20/04/2026
A quick shout out to , who've created this very handy deer prediction app.
In addition to producing venison from our own enclosed herd of deer, we're also involved in the humane management of wild deer populations. This is essential to protect fragile ecosystems from overgrazing, minimise damage to agricultural crops and forestry, and to reduce the risk of road accidents in hotspot areas.
Planning an outing involves careful consideration of factors such as wind direction, cloud cover, rainfall, day length, moon phase etc, in an attempt to predict the likely movements of deer on a particular day, in the hope of being able to intercept them. The First Light deer app brings all of this information together into one easy-to-use resource, which simplifies planning no end.
According to the app, in the area where I was planning to stalk, the highest level of deer activity for the week was predicted to be yesterday (Sunday), at 18.49, so I decided to put the app to the test by heading out in search of a suitable animal to cull.
Sure enough, right on cue, a large group of fallow emerged from the woods and began to graze their way across open pasture.
Of course this is no substitute for good fieldcraft, and it involved a tricky bit of stalking to get within range for a safe shot to take this nice pricket.
All in all, a nice result!
Venison from this animal will be available to purchase at Denbigh Farmer's Market, on the morning of Saturday the 2nd of May.
