Roe deer are the UK's most widespread native deer species, living at the interface of farmland and woodland. Their welfare is affected by agricultural practices, road networks, and seasonal food availability.
Roe deer welfare in farmland settings is significantly affected by silage and hay cutting operations during June and July. Doe and fawn mortality from machinery is substantial - does lead their kids to dense vegetation including long grass and field margins, where they are hidden from predators but invisible to tractor drivers. Fitting mowers with flushing devices or conducting pre-cut searches with dogs reduces but does not eliminate this mortality. Maintaining field margin habitats provides both cover and food resources throughout the year. Road infrastructure remains a major welfare challenge, with deer-vehicle collisions causing traumatic injury and death. Deer whistles fitted to vehicles have limited efficacy; effective mitigation requires appropriate roadside vegetation management and wildlife crossing structures on major routes.