Norway spruce (Picea abies) is an economically important tree species in Europe, actively managed for forestry. Among the most negative biotic factors for growth and hence forest production is damage caused by wildlife, such as damages through bark stripping by red deer (Cervus elaphus). We quantified bark stripping damage on Norway spruce trees in cutting class 3 and 4 across 450 stands spanning a 400-km latitudinal range along Norway’s west coast and analysed the underlying mechanisms driving increased probability of bark stripping by red deer. A total of 74 % of tree stands had bark stripping damage. Most stands had a low percentage of damaged trees (mean = 16 % damaged trees), but 11 % of stands had over 50 % damage. The most important factor determining probability for bark stripping was broad scale red deer density, where the probability increased markedly when density reached around two harvested red deer per km2. In addition, proximity to agricultural farmland, distance from roads, site productivity, distance between twig whorls and terrain ruggedness index increased the probability of bark stripping. Our study on bark stripping on Norway spruce highlights the importance of red deer population control, but also the importance of evaluating environmental factors as well as site factors and tree characteristics in forestry planning to mitigate damages from red deer.