Restoring Reynolds & Holcot Woods - Why deer management matters for nature recovery (Part 9)

In 2023, we began a 10-year journey to restore Reynolds and Holcot Woods — woodlands that had suffered from years without active management. Our goal is to strengthen these habitats against pests, disease, and climate change, while increasing biodiversity and helping wildlife thrive once again. As the project progresses, we’ll continue sharing the challenges, methods, and successes along the way. In Part 9 of ‘Restoring Reynolds & Holcot Woods’, we explore the impact deer populations are having on these ancient woodlands, the approaches we are using to manage them, and the positive results already emerging in just a short time.

---

Posted 2nd June 2026

The UK is home to 6 species of deer, only two of which are considered truly native. Red deer and Roe deer have lived in the UK since the beginning of the Holocene period (the last 11,700 years of earth’s history), with Fallow deer having been introduced by the Normans after 1066, meaning they’re often referred to as ‘honorary’ natives.

The remaining species: Sika, Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer, were introduced over the last 200 years, often having escaped from private collections on large estates and then rapidly spreading across the countryside due to a lack of natural predators.

Sika, Muntjac & Chinese Water deer (photo credit: Liz Hall) are all species that have been previously introduced into the wild.

Rising deer populations

There is currently an estimated 2 million wild deer in the UK, a huge rise (over 300%) from the 450,000 or so that populated our isles in the 1970’s.

One of the most significant problems, especially within the Bedfordshire area, is the massive growth in numbers of Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer. Both of these species are non-native to the UK and have pushed out our native species, meaning it’s rare to see either Fallow and Roe deer in the Forest of Marston Vale now – whereas they were abundant within living memory.

Red deer (left) and Roe deer (middle) are England's native species of deer; (right) Fallow deer were introduced in 1066 and is now classed as a naturalised species. 

Why are non-native deer a problem?

In the East of England, including Bedfordshire - a stronghold for both Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer – it is estimated that deer cost the economy £7-£10 million per year. This comes from the browsing of agricultural crops, forestry crops, gardens, collisions with vehicles and the direct damage to valuable local habitats.

Muntjac deer breed all year round, and with no set breeding season, they can have multiple fawns per year. Whilst Chinese Water Deer breed seasonally, during the cold winter months, changes in climate may now be prolonging their breeding season.

As neither of these species have evolved with our landscape and ecosystems, the damage they can cause in a short space of time can be highly damaging to the plant life and other wildlife that call the same environment home.

High deer populations also affect the health of the deer themselves. Food becomes scarce and the herd health declines as the woodland is unable to support the resident numbers.

 

Images, left to right: understory of Holcot wood grazed by deer. Luke Quenby, Community Forester talking to staff about deer management at Reynolds & Holcot Woods.

 

Impacting the restoration of our ancient woodland

Two years ago we embarked upon a 10-year journey to restore Reynolds and Holcot Woods – an area made up of ancient, semi-ancient and young woodlands. Our involvement in these woodlands aimed to bring them back to life after many years of neglect, increasing their biodiversity and climate resilience.  

It soon became clear we had a problem with deer numbers in these woodlands - both Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer were easy to spot, and the damage they were doing to the entire woodland, not just the most valuable ancient areas, was extensive and devastating. Coppice regeneration was being instantly browsed off, ground flora was sparse and tree seedlings could not get away to establish new growth. Existing trees showed bark damage, impacting their growth and hedgerows were being heavily browsed, preventing low growth, making them less viable for the plethora of nature that relies on them. The ecological impact of the deer was impossible to ignore.

Taking action: Our approach

We knew action was necessary, not just for the protection of the woodland but also for the herd health and welfare. We began a professional and systematic assessment process in March 2024:

This gave us clear evidence and direction for action. It enabled us to develop a deer management plan in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, with our main goal being to professionally lessen the impact the deer were having on the valuable and fragile habitat of Reynolds and Holcot Woods.

We engaged a highly trained and qualified deer stalker, working closely with him to set a target for the size of deer population these woodlands could support. It was not a decision we took lightly, but for the protection and preservation of a biodiverse and healthy woodland and for the health of the deer herd itself it was necessary and was done to the highest and most professional standard.

Alongside this we also started to use Trico, a natural spray made from emulsified sheep fat that acts as a deterrent to browsing. Within the first year of its use, Trico worked brilliantly, with little to no browsing of the coppice regeneration in the first plot just inside the main Holcot Wood gate. Going forward, we will continue to use Trico to protect key areas of new planting and coppice, this will work well with reduced deer numbers.

Both pictures show the area Trico has been used. The picture on the right shows successful use as new shoots appear.

Positive results

This spring, we’ve repeated both the Deer Impact and Woodland Condition Assessments. After just 2 years the results of the management was excellent. Both scores have moved in the right direction, indicating the woodlands are experiencing a much reduced deer impact.

Previous areas for concern are showing promising improvement, with coppice regeneration progressing excellently, woodland flora returning (bluebell, celandine, primrose, dogs’ mercury, bugle and wood anemone – the latter of which has been absent for some time), hedgerow bases thickening and tree seedlings beginning to establish.

Looking ahead

We’ll continue to assess our deer management plan. Deer will always be part of the woodland ecosystem, but they are a threat at high numbers, so we must remain vigilant and innovative in managing the population.

The culling of deer, or any animal is not an easy subject to address, but if done responsibly and professionally, it can positively transform a landscape, conserve valuable ancient woodland habitats for generations to come, whilst importantly ensuring the best welfare for the remaining animals.

Importantly, the deer meat from culling doesn’t go to waste, providing a high protein, low fat meat source. In a time when many of us are trying to move to more natural, less manufactured and processed foods, venison is a natural choice.

This spring, Reynolds and Holcot Woods have been a joy to work in, with light flooding in, newly planted trees becoming established, coppice regenerating, ground flora flourishing and birdsong off the scale. The restoration process is bearing fruit and the woodland is alive with a wealth of colour, health and biodiversity.

---