A winter's tale

The cold snap can bring its benefits as well as its challenges, says Jon Snowdon

- Jon Snowdon

We are approaching the end of the open season for all female deer in England and Wales. All except for muntjac, that is, which have no close season and can be culled beyond the end of March.

What a season it has been with the restrictions on travel through the various COVID-19 tiers and the hygiene regulations to abide by. All for a very good reason, despite the often muddled messaging, withdrawal, and reinstatement of guidance.

Some estates either preferred not to manage their deer or were unable to do so. There was the added frustration that restaurants and other outlets have been closed for much of the time. This, in turn, caused the venison market to collapse, leaving deer managers and their estates with no point of sale for their hard-earned venison. If it could be sold at all, the prices plummeted. I have two freezers full, and by the time we get through all of it, I will be roaring, would have grown antlers, long hairy ears, and will be butting the headboard. Still, every storm comes to an end; we reef the sails, batten down the hatches and hope we are all still in the boat when the calm waters arrive.

At present up in Northumberland, the high ground is covered in snow, with a dusting on the lower ground. We have had temperatures in the region of -5°C and the ground is frozen hard. Readers may recall that I often wish for snow. My mother remarked that you should be careful what you wish for, and a wish for snow and ice is always a bit of a double-edged sword.

Opportunities