We are often asked about the deer in Epping Forest. What are the different species and where do they come from? What is the story behind the deer sanctuary? This excerpt from Getting To Know Epping Forest by Ken Hoy (2010) offers some of the answers.
In early times, roe deer and red deer inhabited Epping Forest. The last red deer were killed early in the 19th century. There was an unsuccessful attempt to reintroduce some animals of both species at the end of that century. However, the red deer were considered dangerous and were soon removed again and the reintroduced roe deer had disappeared by the 1920s.
In the recent past, the Forest has been known for its herd of wild fallow deer that it is thought were introduced by the Normans, although there is some evidence of their earlier presence in England. Books about the Forest invariably mention these Forest deer and they are often described as unique to Epping Forest. However, that is not true. Since at least by the end of the 19th century, the dark or so-called ‘black’ form of the fallow deer had almost completely predominated in the Epping herd. But the dark form is not unique to the Forest as small numbers are found in other herds throughout the country, although never are they in the majority as they have been in Epping Forest.
During the 20th century fallow deer could be seen frequently in the Forest in considerable numbers where their grazing would have a significant influence on the grassland until the 1960s when, following several years of high road casualties and disturbance, numbers became drastically reduced. However, a considerable population of mixed types of fallow deer, both the common spotted and dark forms, has multiplied in the countryside to the northwest of the Forest where they can often be seen. A few still frequent the Forest. Conservators have created a deer sanctuary on part of the old Birch Hall estate at Theydon Bois. Here a herd of the dark fallow deer from the Forest, now numbering over 100 on average, lives enclosed on some 90 acres of woodland and grassland. They can sometimes be seen from Forest land at the north corner of Birch Wood. Approach up the hill quietly to the high wire fence. The deer can be quite close – if not, move slowly down the fence south-eastwards and you are likely to see them… binoculars are useful! There is no public access to the sanctuary.
Fallow deer, of the varied forms, can also be seen in the buffer lands northwest of the Forest. Use the green lanes and footpaths for access. Much of the buffer land is accessible to the public, but the woods are NOT. Dogs must be leashed.
The little muntjac deer from southeast Asia, having escaped in the 1920s from Woburn Abbey, then colonised much of southern England. It first appeared in Epping Forest in the 1960s (apart from one that was released into the Forest in 1958). Now it is usually present in the Forest wherever the woodland is thick enough. However, it is a retiring animal, mostly solitary and luck is usually required to see one. It is not much bigger than a dog and has a rounded back that is only 2 feet high. It is not always recognised as a deer. It has a loud slightly ‘hysterical’ sounding bark that is particularly loud and persistent during the rut.
