
Park deer management isn’t as easy as it seems
By Matt Dutton.
IT can be one of the most controversial subjects in the world of deer management, it sparks jealously, argument and ridicule, and sadly it’s usually from others in the shooting fraternity. But the fact remains, deer need to be managed in whatever surroundings they find themselves in, open countryside, parkland areas or fenced properties.
Shooting deer in parks or enclosed areas is an extremely difficult task to perform well, and anyone who says otherwise clearly hasn’t done it. I started managing a park herd of red deer more than 10 years ago and quickly learned it wasn’t as easy as I first thought.
Red deer are difficult animals to deal with in any situation, their sheer size makes everything harder. Add to that the specific issues that come with an enclosed or park deer herd, and you’re in for a tough time.