At times we may close parts of West Park to visitors as being continually disturbed delays the rutting season. This in turn delays fawning in June - if the fawns are born too late they’ll be unable to go through the next winter with enough body weight.
Also, the bucks are full of testosterone and are trying to hold a group of does to a “lek”. This is an area of ground marked off by a buck which heavily scents the area with urine to deter any other bucks from coming in. The bucks are so engrossed, they are unaware of people approaching - unexpected sound or movement can make them dangerous both to other deer and people.
From park to plate
In October we count the deer so that we can plan ahead for the cull over winter. In order to ensure that the deer are maintained in the best possible health, we need to make sure that the land can sustain the numbers in our herd.
Venison is stocked in the Servants' Hall shop and Avenue Plant Centre when available. Please phone ahead if you're after a particular cut and to check stock.
By November, we’ve started feeding the deer again and this can be an ideal time of year to see the herd once the parkland trees are bare.