Deer Field Signs - other common field signs

	Roe Deer doe lying up

When out walking in the New Forest, look out for field signs that betray the presence of deer.

Lying up places
These are usually small, often circular areas of flattened grass that indicate where deer have recently rested.

Stream crossing places
Animal fords can be found that are as clearly visible as fords used by man. 

Paths through the undergrowth
Look out for narrow paths through grass or other vegetation, trampled by the regular passage of deer, fox or badger.

	Deer 'creep' below an inclosure fence

Deer 'creeps'
These are passage places under wire fences that often cut a hollow-way through the wood-bank on which the fence sits.

Browse lines
Notice horizontal skirts on overhanging branches, indicating the reach of browsing deer and commoners’ stock –for more information about Browse Lines, click here.

Hair snagged on fences
This is an infrequent sight on the Crown lands of the New Forest where barbed wire fencing is rarely used.

	A Roe Deer ring in spring woodland

Roe Deer ring
Roe rings provide evidence of these tiny creatures repeated chases around tree trunks or broken stumps, chases that leave a circle or figure-of-eight of bare earth liberally sprinkled with slots and often remnants of hair –for more information about Roe Deer rings, click here.

Cast antlers
Cast antlers can occasionally be found, but the deer often gnaw them or even eat them completely, attracted by the calcium in the bone.

References:
Collins Field Guide to the Mammals of Britain and Europe: David Macdonald and Priscilla Barrett
Collins Guide to Animal Tracks and Signs: Preben Bang and Preben Dahlstrom
Sika deer: Rory Putman, British Deer Society
Fallow Deer: Jochen Langbein and Norma Chapman, British Deer Society
Roe Deer: John K. Fawcett, British Deer Society
Deer Watch: Richard Prior