LANDOWNERS from across Devon are being invited to the county’s first-ever Devon Deer Forum, a new event aimed at sharing knowledge, practical expertise and solutions to the growing challenge of deer management.

The free forum will take place at Embercombe, Higher Ashton, on Monday, September 14, bringing together landowners, deer managers, ecologists, forestry representatives and other specialists for an afternoon focused on making deer management more effective and sustainable.

Organised by the Devon Agri-Tech Alliance (DATA) and hosted by the DEFRA-funded Teign Valley Facilitation Fund, the event has been designed for landowners who want to understand more about deer management and its increasing importance, as well as those looking to improve existing management on their land.

The four-hour event will feature a series of short talks followed by a question-and-answer session with speakers from across the deer management and land management sectors.

Speakers include Elliott Fairs, lead of the Teign Valley Facilitation Fund and Teign Valley Deer Management Group; Sharif Adams, chair of the British Deer Society South-West Branch and owner of Affinity Deer Management; Andy Gray, owner of MC Kelly’s, the largest deer processor in the South-West; and Tristan Miles, deer manager at Perridge Estate in Devon.

The forum will also provide practical demonstrations and opportunities for landowners to explore new approaches to monitoring and managing deer impacts.

Drone operators, Dartmoor UAV Services, will demonstrate technology that can help landowners assess deer impacts, while ecological consultants Tadorna will discuss Herbivore Impact Assessments and scientific survey methods.

The event will also highlight the role of venison and public engagement in deer management, with Exmoor Game School showcasing its mobile butchery sessions, which are used to teach both children and adults about venison and the journey from field to plate.

There will also be information on funding and data collection, with FieldLog expected to demonstrate its mobile app for recording field data and statistics used to support applications for the Deer Management Grant from the Forestry Commission.

Forestry Commission representatives are also expected to discuss grants currently available to support deer management.

Organisers hope the inaugural forum will provide the foundation for further events and opportunities for landowners to access specialist advice and practical support.

A selection of Teign Valley venison-inspired food will be available during the afternoon, alongside refreshments.

The first Devon Deer Forum runs from 1pm to 5pm on September 14 at Embercombe, Higher Ashton, Devon, EX6 7QQ.

The workshop is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Devon & Torbay Combined County Authority.