Snaring is used to control deer in some UK forestry contexts, causing significant welfare harms that more humane alternatives can largely replace.
Snared deer experience hours of distress, injury from struggling against the wire, and exhaustion. Non-target wildlife caught in snares may die or suffer severe injuries before discovery. The requirement for daily checking is frequently violated in practice. Given that alternative deer management through fencing and culling by trained marksmen is available, the use of snares represents an unnecessary welfare cost. Progressive restriction and phasing out of snare use is a welfare priority.