What is immediate deer population control and when is it needed?

Immediate deer population control in Dorset is a professional service designed to quickly reduce deer numbers where they are causing severe damage to farmland, forestry, or habitats. This is not recreational stalking – it is targeted, licensed population reduction carried out by trained deer managers using ethical, effective methods.

How does long-term deer management benefit farms and estates?

Long-term deer management provides a sustainable approach to protecting land and habitats in Dorset. Through surveys, cull planning, and regular monitoring, landowners can prevent overpopulation, safeguard crops and woodlands, and maintain healthy deer herds without the risks associated with unmanaged growth.

Can deer management support conservation and biodiversity goals?

Yes. Professional deer management is a key part of conservation in Dorset. By keeping populations at sustainable levels, we protect woodland regeneration, improve biodiversity, and support the objectives of organisations such as Natural England, Wildlife Trusts, and Forestry England.

Are grants available for deer management in Dorset?

Farmers and landowners in Dorset can apply for funding through Countryside Stewardship grants, such as WS1 Deer Control and PA7 Deer Management Plans. These schemes support deer population control, monitoring, and fencing where needed. We hold the qualifications and experience to carry out the surveys, prepare the plans, and provide the evidence required for successful applications.

Why choose Durnovaria Deer Management over recreational stalkers?

Our approach is professional, qualified, and accountable. We provide evidence-led deer management services in Dorset, backed by experience in grant applications, stakeholder reporting, and long-term monitoring. Unlike recreational stalking, our work is structured to deliver measurable outcomes for landowners, farmers, and conservation partners.

Get in touch today -info@durnovariadeer.co.uk Tel - 073040 25273

Deer Management Supporting Herbal Leys On Dorset's Chalk Downland

At Durnovaria Deer Management, our role is about more than controlling numbers. It’s about protecting habitats, supporting landowners, and making sure grant-funded schemes deliver the outcomes they were designed for. A recent project on 500 acres of chalk downland shows exactly how professional deer management can make a measurable difference.

9/6/20251 min read

The Challenge: Heavy Grazing Pressure

When we first came onto this ground, the newly planted herbal ley was struggling. Heavy grazing from fallow and sika was stopping plants from flowering and setting seed, undermining soil improvement and biodiversity goals. For the landowner, this meant the scheme risked failing to deliver the outcomes it was funded to achieve.

Our Approach: Consistent Monitoring & Targeted Control

Working alongside the landowner, we began regular census work to monitor deer movements across the site. From this, we applied consistent pressure and removed a significant number of animals. The goal was not blanket reduction, but focused control — removing the right deer at the right time to protect the ley without destabilising the wider population.

The Results: A Measurable Difference

The benefits are already clear on the ground. With reduced browsing, the herbal ley is now doing what it was meant to:

Clover, chicory and knapweed are flowering and setting seed.
Root systems are establishing, improving soil structure and resilience.
Legumes are fixing nitrogen, reducing fertiliser need.
Pollinators are thriving, supported by a diverse flowering sward.

“Professional deer management means being accountable to the land and the landowner — and not being afraid to act when it’s needed.”

Looking Ahead: Balance Into The Rut

We are staying ahead of the curve. By reducing pressure now, the ground is in a stronger position going into the rut later in the year. That means mature animals can behave naturally while the herbal ley continues to strengthen, delivering the soil health and biodiversity benefits it was designed for.

For us, this is what professional deer management looks like — partnership with landowners, targeted action, and measurable results for habitat and biodiversity.

Talk To Us About Your Ground

Managing deer pressure on herbal leys, crops or woodland? We deliver professional, insured and accountable deer control across Dorset and nearby counties.