Helping Landowners Meet Woodland Stewardship Requirements
Unmanaged deer populations can hinder woodland creation, restocking, natural regeneration, and habitat restoration through browsing, bark stripping, and trampling damage.
The Woodland Stewardship 1: Deer Control and Management (WS1) and Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: Deer Control and Management (CWS1) options provide financial support, £105 per hectare per year, to land managers where deer are identified as a risk to woodland objectives. These options are designed to support the planning and delivery of appropriate deer management, rather than prescribe a single approach.
- WS1 (Woodland Stewardship 1: Deer Control and Management) – for existing Woodland Stewardship agreements started before February 2024, supporting deer management on established woodland.
- CWS1 (Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: Deer Control and Management) – for new agreements, providing financial support and guidance for planning and implementing deer management on eligible land.
At CSC Deer Management, we assist landowners and woodland managers across Lincolnshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, and surrounding counties with the creation and implementation of Deer Management Plans (DMPs) and the practical delivery of deer management in line with WS1 and CWS1 objectives.
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How We Support WS1 & CWS1
We work closely with landowners and woodland managers to provide practical, legal, and humane deer management that aligns with scheme objectives:
- Assessment of deer activity and impact
Identifying species present, activity levels, and risk to woodland, crops, or priority habitats. - Deer Management Plan (DMP)/ Species Management Plan creation
We can produce a site-specific DMP/SMP using the official guide, tailored to your land and species present. - Implementation of the management plan(s)
Helping carry out agreed deer management actions safely, legally, and humanely. - Monitoring and review
Supporting ongoing assessment to demonstrate deer pressure is being managed effectively over time.
Eligible Land
The CWS1 option can be applied to a wide range of land where deer are causing harm to priority habitats or species. This includes areas with:
- Native or naturalised deer (European roe deer, red deer, fallow deer).
- Invasive non-native deer (Chinese water deer, Reeves muntjac, sika).
Eligible land types include:
- Arable land, temporary or permanent grassland, and land lying fallow.
- Woodland, scrub, and newly created or restored habitat areas.
- Short rotation coppice, permanent crops, and nursery crops.
- Coastal habitats such as cliffs, sand dunes, salt marsh, and reed beds.
- Wetlands, ponds, rivers, and other inland water features.
- Heathland, bracken, and other natural features.
- Recreational land such as golf courses and tracks.
This broad coverage means CWS1 can support deer management on almost any land type where deer threaten habitat, crops, or biodiversity objectives.
CWS1 actions are usually linked to a habitat creation or management activity, and approval from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission officer is required if deer management is undertaken independently.
WS1 & CWS1 Financial Support
Under WS1 and CWS1, land managers may receive annual payments of approximately £105 per hectare as part of a Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement. These payments are intended to support the planning, delivery, and monitoring of deer management activities to protect woodland, habitats, and other priority areas.
Our role is to assist with delivery, compliance, and management plan implementation, helping ensure woodland and habitat objectives are met effectively in line with WS1 and CWS1 requirements.
How We Support WS1 Compliance
Our role is to support and assist, ensuring deer management is practical, proportionate, and aligned with scheme guidance. We can help with:
- Assessment of deer activity and impact
Identifying species present, activity levels, and potential risks to woodland, crops, or priority habitats. - Deer Management Plan (DMP) / Species Management Plan (SMP) creation
Producing a site-specific management plan using the official DMP/SMP Guide, tailored to your land, habitats, and species present. - Implementation of the management plan
Carrying out agreed deer management actions safely, legally, and humanely, ensuring minimal disruption to your land and operations. - Monitoring and review
Supporting ongoing assessment to demonstrate that deer pressure is being managed effectively over time, and updating plans as required.
This consolidated approach ensures all WS1 and CWS1 compliance requirements are met, while providing a practical, cost-effective solution for protecting your woodland, crops, and priority habitats
Lincolnshire Deer Management & Wildlife Control 