Deer Management Plans

A deer management plan (DMP) provides a practical and effective framework within which landowners, land managers and deer managers can acknowledge and then attempt to balance the differing uses demanded from an area of land.

We have written DMPs for Woodland Estates in the region in support of Forestry Grants and more recently for Countryside Stewardship and Higher Tier Stewardship schemes where often a DMP is a direct requirement of those schemes and have 30+ years’ experience of woodland, deer and land management.

A central principle of all DMPs is that good deer management should aim to maintain healthy deer populations in balance with their environment. Plans provide a basis for collecting and analysing necessary information which is then used to formulate management decisions.

Planning and good communication between all involved in deer management avoids misunderstandings by ensuring transparency of:

• Management objectives
• Methods of achieving objectives
• Monitoring and recording achievements
• Ongoing reassessment of actions

The process of developing the plan is in itself of value; it will encourage dialogue and highlight the range of expectations. It should therefore enable better collaboration and further understanding of the management challenges.

We have also been involved with managing deer population surveys and comparing population densities to their impact on habitats within the woodland. Recent population surveys have utilised state-of-the-art drone technology with thermal imagery and high-definition high zoom cameras to increase the accuracy and species identification of the survey, and allowing for surveys to be undertaken on a landscape scale. We have also assisted in receiving grant funding to help fund the larger surveys. 

To find out more about how we can help with Deer Management Plans just email or call our Rural Team on 01507 350500 Option 3