Deer Management is an essential part of a wider wildlife management plan within any natural environment in the UK.
Deer in the UK have no natural apex predator.
In order to maintain a healthy deer population and to ensure that they do not have a detrimental impact on the estate and wider environment, land owners and managers have a responsibility to manage the resident deer.
There are six species of deer in the UK.
Only two of them are native, Roe and Red Deer.
The two species of deer present at Hearthstanes are Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Sika Deer (Cervus Nippon)
By the 19th century, Roe deer had disappeared from most of the UK, surviving only in Scotland and isolated pockets elsewhere. Reintroductions from Europe and positive habitat change helped the species recover and it is now abundant.
Sika deer are native to eastern Asia but were introduced to deer parks in the UK in 1860
While animals from a number of sources were introduced into enclosed parks the only free-living form in Britain is considered to be the Japanese sika. It is possible that almost all (if not all) living English, Scottish and some Irish sika are descendants from only one stag and three hinds introduced to Viscount Powerscourt’s deer park at Enniskerry, Eire in 1860.
Whilst no wild population of Red deer exists near the estate, Sika deer can also have a negative impact on native Red deer. In areas where they both occur, the two species will sometimes interbreed, giving birth to hybrids. Over time this could lead to the number of true red deer being gradually reduced
The deer on the estate are carefully managed to ensure that a healthy population exists whilst maintaining minimal or as close to zero damage to the flora of the estate.
With particular focus on the coniferous and deciduous tree plantations that can be quickly decimated by deer browsing and fraying of bark as the males clean the velvet off their antlers.
Habitat Impact Assessments are carried our on a regular basis as one way of determining the number of deer present and areas requiring increased or decreased deer management.
Whilst fencing and physical boundaries can help keep deer out they do not allow for population management, a vital element where no natural predators exist.
Population management is done through shooting selected deer in a tightly controlled and ethical manner.
Regulations on shooting deer in the UK ensure that only specific firearms are used to ensure a very quick and humane death.
All of the parties involved in the management of the deer are experienced and qualified to above the current standards required.
The deer that are killed as part of the management plan are the source of one of the finest and healthiest protein sources available.
Venison is a not only ethical and sustainable, its nutritional value out performs red meat in leanness, less fat and overall calories. Venison is high in essential amino acids and in addition, a rich source of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and zinc.
Currently the venison produced from the Deer management enters the food chain through local and National game dealers.