Is it illegal to feed deer in your garden?

FEEDING deer can be a tempting way to interact with wildlife, but there are important environmental consequences to consider.

Here's all you need to know about feeding deer in your garden.

Is it illegal to feed deer in your garden?

It's lovely seeing wildlife in your garden, with homeowners tempted to put out food for visitors.

And although feeding deer in your garden is not illegal - it is often discouraged.

Wildlife management guidelines advise against putting out food for deer due to potential negative impacts on their health and behaviour.

Feeding deer can lead to issues such as dependency on human-provided food, which disrupts their natural foraging habits and can cause them to become a nuisance.

Wild deer should not be encouraged to eat any material that is not part of their natural diet.

The British Deer Society states that there is no need to feed the animals as they have plenty of food in the wild.

In fact many householders see their fruit and flowers destroyed by deer getting into their gardens and munching on them.

If you want to keep your gardens blooming, it's best practice to not tempt deer by putting out food.

There is no need to provide them with water either, as they get moisture through their food.

Always remember that deer are wild animals, so should not be approached.

In British law, deer are protected by the Deer Act 1991.

Can you be fined for feeding deer in your garden?

It is not illegal to feed wild animals in the UK, so you are unlikely to be fined.

However, your neighbours may find your actions harmful if there is an impact on them.

Neighbours can complain to the local council if it leads to issues such as attracting vermin or damage to gardens and surrounding areas

Excessive feeding may also attract large numbers of deer.

Deer that become accustomed to human food can pose risks such as vehicle collisions and the spread of disease.

If feeding deer creates issues such as property damage or safety concerns, you might receive a request to cease feeding them.

Is it illegal to feed any animals in your garden?

Feeding animals in your garden is not illegal.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibits actions that harm wildlife, which includes providing food that could be detrimental to their health.

Many Brits are encouraged to put out food and water for hedgehogs, especially in winter months.

However, be aware that putting any food out for wild animals may also attract domestic cats, foxes, squirrels, and rats.

Which species of deer live in the wild in the UK?

THERE are six species of deer running wild in the UK.

However, many are not native to the island.

The six species are:

Fallow deer - these deer were introduced to the UK from the Mediterranean in the 11th century. They have white spots on their coats. The males are the only species in the UK to have palmate antlers.

Muntjac deer - these creatures are classed as an invasive alien species and can now be found across much of central and southern England and Wales. They were brought to Woburn Park, Bedfordshire, from China in the early 20th century. They are a small and stocky species.

Red deer - this is the largest deer in the UK, with the males sporting branching antlers. It is a native species mainly found in woodland and forests in England and southern Scotland. Their coat is a rusty red colour in summer, turning to brown in winter.

Roe deer - another native to UK shores, the roe deer is famous for being the species used in the book Bambi. The male has small antlers, which feature three points. It is the most common deer in the UK.

Sika deer - these were introduced to our shores in 1860. They look similar to fallow deer with widespread antlers.

Water deer - Chinese water deer are mainly found in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk after escaping from Whipsnade Zoo in 1929. They are a small deer with tusks rather than antlers.