Over the past three months, four deer have been found dead or badly injured near Felley and the Moorgreen Reservoir after being shot with what is believed to have been a low calibre .22 rifle.

Police suspect the poachers are parking near the woodland before shooting at the animals. Farmers have found pools of blood, drag marks and tyre tracks, evidence that a number of other deer have been shot and taken.

Nottinghamshire Police want to hear from anyone who has information about the offenders to get in touch, or from someone who has recently been offered cuts of venison.

Beat manager, PC Paul Toon, said: "Deer poaching and other types of wildlife crime are just as serious as other criminality and this recent spate is a cause of concern for the police.

"It is thought a small group using a 4x4 vehicle have been carrying out these attacks with the view to taking the deer and selling the meat on.
"I would urge anyone with information to contact the police so these offenders can be caught immediately.

"Illegal poaching also raises concerns around public safety as many of the woods are near public footpaths."

The wild deer in the woodland are managed by professional Forestry Commission stalkers.

Tony Whyte, of Beauvale Abbey Farm, Moorgreen, has found a number of dead deer in woods on his land. He said: "The offenders doing this have been using a small calibre rifle, which is injuring deer but leaving them to suffer a slow agonising death.

"Heavily pregnant females are being shot along with any other, which might be thought to be an easy target."

Officers are also appealing for information about off-road bikers, who have been using land near to the woodland without permission.

PC Toon added: "These illegal off road bikes are causing damage to farmland and fencing and causing the deer to panic and injure themselves and consequently are having to be put down."

Anyone with information should call Notts Police on 0115 967 0999.