very good grasp of management.
Without the consent of the landowner even a tenant may be prosecuted for poaching and a tenancy isn't for life if you accrue a criminal conviction whilst in residence for a crime against the estate.

Exactly that , if you have the right to cull deer as a tenant you still cant just go out and do it when you please....Deer and the law.

 

[Longlowdog]

Deer farms don't take rag tag deer from just any old wood even if you had the money to pay the vet teams to do the catching. Farmed deer genetics is a science in its own right and the best hind lines and stag semen are worth considerable amounts of money.

 

[Exfarmer]

must have a hell of a lot of dear if they are damaging crops we have a constant wild heard of about 40 roe deer on 1100ac and they do minimal damage to crops but more to young trees, poachers get a few and we shoot a few but nice to see around

You have not grown potatoes!