FG16: Deer pedestrian gate

How much you’ll be paid 

 £475.44 per gate.

How this item benefits the environment

It protects trees from deer browsing and damage. It also helps you manage deer on your land.

Where you can use this item 

You can use this item as part of a Woodland Tree Health grant.

You cannot use a pedestrian deer gate with a temporary deer fence.

You can use this item either:item:

• with agreement from a Forestrytemporary Commission adviser
• within a woodland where deer fencing is the agreed method of protectionfence
• withon Countrysidehistoric Stewardshipor managementarchaeological optionfeatures, WD2:as Woodlandidentified Improvementin andyour CountrysideHistoric StewardshipEnvironment HigherFarm TierEnvironment managementRecord action CWD2: Woodland improvement(HEFER)
• as part of a Woodland Tree Health grant

You cannot use a pedestrian deer gate with a temporary deer fence. 

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• install the deer fence prior to planting any trees – you’ll need to meet Forestry Commission’s fence specifications
• ensure the gate is a minimum of 0.9 metres (m) wide – do not use the hanging posts as an end strainer
• install hanging posts following Forestry Commission’s fence specifications, and make sure they’re suitably compacted – there must be no gaps at the bottom of the gate that are wider than the mesh sizes
• maintain the gates so deer cannot enter the land until the trees no longer require protection

Hanging post dimensions must be a minimum of:

• 2.8m by 120 to 180 millimetres (mm) diameter for Red, Sika and Fallow deer
• 2.8m by 100 to 130mm for Roe and Muntjac deer

You must also use the following specifications for the height of the gate and the size of the mesh (minimum gate height (in m) and maximum mesh size (in mm)):

• Red and Sika 1.8m, 200mm by 300mm
• Fallow 1.8m, 200mm by 220mm
• Roe 1.5m, 200mm by 150mm
• Muntjac 1.5m, 80mm by 80m

When to use wooden wings for gates

You can use wooden wings to make sure the gates are deer proof for the full width of a gap where necessary. For example, where a gateway is adjacent to a ditch. These are only likely necessary where they’re already a feature of the landscape. You should make sure each wing consists of rails or fencing mesh meets Forestry Commission standards.

Evidence you must keep 

You must keep and provide on request:

• receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• any consents or permissions connected with the work

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement Holder’s guide: Woodland Tree Health grants 2025 for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements. 

Contact your local Forestry Commission adviser for more advice.