Author Topic: Hi from Essex (Read 2555 times)

T.eddie · « **on:** June 19, 2024, 02:40:26 pm »

Hi all,
My name is Tom and I'm based in Essex. I don't have a smallholding but it is part of the dream. I've joined because I have a love for the countryside and am involved in deer control within Essex. I've 2 small kids and the eldest I've started taking crayfish trapping for invasive signal crayfish in Essex.

I've achieved my deer stalkers certificate lv1 and advanced deer management aswell as beeing insured and having the relevant licence for rifles and shotguns and butcher / process deer myself.

I appreciate this isn't theain aim of this forum but if anyone in Essex or surrounding counties has an issue with deer numbers then feel free to reach out.

Rosemary · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2024, 08:58:05 am »

Welcome to TAS. Good job on the deer and the crayfish. Non-native invasive species are a scourge.

chrismahon · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2024, 09:28:18 am »

Hi Tom and welcome. I didn't realise there was a deer problem anywhere in the UK. Regarding the crayfish- can you eat them and if so, what do they taste like?

T.eddie · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2024, 10:43:40 am »

Quote from: Rosemary on June 20, 2024, 08:58:05 am

Welcome to TAS. Good job on the deer and the crayfish. Non-native invasive species are a scourge.

Thanks for the welcome, couldn't agree more re the non native so crayfish and muntjac I do try and take as many as I can. One of the farms I do it on also has roe which I keep a close eye on but give a bit of a wider berth and only take a handful a year off due to them being native as not as widespread

T.eddie · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2024, 10:52:34 am »

Quote from: chrismahon on June 20, 2024, 09:28:18 am

Hi Tom and welcome. I didn't realise there was a deer problem anywhere in the UK. Regarding the crayfish- can you eat them and if so, what do they taste like?

Thanks for the welcome as well. There has been a large boom in deer numbers across the UK for the most part since many stalkers weren't allowed to cull during covid lockdowns (not all areas i should add). It can also be quite difficult to build up a trusted reputation to be allowed onto someone's land to cull deer. For many they may not see deer as you'd be surprised how easily they can blend into the landscape. If you see many on the side of the road that's generally an indicator that there are a fair few about. There are a lot of stalkers who also wont get out often or work with the landowners to understand the level of the numbers/sexes and ultimately how many they would like on/off. The biggest thing for me is just trying to keep things sensible, I love deer they taste fantastic and can be used in anyway you'd like, roasted, curry, smoked, bbq you name it and venison would probably work well. It's also extremely good and the carbon footprint is far better getting something from the local area instead of shipping 1000s of miles

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2024, 09:32:07 am »

Welcome Tom. You are a very long way from us, which is a shame as we'd love to have someone competent harvest the occasional deer from our environs.

T.eddie · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2024, 11:33:41 am »

Quote from: SallyintNorth on June 22, 2024, 09:32:07 am

Welcome Tom. You are a very long way from us, which is a shame as we'd love to have someone competent harvest the occasional deer from our environs.

Hi Sally thanks for the welcome. Oh that is a shame indeed as I'm always looking to this in other areas so as not to impact numbers to much in one area (unless that is what the landowner has asked me to do)
If I was closer I would have jumped at the chance of helping out. Good luck finding someone