UK deer species
There are only six species of deer living in the British countryside. Only red deer and roe deer are truly indigenous.
Approach to training
Trainees undertake an induction course followed by both theoretical and practical training with a series of training days.
How to join
All members have the chance to take out annual licenses which permit them to stalk on the Club’s grounds.
How we can help
More detailed advice and guidance on current Government schemes and woodland management can be found here. (photo provided by Ian Alexander)
Who are we and what do we do?
The St Hubert Club of Great Britain has a proud tradition of excellence in responsible deer management. Its membership is drawn from all parts of the country, from all walks of life, the common thread being the active concern with the conservation and management of the six species of deer that live wild in the United Kingdom. It is a fraternity of like-minded individuals and its ethos remains largely unchanged since its formation in 1953.
The Club is primarily concerned with the training of its stalkers to enable them to manage deer safely and effectively for a number of large and small landowners. We were the first to develop a training and testing scheme, which now allows for the acquisition of DSC Level 2 on the way to achieving our more extensive LANTRA qualification. As a result, we have a large number of highly trained and proficient stalkers able to assist a number of landowners throughout the country.
As a fraternity, Club members also enjoy various social events such as regular dinners, traditionally in London, and other events around the country. The opportunities provided form an integrated package, rather than disparate activities, open to all members in keeping with the Club’s ethos.
Why do we need to manage deer populations?
Deer can cause considerable damage to trees and flora and fauna. This is particularly true in relation to areas of new planting. The damage is caused by feeding – browsing and fraying – territory marking and removing velvet from antlers. The damage they cause can and often does, have an adverse effect on the wider habitat impacting other animals, ground nesting birds for example.
Another increasing problem is collisions with vehicles. The toll of deer involved annually in vehicle collisions in the UK is estimated to lie between 42,000 to 74,000.
Deer related RTAs result in over 450 human injuries and several human fatalities every year.
Deer have no natural predators in the UK so an effective deer management strategy is key to controlling their numbers. Without this numbers would rise beyond sustainable levels and in some areas the welfare of the deer themselves would be adversely affected due to food shortages.
It is rarely possible, or desirable, to eradicate deer from an area completely but they can be controlled very effectively and humanely with the right measures.
What species of deer do we have?
There are six species of deer living in the British countryside. Red deer and Roe deer are truly indigenous. Fallow deer were almost certainly introduced by the Normans while the other three species, Reeves muntjac, Chinese water deer and Sika deer arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
How can they be controlled?
Approaches vary depending on the area involved and the nature of the problem. In some cases it is possible to obtain financial assistance for the preparation of a deer management plan, and for planting and protecting trees.
Detailed advice and guidance on the current schemes on this page.
How can we help?
We assist a number of landowners through licences they have granted to us to manage the deer on their land, including areas that have high public access.
For new landowners our approach is we meet with them on site to assess the scale of the problem as a first step. Following that discussion the next stage is usually to agree a management plan and the terms of a formal licence to protect both parties interests.
Our services as usually free and a new licence often requires us to invest in some high seats from which to cull deer. We normally suggest we keep the deer that are culled in lieu of any form of payment and make arrangements for game dealers to collect the tagged carcasses from us ready for entry into the food chain.
What we will not do is to take on the responsibility for managing your deer if we feel that for any reason we cannot do what your need us to do safely, effectively and humanely.
Should you want to have an early discussion with us please get in touch.
