The UK deer population is thought to be up to 2m,
more than at any time since the last Ice Age


The Saint Hubert Club

The St Hubert Club of Great Britain has a proud tradition of excellence in responsible deer management and its membership is drawn from all parts of the country. Our primary concern is with the conservation and management of all species of deer that live wild in the United Kingdom.

What species of deer do we have?

There are six species of deer living in the British countryside. Red deer and Roe deer are truly indigenous. Fallow deer were almost certainly introduced by the Normans while the other three species, Reeves muntjac, Chinese water deer and Sika deer arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Deer close seasons and terms for each gender

England, Wales & N. Ireland

Scotland

Red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Male: Stag Offspring: Calf

Female: Hind Offspring: Calf

1 May - 31 Jul

1 Apr - 31 Oct

No Close Season

16 Feb - 20 Oct

Red/ Sika Hybrids

Male: Stag Offspring: Calf

Female: Hind Offspring: Calf

1 May - 31 Jul

1 Apr - 31 Oct

No Close Season

16 Feb - 20 Oct

Sika deer (Cervus nippon)

Male: Stag Offspring: Calf

Female: Hind Offspring: Calf

1 May - 31 Jul

1 Apr - 31 Oct

No Close Season

16 Feb - 20 Oct

Fallow deer (Dama dama)

Male: Buck Offspring: Fawn

Female: Doe Offspring: Fawn

1 May - 31 Jul

1 Apr - 31 Oct

No Close Season

16 Feb - 20 Oct

Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Male: Buck Offspring: Kid

Female: Doe Offspring: Kid

1 Nov - 31 Mar

1 Apr - 31 Oct

No Close Season

1 Apr - 20 Oct

Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis)

Male: Buck Offspring: Fawn

Female: Doe Offspring: Fawn

1 Apr - 31 Oct

No Season/ Not Present

Reeves muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi)

Male: Buck Offspring: Fawn

Female: Doe Offspring: Fawn

No Close Season

No Close Season

 

There is no close season for muntjac as they breed throughout the year.

In Scotland, there has been no close season for male deer since October 2023

How can they be controlled?

Approaches vary depending on the area involved and the nature of the problem. In some cases it is possible to obtain financial assistance for the preparation of a deer management plan, and for planting and protecting trees.

Detailed advice and guidance on the current schemes on this page.

FIND OUT MORE

How can we help?

We have long established experience on managing deer on land with high public access and we are happy we meet on site to assess the scale of the problem as a first step. Following that discussion the next stage is usually to agree a management plan.

Should you want to have an early discussion with us please get in touch.

GET IN TOUCH