The British Deer Society

Welcome to

The British Deer Society
What do we do? - BDS promotes deer education, research and management best practice to ensure a healthy and sustainable deer population in balance with the environment; a key feature of the biodiversity of the UK landscape.
What do we do?
Welcome to

The British Deer Society
Our aim - BDS aims to be the go-to place for objective and unbiased information on the biology of deer and methods of deer management, humane treatment and control.
Our aim
Welcome to

The British Deer Society
Research - BDS provides funding and support for high quality deer research to inform government(s), academia, trade organisations, members, the media and the public.
Our research
Welcome to

The British Deer Society
Membership - BDS embraces a varied membership ranging from professional biologists, enthusiastic naturalists, keen photographers, wildlife artists and chefs to deer managers and stalkers. All are welcome.
Join us
Welcome to

The British Deer Society
Education - BDS aims to improve general education and understanding of all deer-related issues, through active engagement and access to high quality educational materials.
Our education
Welcome to

The British Deer Society
Training - We develop and deliver high quality training programmes to promote best practice in deer management.
Our training
Welcome to

The British Deer Society
How can you help us? - Help BDS continue its education and research programme. Secure the future of wild deer in the UK by becoming a member, making a donation, or purchasing from our shop. Thank you for your support.
Join | Donation | Shop

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Latest News

BDS AGM Weekend Sat 11th/Sun 12th May 2019

Book now for the Society’s AGM weekend, based at The Doubletree by Hilton Cambridge Belfry hotel, where Saturday’s Dinner and Sunday’s AGM will take place.

Saturday’s visit will include Euston Hall with its splendid art collection and beautiful gardens, plus an afternoon within the Estate's woodland. Events will run in combination with the branch range day at Euston so anyone wishing, could spend part of their time at the range where Edgar Brothers will be on hand displaying rifles, ammunition and optics.

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Can you donate a lot for the 2019 BDS Internet Auction?

BDS is unbelievably grateful to our many loyal and generous donors who give lots each year. If you have something you would be happy to donate, stalking and other sporting lots are particularly welcome, then please do let us know. Items like these invariably prove the most popular in the auction, provide the bulk of the auction income and often result in new friendships.

Please do contact Helen admin@bds.org.uk and let her know if you can help the Society in any way.

Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019

Readers may be aware that EU Regulation 1143/2014 on Invasive Non-Native Species will be implemented within UK legislation via a Statutory Order from end of March 2019. The Order relates only to species on the EU’s list of Species of Concern and thus for our purposes relates solely to Chinese muntjac Muntiacus reevesi. The Order will only apply to England and Wales and in essence brings legislation here in line with that already in effect in other parts of the UK.

As noted in Peter Green’s article in the Winter issue of Deer: it is already illegal to release muntjac in areas outside their current distributional range with the current exemption that they may be released under licence within 1 km of where they were found. This exemption will be removed after 29th March.

It is our understanding , from ongoing correspondence with Defra, that...Read more