Deer in Epping Forest

Wild deer are captivating animals deeply intertwined with the landscape. Fallow and muntjac deer roam freely across the ancient wood pasture of Epping Forest and beyond. This page explains the types of deer we have in the Forest, their role in the ecosystem and our approach to deer management. 

Fallow

First introduced to England by the Romans, it was the Normans in the 11th century who ensured fallow deer’s lasting presence.

Of the UK’s six deer species, fallow are unique in having palmate antlers — they grow broad and flat like an outstretched palm. Antlers are vital for adult male deer (known as bucks) when they are competing for the affection of the does (female deer) during the rut.

Fallow are medium-to-large deer, live for 12 to 16 years and have four main coat colours, known as a pelage.

• Melanistic: Deer with very dark coats that are particularly associated with Epping Forest.
• Common: Tan in colour, with white spots on their flank and a black horseshoe on their rump. The whole coat fades to a two-tone grey during the winter.
• Menil: Paler than common fallow and keep their white spots all year round, with a caramel horseshoe on the rump.
• White: Sandy to white in colour, their coats get whiter with age.

A fallow deer with simple short spike antlers is an adolescent male called a pricket. Prickets stay with the doe herds until they are in their second or third year.

Muntjac

Small and stocky, muntjac are sometimes mistaken for dogs or even wild boar. Originally from Asia, muntjac are an invasive non-native species imported to Woburn Park in the early 1900s. They were first sighted in the Forest during the 1960s. Unlike the sociable fallow deer, muntjac spend their time alone or in pairs. They are also much smaller: a mature muntjac buck stands about 50 cm tall and weighs up to 18kg, while a fallow deer can reach nearly a metre and weigh 95 kg!

The distinctive call of the chestnut brown muntjac has given them the colloquial name ‘barking deer.’ You can also recognise the male by the black V shape on its face, which leads up to its small simple antlers.

Did you know?

Deer shed their antlers every year.

Spotting deer in the Forest

Naturally elusive, deer are most active during early mornings and dusk when they are searching for food. The best chance for a visitor to see them is by moving quietly and scanning the undergrowth ahead. You might also be able to spot hoof prints or droppings. Larger herds of fallow deer are mainly found to the north of Epping Forest where they move freely between the Buffer Lands, Forest Land and the neighbouring countryside. If you’re visiting in autumn, you may even hear the fallow deer rutting. 

The Rut

The rutting season runs from late September to November. Male fallow deer (bucks) compete for territory and the attention of female deer (does). The bucks lock antlers dramatically and it can be dangerous to be too close. Should you encounter this seasonal spectacle please maintain a 100m distance and keep dogs under effective control.

During the rut preoccupied deer are at greater risk of running unexpectedly onto roads so please continue to drive carefully and cautiously throughout Epping Forest.

Did you know?

The UK has six native and introduced deer species, among more than 40 species found worldwide.

Deer Impact

Deer eat leaves, shoots and even the bark of woody plants. Where deer populations grow too large, they overgraze. This results in them damaging the Forest by eating scarce plants like oxlip and harming trees by stripping bark and browsing new growth.

Deer overpopulation can result in the natural woodland understory, field, and ground layers being eaten, creating a ‘browse line.’

When walking in the Forest you may notice a gap in the foliage below shoulder height, with thicker growth above. You have spotted a deer ‘browse line’. Where the ground looks bare, with few seedlings, brambles, or other plants, it suggests deer numbers are high.

The loss of this woodland structure denies important sources of nectar, berries and nuts to birds, insects, and other animals. It also reduces the availability of sheltering and nesting habitat for woodland bird species. Ultimately, deer overgrazing saplings even threatens the Forest’s natural cycle of regeneration by preventing new trees from reaching maturity and replacing older trees as they die.

Adding to the absence of predation in the UK, mild winters contribute to an increased deer birth rate. Fallow and muntjac populations have grown in recent years. This has created an imbalance, which negatively impacts the Forest ecosystems and deer welfare. Deer management is a statutory obligation for those responsible for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) like Epping Forest.

Maintaining a healthy herd

We conduct annual deer population counts, deer grazing habitat impact and activity surveys and assessments, including the use of sophisticated thermal drone surveying.

Damage to parts of the ancient woodland is currently high, meaning a reduction in numbers is necessary. We are working to promote deer herd health and wider Forest biodiversity by reaching a sustainable population.

Where their population is in harmony with the environment, deer positively impact forest ecology; shaping the undergrowth, helping maintain open areas and supporting plant diversity. This creates habitats for various species which thrive in the increased light and space created by selective browsing. This balance supports a richer, more resilient ecosystem. The maintenance of a healthy herd will always be necessary, just as it has been for the last 1,000 years.

Deer management

Our professional deer management team are trained to the highest standards and able to operate around visitors. We recognise that people may not wish to witness population control in progress. For this reason, we provide the following information so an informed choice can be made about when to visit:

• The fallow deer open season in England starts on 1 November and ends on 31 March. Muntjac have no closed season because they breed year-round.
• In areas with high public footfall population control may be conducted under special license.
• Population control is not done south of the Forest where deer population levels are lower.

Deer management at Epping Forest is supported by Natural England, The Forestry Commission, and The Deer Initiative.

During the season we ensure that venison from our deer management work is not wasted. We make available high-quality, sustainably sourced venison through our Visitor Centre and elsewhere. All proceeds go to the Epping Forest Charity for the preservation of the Forest for future generations.

The income from venison sales is significantly less than the cost of managing the deer population. Deer management is not a profit-making activity for the Epping Forest Charity. It is a necessary and costly measure to protect the health and biodiversity of the Forest.

For further information call us on 020 8532 1010