They are beautiful creatures but quite destructive. I wouldn't mind them strolling in my garden or sleeping there overnight and even cleaning up their droppings (quite dry) if they weren't so destructive.
Just one stag managed to eat a 7ft high and 6ft diameter shrub in one night - and chase it down with some flowers. They pull branches off the fruit trees and trample other plants.
I put up a 6ft high deer fence (chicken wire strung tightly on metal posts. My neighbour spotted a deer climbing over that by running at it, getting its front legs on the top and climbing up with its back legs. I've now solved that problem. Instead of having the chicken stretched taught I've made the top 3ft loose. So when it tries to get its front legs over the top the wire sags backwards towards it and it can't get a purchase with its rear legs.
No trouble since.
My neighbour doesn't have much that would interest them (mainly lawn and trees) so doesn't bother with trying to keep them out. Last Christmas they were sitting in their lounge on evening and they saw five deer looking in their window.
This has been an increasing problem since the government banned deer hunting. That means the traditional way using dogs and horses - The Local Hunt.
Hunting with guns is allowed (only at certain times of year) but is restricted by area and it is difficult to get a gun licence anyway (which I agree with). All applications have to go through the police and they are particularly stringent in their requirements.
