Context . Human activities can induce behavioural and stress responses in wild animals. Information is scarce on the effects of culling on anti-predator behaviour and endogenous stress response of wild ungulates.

Aims . In a Mediterranean area, we evaluated the effects of culling on vigilance, foraging and endogenous stress response of female fallow deer (Dama dama).

Methods . Effects of culling were evaluated through behavioural observations and hormone analyses of faecal samples.

Key results . In an area where culling occurred (C), individuals showed significantly greater vigilance rates and foraged closer to wood than in an area with no culling (NC). In C, 24 h after culling, faecal cortisol concentrations were greater than those recorded in NC, but they decreased significantly to values comparable to (48 h post-shot) and lower than (72 h post-shot) those observed in NC.

Conclusions . Most likely, culling determined behavioural responses in female fallow deer, but did not trigger long-term physiological effects.

Implications . Increased anti-predator behaviour may complicate the implementation of long-term culling programs.