New Forest

The sight of red deer grazing is one of the most enduring images of the New Forest.  However they are quick runners and strong jumpers and if they leap over small fences in search of food, they can cause damage to farm land and crops.

Red Deer grazing

As part of a new plan to combat the problem, four new grazing areas have been set aside within the national park. The fenced off areas should also keep cattle and New Forest ponies off the deer's grazing land.

The sites cover ten hectares in the woodlands around Brockenhurst.  In addition, the New Forest Show Society has opened up their land at New Park as a 'deer lawn' where the animals can feed.

New Forest Keeper Ian Young explained the problem: "When you get 50 or 60 red deer, they can eat a lot of grass.  The farmers will put up with a few, but you've got to be sensible - they can't afford it." 

The developments are part of the Forestry Commission's new Deer Management Plan to create a balance between farming and wildlife conservation in the forest:

Ian Young continued: "It's gradually working, but it'll take time.  If you can work together with landowners and farmers then you can protect this red deer herd."

A male red deer

The red deer is Britain's largest land mammal.  They are much more numerous in Scotland, but the population in the New Forest is currently being kept at around 150.

Numbers have fluctuated over the years and at times they have completely died out. The red deer are in the minority amongst the forest deer species - it is estimated 1,200 fallow deer live within the national park.

Deer spotting is a popular pursuit amongst visitors to the national park.  The red deer's coats change from season to season - from red in summer to greyish brown in winter.  The Stags are easily identified by their large antlers which can grow to over a metre in length.

There are numerous hides in the woodland from which to watch these elusive creatures and there are also organised dusk walks to these hides during the summer.