I CAN assure Cllr Leech that deer have been 'running through the area' of the Deer Park woods, not just for 'the last few years' but for hundreds of years.
I've been in Okehampton for 30 years now and have seen roe in the park, around the castle and on the golf course crossing the railway through the old fences up into Fitz's Piece (before the dual carriageway was constructed) and in Simmons's Park even, if you look, there are the 'slots' — footprints — to be seen in wet weather.
Last October, out early in New Road with the dog, I met one coming towards me on the pavement! It leapt up onto the high bank opposite and disappeared towards Prospect.
Roe are all around Okehampton. I've even seen a buck chasing a doe, oblivious to us, early one morning around the rugby pitch! Best of all, one year I almost walked into a red hind and her yearling fawn in Ashbury woods. For a moment I thought 'whatever are two donkeys doing here?' when they turned and jumped up into the conifers.
But you must be an early riser to see deer.
Juanita Casey
3 The Glen
Okehampton