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Managing deer

Managing deer is a crucial aspect of woodland management due to the impacts they can have on the environment, trees, biodiversity, human health and safety.

Published: 22 Feb 2025

Topic: Manage forests

Why we manage deer levels

We estimate there are now over one million deer of all species in Scotland. 

And, as deer have no natural predators in Scotland, we must intervene to manage deer populations at levels that do not exceed the carrying capacity of the environment in which they live. 

For example, in Scotland, when red deer populations exceed four or five individuals per 100 hectares, they may damage habitats severely.

High deer levels can cause welfare issues within deer populations. For example, large numbers of deer can die in hard winters due to a lack of food. 

Deer can damage woodlands

Deer eat young trees, before they’ve had a chance to grow.

Deer can also damage trees directly. For example, deer rub their antlers against the bark of trees to mark their territories. This can cause trees to die or can reduce the timber value. 

Large numbers of deer can over-graze the ground flora in woodlands and can also trample the ground, preventing regrowth. 

Did you know?

By managing deer numbers, we can protect more of the 150 million young trees across Scotland’s forests and woodlands.

To protect wildlife

Scotland's forests are home to a huge number of species. 

These other plants and animals rely on food and shelter that can easily be damaged or destroyed by deer. 

For example, deer can significantly reduce the shrub layer and tree regeneration. This reduces the number of songbirds that a woodland can support.

Impacts of large herbivores on woodlands (Forest Research)

Improving public safety

As deer numbers rise, tick numbers can also rise, increasing the risk to transmission to humans. 

Ticks are small, spider-like creatures that feed on birds and mammals, including deer. They can also feed on humans, sometimes passing on Lyme disease. 

Deer are also the cause of a significant number or road traffic collisions. 

Deer collisions

The number of recorded collisions in Scotland rose significantly between 2008 and 2017. But there have almost certainly been many more that were not recorded. The actual number of collisions could be much higher, due to the increase in populations of all four species of deer.
1,135
deer collisions
in 2008
2,006
deer collisions
in 2017
14,000
deer collisions
possible, per year, due to the increase in populations of all four species of deer

Deer management measures

As part of sustainable forest management, deer may need to be managed.

Deer management measures should be developed and implemented as part of a management plan.

The aim here is that deer browsing does not prevent regeneration of trees or the development of resilient forests. Ideally this will be in co-operation with neighbours or as part of a Deer management Group.

These measures may include all or some of the following: 

  • deer management plan 

    You need to create a plan to manage deer populations effectively. This may include assessing deer numbers and their impact on your woodland. 

  • legal requirements 

    You need to ensure compliance with legislation regarding deer management. This includes obtaining necessary authorisations within the legislation of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 with: 

    • out-of-season culling 
    • night-shooting of deer 

  • fencing and protection 

    Consider installing deer fencing to protect young trees and sensitive areas. In conjunction with shooting, this can help prevent unacceptable levels of damage. 

  • monitoring and control 

    You should regularly monitor deer populations and their impact on your woodland. Implement control measures, such as culling, where necessary. This will help maintain a favourable balance between deer and woodland condition. 

  • collaboration 

    Look to work with neighbouring landowners and local deer management groups. You can then coordinate efforts in order to manage deer populations at agreed sustainable levels.

Published: 22 Feb 2025

Last updated: 24 Sep 2025

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