Park visitors warned to ‘steer clear of deer’ during the rut

The Royal Parks has joined forces with the RSPCA and the British Deer Society to launch a safety campaign ahead of the autumn rut, warning visitors about the serious dangers of getting too close to deer.

The rut is now underway in Richmond Park and Bushy Park, when stags compete to mate with females. Rising testosterone levels can make them especially unpredictable, less tolerant, and potentially aggressive. Rutting deer can be impressive to witness, but visitors should remember that these are large, powerful wild animals: stags can weigh more than 150kg and run at speeds of up to around 40mph.

The joint safety campaign follows a serious incident in Richmond Park in August, when a stag attacked a man after approaching his picnic. The stag was subsequently put down after he was deemed to have learned to associate people with food, creating a danger to visitors, and making the behaviour unlikely to change.     

It is forbidden to feed deer in the Royal Parks, but this summer, numerous highly concerning videos of people approaching and feeding deer circulated on social media. The deer can find all the food that they need naturally; unsuitable foodstuffs fed to them by visitors may damage their specially adapted digestive systems and have been known to cause death. Feeding can also cause deer to lose their natural wariness and associate people with food, making them more likely to approach visitors, which could cause a serious incident leading to injury or even death.

Staying safe around deer

During the deer rutting season, which runs from September to November, visitors to Richmond Park and Bushy Park are reminded to:

• Keep at least 50 metres away from deer.
• Never feed deer, even if they approach you or appear to be seeking food.
• Always keep dogs on a lead and at least 50m from deer. During the rut, walk them elsewhere to avoid confrontation with deer that may see them as a threat.
• Never approach, touch or attempt to photograph a deer at close range.
• Never place yourself between deer, particularly during the rut.
• Move away calmly from approaching deer, giving the plenty of space. Use a solid obstacle (e.g. a tree) as a barrier if it shows threatening behaviour.
• Do not block a deer’s path or try to make it move.
• Follow signs and instructions from The Royal Parks staff and Volunteer Rangers.

Paul Richards, Richmond Park Manager at The Royal Parks, said:

“We want everyone to enjoy the spectacle and privilege of seeing the deer during the rut. But they are wild animals and can become aggressive and unpredictable during this season. It is critical that people keep at least 50m away from deer to avoid spooking them. There is a very real risk that if the deer become stressed, someone too close by could get seriously hurt or even killed.
“The safest way to enjoy deer is always to observe them from a distance, keep dogs on leads or walk them elsewhere during the rut and never feed them. The message is clear: stay safe during the rut; ‘steer clear of deer’.”

Kate Allberry, Scientific and Policy Manager at the RSPCA, said:

“The autumn rut is an important part of a deer’s life, and it can be fascinating to witness. But it’s important to remember that deer are wild animals, and to give them the space they need to behave naturally.
“Feeding or approaching deer can affect this natural behaviour, not only risking causing them stress, but it can also cause them to become less wary of people and associate us with food. This can put both deer and people at greater risk, and in some cases, can have tragic consequences for animals.
“By appreciating wild animals from a safe distance, people can help protect their welfare while also keeping themselves and others safe.”

Charles Smith-Jones, Technical Adviser to the British Deer Society, said:

"While some deer may appear calm around people, they remain wild animals and can react unpredictably if they feel threatened or pressured. Approaching deer too closely, attempting to touch them, or encouraging them to take food from your hand can put both people and deer at risk. 
“Getting too close to rutting animals may not only put people at risk but can also disrupt or even halt natural behaviour at a time that is crucial to the deer’s reproductive cycle and well-being. We would always encourage people to enjoy these remarkable animals from a distance and give them the space they need to behave naturally."

Experts from the British Deer Society will have an engagement stand in Richmond Park on 11 October 2026*, alongside The Royal Parks Volunteer Rangers, to speak with visitors about deer behaviour, the autumn rut and how people can safely enjoy the park alongside these wild animals.