Norfolk Deer Strategy
About this service
What is the Norfolk Deer Strategy?
The Norfolk Deer Strategy is working with farmers, deer managers and stakeholders across the county to deliver improved coordination of effective and efficient deer management.
This beneficial collaboration aims to create more awareness of deer impacts whilst fostering working partnerships that will aid in reducing agricultural, forestry and environmental impacts. With the added benefit of delivering healthy sustainable natural food to the wider population.
The benefits
The Norfolk Deer Strategy delivering benefits for all
Having more effective control and management of wild deer across Norfolk will have many benefits, not only to landowners and deer managers, but also to the wider community. Some of these include:
- Reducing agricultural, forestry and environmental impacts
- Improving crop yields, supporting local farmers and improving UK food security
- Rewarding deer managers with better prices for ethically sourced venison
- Reducing deer vehicle collisions (DVC’s) across the county
- Aiding in Nature Recovery and Climate Change goals
- Bringing natural, healthy and sustainable food to more people
- Reducing damage to community tree planting and nature projects
- Reducing the need for miles of deer fencing which hampers nature connectivity
Testimonial
Norfolk Wild Venison works closely with landowners, estates and professional stalkers to ensure that wild deer are managed responsibly and humanely, while producing high-quality venison for the local food chain.
Through the Norfolk Deer Strategy and the work of Norfolk FWAG, we have been introduced to key partners such as the Deepdale Estate, where we now assist with coordinated deer management that supports farming, biodiversity and habitat protection. These connections have been invaluable in aligning practical deer control with positive environmental outcomes.
The strategy has also helped link us with skilled, ethical stalkers across Norfolk, strengthening our supply base and enabling more wild venison to be processed locally and supplied to butchers, schools and households. This not only provides a healthy, sustainable protein for people’s tables, but also plays an important role in reducing deer impacts on crops, woodland regeneration and sensitive habitats.
The Norfolk Deer Strategy demonstrates how collaboration between land managers, stalkers and local food businesses can deliver real benefits for nature, farming and the wider community.
David Johnson from Norfolk Wild Venison
Testimonial
Michael has been extremely helpful from the start of the process, first visiting the farm to understand the species and numbers of deer on our land, as well as the challenges particular to our farm.
He has provided guidance on how to structure agreements with our stalkers and given advice on how to access funding for deer management related infrastructure.
Now we are more confident with our deer management plan and have managed to tie up with Norfolk Wild Venison to provide local venison to our local shop, enabling both locals, and visitors to the area, to enjoy this sustainable, healthy meat.
Anna Biesty from Deepdale Farm
Testimonial
“The Norfolk deer strategy plays an important role in creating opportunities for mentoring and training in deer management across Norfolk. By supporting access to real working situations and encouraging experienced deer managers to pass on their knowledge, the strategy helps ensure that high standards of safety, welfare and professionalism are maintained while skills are passed on to the next generation.
I have been extremely fortunate to benefit from this approach. Being given the opportunity to be trained by an experienced deer manager has provided me with practical experience that would be very difficult to gain otherwise. Learning in the field has helped me to understand not only the technical aspects of deer management, but also the judgement, safety, preparation and responsibility involved. Through opportunities like this, the Norfolk Deer Strategy is making a real contribution to developing competent and responsible deer managers of the future”.
Max Craven, Deer Manager in training
Long term
The long term benefit
Bringing together collective expertise and collaboration over the longer term will build in the required resilience to face future food security, climate change and human health challenges. Major impacts of the successful strategy will include:
- Delivery of more sustainable locally produced food to more people
- Environmental benefits of improved biodiversity enhancing nature recovery goals
- Reducing healthcare and insurance costs relating to deer vehicle collisions
- Establishing sound scientific evidence to support continued effective deer management
- Longterm UK food and timber security helping to reduce carbon emissions from imports
Free advice
Our support
The Norfolk Deer Strategy has its foundation in building relationships that are all-inclusive and non-competitive. Our advice to every stakeholder is free and we welcome participation from everyone who has a vested interest in managing deer effectively across the county. And with the strategies collective expertise we can connect you to the right people and/or organisation to assist you in achieving your deer management goals.
For those who are ‘signed-up’ to the initiative you will be included in our monthly newsletter and, depending on your area of interest (landowner, deer manager, venison processor / retailer etc.) you will be notified of opportunities to take part in events, workshops, training and discussion groups.
The sharing of information, success stories and opportunities will help us build a strong collaborative partnership where participation will be key to collective success.
St Hubert Deer Management provides expert solutions to farmers, foresters, landowners, and managers, regardless of property size. Established in Norfolk in 1953, we prepare management strategies, conduct risk assessments, and ensure effective implementation through our network of qualified, insured deer managers.
The Broads Authority plays a strategic role in safeguarding the rare wetland habitats of the Broads National Park. As deer populations increasingly impact both arable land and sensitive ecosystems, the Authority works with partners—including Norfolk FWAG—to coordinate efforts by bringing together conservation bodies and deer management groups.
Our Partners
Contact Us
How do I become part of the strategy and who do I need to speak to?
Michael is an experienced deer manager, retired farmer and former FWAG award winner with many years of hands on experience of the complexities of building working relationships that benefit all parties.
He will be delighted to talk to you with regards to any deer related issues. Site visits can be arranged to discuss operational needs and advice on different control measures. He is also keen to speak with everyone involved in the ‘Field to Fork’ food chain so that everybody, from deer managers to consumers benefit from the Norfolk Deer Strategy.
Case studies & Projects
Associated Deer Strategy Projects
Site overview Deepdale Farm was one of the first farms to become involved in the work of Norfolk FWAG’s Norfolk Deer Strategy (NDS), back in July 2025, when Anna and Fiona invited us along to see how the farm was evolving into a haven for nature and people on the north Norfolk coast. Deepdale was […]
What is our involvement in the Deer Management Sector? In May 2024 a deer management workshop was held by the Broads Authority, Norfolk FWAG and the Forestry Commission to discuss the growing deer population in the Norfolk Broads. This meeting highlighted the necessity for a more effective and coordinated approach to deer management within the […]
Norfolk FWAG are currently seeking financial contributions, via a crowdfunding campaign, to develop a Norfolk strategy to better manage deer populations, and ensure venison can enter the local food chain. Through working with our membership and partners, including the Broads Authority and Forestry Commission, it has been identified that deer management is a complex challenge. […]