Sika deer have become firmly established in the UK following escapes from private collections, but due to their secretive nature their success has largely gone under the radar. We worked with deer manager Niall Rowantree and other experts to produce this major new series, exploring the reasons for their success, how they may shape the future of deer management in the UK, and how deer managers go about controlling them.
If you enjoy this series, you’ll love our series A Year in the Life of Red Deer
The series so far...
Episode 1 – a whistling success
In Part 1 of our major new series, A Year in the Life of Sika, deer manager Niall Rowantree explains the reasons behind their success, and why he believes they could edge out our native red deer to become Scotland’s dominant deer species.
Episode 2 – natural history
In Part 2 of our series, we delve deeper into the natural history of this mysterious deer, the physiological differences and similarities between it and its red cousin, hybridisation and what is powering its progress across the Scottish landscape.
Episode 3 – shooting by night
In Part 3, Niall Rowantree is trying to keep the sika deer off a restocked forestry plantation, with the help of paying clients. Plus, unlike recreational stalkers, Niall has a licence to shoot at night. It is not easy, and can be dangerous without the right kit and strategy. When Niall eventually gets up close to a sika stag he discovers it must have been hit by a car, but incredibly this tough creature has survived its injuries.
Podcast – The future for sika
Deer stalker and wildlife manager Niall Rowantree talks to deer biologist Professor Rory Putman about government policy on deer. Rory explains the changing populations of different deer and the rise of the sika, while reds struggle. They discuss new deer management challenges, hybridisation, rewilding, and the idea of introducing wolves and lynx to control deer, which Rory regards as fantasy.
For other ways to listen to this podcast, visit FieldsportsChannel.tv/fieldsportschannelpodcast102/
