The Sika Deer Unit

Pictured Below: Fred shows damage caused by Deer 

Our Objectives

We aim to keep population numbers to an acceptable level and thus minimise crop and habitat damage.  This is achieved with due attention to the careful selection of individual animals in order to maintain the correct hierarchy, authority and balance of the herd.

Indiscriminate shooting of animals or culling of the dominant male or female is counter-productive.  This reduces the quality of the herd and allows large numbers of itinerant animals onto the land, thus causing an increase in crop damage.

Sika Deer Unit managers are on hand to advise on all aspects of deer welfare and will liaise with all parties to maintain open dialogue in sensitive areas, working with the landowner's wishes and desires.

The Cull Plan

Sika Deer Unit managers will set out individually tailored objectives and aims after a census of the population has been completed.  The next step is to provide a cull plan (this will cover a minimum three-year period) with full reporting to the landowner, covering both the natural and unnatural reduction of the herd.  The plan will always retain the best stock and hierarchy in the herd for a healthy and stable deer population.

Effectiveness

It is of the utmost importance that the wishes of the landowner are respected at all times, but local opinion must also be taken into consideration.  When working within public or sensitive areas, the Sika Deer Unit manager can be relied upon to achieve his objectives whilst at the same time causing as little disturbance as possible.