The annual deer culling season begins as Bushy Park announce new gate times for visitors starting from 00:01 Monday 4 September to 00:01 Wednesday 1 November.

During the next six weeks, vehicle access to the park will be stopped at 7:00pm, and pedestrian gates will close at 10:30pm Sunday to Thursday.

All gates will be unlocked between 7:30am- 8:00am, Monday- Friday. Gate access will continue as normal on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Royal Parks, which maintain Bushy Park, state: "As a member of the British Deer Society, we take deer welfare very seriously. Deer populations are actively managed to keep herds at a sustainable size, and to prevent overcrowding."

The British Deer Society and the Deer Initiative of England and Wales fully endorse humane culling as best practice in deer herd management.

A sign has been erected outside the park, informing the public that there will be no access to the grounds at night due to the presence of firearms.

The Royal Parks added: "If the herd size was not managed food would become scarce, and more animals would ultimately suffer. Without population control there would be other welfare issues such as low body fat, malnutrition and high incidence of death from exposure to cold in winter.

"It's important to understand that we only undertake humane culling for deer welfare reasons and not as a way to make money. Money raised from the sale of venison goes towards the cost of the Wildlife Officers we employ to look after the deer. The Royal Parks make no profit from keeping herds of deer in Richmond and Bushy Parks. "

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Bushy Park is home to over 320 red and fallow deer. Deer herds have played a major role in the park's history and have shaped the landscape.