Deer group locations and sizes are used in assessing deer populations living on the ‘open range’. ‘Open range’ generally means open areas of habitat used mainly by red deer (for example, heather moorland). From the outset it is important to be clear that although the terms ‘count’ or ‘census’ are used, open range counting enables a population estimate to be made, but with associated error margins. Research has shown that, normally, estimates will vary by between 5 and 16%. In other words if you count 415 deer then the population estimate is at best between 348 and 481 (or at very best between 394 and 435). Open range population counts (and their resulting estimates) are therefore most likely to be useful for setting broad targets or giving an index of deer numbers as opposed to very precise population models. They are also useful for indicating trends in a series of counts.

Count information can be obtained by joining table DEER_COUNT_INDEX based on COUNT_ID columns. Both Helicopter and ground counts are included in the data. The majority of the data were collected in ‘white ground’ conditions where the contrast between deer and the background of snow is maximised enabling deer to be more easily spotted. Summer counts of 'Priority' sites are also included where sites have been counted more intensively.