Wild deer are protected by law but due to the large number of vehicle collisions involving deer every year and the damage they cause to crops, land and fencing, their population is legally and humanely culled regularly.

Culls are managed by Deer Management Groups. The Office of Public Sector Information website holds more detailed information about the Deer Act 1991.

The Act allows authorised people, in certain circumstances, to shoot deer if they are causing damage. However all wild deer except Muntjac and Chinese Water deer are protected by a close season when the animals must not be shot.

'The Deer Initiative' is very concerned at the number of road traffic accidents caused by deer. They have set up a project to gain a full picture of the extent of the problem and are recording the number of accidents involving deer in the UK. They need the public to help them with their research so if you have been involved in a collision with a deer, you can tell them about it on their website 'The Deer Collisions Project'.