Pastures and camps
Fallow deer stay calm and healthy in well-planned Karoo grassveld camps designed for shade, forage and shelter.
A Karoo grassveld mix camp brings together open veld grasses and shrubby Karoo bush, mimicking the natural countryside where fallow deer settle best. The mixture of sweetveld grasses, low shrubs and a few scattered trees gives the herd options for grazing, browsing and shelter, so they are less stressed and show natural movement through the camp. Calm deer are easier to handle, less likely to injure themselves and maintain better body condition. The right veld mix encourages healthy ruminant behaviour and keeps the herd comfortable through changing weather.
We start with a shape and size that suits the land, never too small for natural spacing but not so large that the herd drifts out of sight. Camps are fenced to legal standards for permit compliance, using strong wire mesh and predator-proof skirts where needed. We plant a base of hardy Karoo grasses like red oat, finger grass and klein buffel, interspersed with patches of spekboom and thorny Karoo bush for browse. Shade comes from existing acacias or new shade nets where trees are sparse. We monitor soil, fix erosion, and rotate herds out after heavy use to prevent bare spots. Water points are placed where deer feel safe, away from open or noisy corners. In the first spring, some patches might need re-seeding after the first rains if the mix has not taken evenly.
One of the most common mistakes is overstocking, which strips the veld and stresses the deer. Make sure to keep to your veld’s carrying capacity, especially in a strong El Niño season. Don’t forget to check that all water troughs are working before a hot spell. Watch for fence gaps after wind or heavy rain. Missed checks can let predators in or let deer wander. In spring and autumn, we walk the camps to spot any invasive weeds, eroded paths or broken shade structures. Any sudden drop in forage cover is a sign to rotate the herd or rest the land.
Seasonal maintenance keeps a Karoo grassveld camp healthy and legal:
