“Let’s start a Conversation about Conservation”

People, passion and place we believe are what local produce is all about. Our family business producing Wild Venison from Dartmoor is a way of life for us, not a job. It involves our whole family and connects us very closely to Dartmoor and the local communities around us. Producing the finest quality Dartmoor Wild Venison follows our philosophy which is simple, old fashioned, tried and tested.
The links between sustainable land management, great food and a community that understands local producers are embedded in both Dartmoor and Devon’s history. However, it’s fair to say that some may have been forgotten over the last few decades.
Our aim is to inspire our local communities to revert to simpler ways of sourcing their food where they take the time to talk to and understand their local producers. By starting a conversation about conservation we believe that our communities can establish a long lasting and substantial beneficial effect on biodiversity through agriculture not only in Devon but across the British countryside.

Ethical Meat from Dartmoor

Wild Venison is arguably the best example of a high welfare, sustainable and ethically sourced red meat. It is offered directly from deer management programmes carried out in and around the woodlands and forests of the Devon countryside to increase biodiversity and maintain the quality and structure within the resident deer populations.
The free ranging life of the Wild Deer of Dartmoor provides them with the very best variety of seasonal forage, and through this the venison develops a depth of flavour unlike any other red meat. Wild Venison is virtually fat free, very low in cholesterol and incredibly healthy. Choosing this ethical meat is as good for you as it is for the environment.

Professional Deer Management and Consultancy

As professional deer managers we constantly work towards the goal of restoring Devon’s deer populations to a level where the development of a sustainable and natural biodiversity within our woodlands and countryside occurs naturally, without the necessity for human intervention. On occasions the management plans dictate the culling of selected deer in order to ensure that their impact on the ecosystem is at a level that permits biodiversity. Over grazing of groundcover and woodland glades, and the continual browsing of tree saplings, hedgerows and bushes by deer has a substantial negative effect on plant, insect, mammal and bird biodiversity.

Due to the significant increase in our deer population over recent years (we now have more deer in the UK than we had 1,000 years ago) we are faced with a very serious conservation issue regarding the future welfare of our countryside. Here on Dartmoor we have a wide range of habitats that we must protect and conserve, from ancient oak woodland through to open moorland and it’s adjoining farmland. The burden of wear and tear and in some cases serious damage to these habitats is shared by landowners, farmers and foresters alike. By the very nature of the deer population’s daily and seasonal movements they can cause significant problems across the whole landscape.
Where necessary the deer are culled in the field with a rifle. The deer are selected in accordance with the deer management plan. In most cases this is based on an agreed population reduction, however we also have to ensure that the correct structure and balance of the herd is maintained in order to allow their “natural processes” to happen. The correct balance of the sexes, and the maintenance of a balanced age structure within the local herd and the greater population will go a significant way to ensuring that our wild deer population can maintain itself in excellent condition.

Professional Deer Management Enquiries – Contact – 07837 584 223
The quality of our end product starts with the management we undertake in the field and is the result of years of experience managing wild deer populations professionally with both respect for the deer and responsibility for the environment. Taking our time to watch the animals, understand the environment and talk to our customers if the foundation of everything we do whilst “raising the game” here on Dartmoor.

Dry Aged Dartmoor Venison

With 20 years of experience supplying wild venison into professional kitchens we understand exactly the level of service, consistency and quality chefs require from their suppliers. Here at Wild Hart Venison we carry out the whole process ourselves from wild deer management through to traditional butchery and delivery. Our Dartmoor Dry aged venison Is something really special in that it’s been harvested , Dry aged and prepared on Dartmoor. The unique climate and provenance of our wild venison gives chefs a nostalgic taste of Devon and Dartmoor of which we are all so proud. If your looking to source the finest wild venison available consistently and with a level of service you can rely on choose Dartmoor Dry aged venison where “experience is the difference”.
We offer a full range of Dry aged wild venison for chefs with cuts both on and off the bone through to fully prepared and processed options to cut down the preparation and storage requirements in your kitchen.
We offer a free delivery service to all our catering customers wether in Devon or nationwide.
Please contact us to discuss any bespoke requirements or for more information on any of our services.