New Forest Deer Numbers and origins

	Sika Deer hind and part-concealed youngster

In the New Forest, Fallow Deer, Roe Deer, Red Deer and Sika Deer are present in good numbers, whilst Muntjac also occur, but are rarely seen.

Fallow Deer are those most likely to be seen. They occur in the highest numbers - at times more than 2,000 animals are present - and they’re widespread throughout the area. The resident population is also often supplemented by visiting deer from nearby private land, particularly in the north of the area in years when New Forest acorns and beech mast are abundant.

The Roe Deer population averages 400 - 500 animals. They, too, are fairly widespread, although many are found around the edges of the Crown land, close to better roe deer feeding areas on adjacent agricultural land.

Around 150 Red Deer are present, and the same number of Sika Deer. Red Deer are most often seen on heathlands around Brockenhurst, although some also frequent the heaths near Burley and, occasionally, Lyndhurst. Sika Deer primarily occur in a number of woodlands east of Brockenhurst, and to the south of the main railway line, although wanderers are occasionally encountered elsewhere.

Both Roe Deer and Red Deer are natives, animals indigenous to the New Forest.

Roe Deer, though, in much of England had been hunted to extinction by the end of the 16th century, and only reappeared in the New Forest in the late 19th century, and then as wanderers from an introduced Dorset herd.

The New Forest Red Deer population, too, has seen its ups and downs, and has been periodically boosted by stock introduced from elsewhere. There have also been attempted exports, too. In the 19th century, for example, The Times reported failed New Forest Stag Hunt attempts to take both Red Deer hinds and Red Deer stags alive, noting that many were wanted to stock Windsor Park, and commenting that more success would be had by the use of nets, ‘as had happened with great success 30 years ago.’

Fallow Deer and Sika Deer are both relative newcomers to Britain and the New Forest. Circumstantial evidence suggests that Fallow Deer were introduced from Europe by the Normans, although it has also been less convincingly suggested that the Romans were responsible. Sika Deer, we know for certain, were introduced from Asia onto the Beaulieu Estate at some time around the end of the 19th century, from where escapes and releases formed the basis for the New Forest population.

References:
The History of British Mammals: Derek Yalden
Deer Watch: Richard Prior
New Forest Roe deer: John K. Fawcett
Roe deer: John K. Fawcett
Sika deer: Rory Putman
Fallow deer: Jochen Langbein and Norma Chapman