Factors affecting the seasonal distribution of red deer (Cervus elaphus) at Glen Dye, north-east Scotland

Part of a red deer herd found on an estate in north-east Scotland in summer spent more time on neighbouring ground during the winter where they damaged farms and woods. Factors associated with the deer's seasonal distribution were studied to help understand how to keep more deer on the estate in winter. There were no indications that food species or food quality were responsible for the observed changes in deer distribution, or that other animals or disturbance influenced distribution over a long period. Deer sought shelter from chilling winds, and areas occupied by deer in winter had more sheltered ground from wind, and the quality of this shelter was higher than on the areas little used. Home-range behaviour and tradition appeared to determine which areas particular deer occupied in winter. The main recommendation for management was to re-open mature woodland to provide more and better shelter on the estate in order to get more control over the deer stock and to reduce marauding.