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SCA Policy on Red Deer Managment
Managing red deer populations to attain balance with their habitat
INTRODUCTION
The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) has just under 10,000 members. There are a further 90,000 members of the Countryside Alliance in England, Wales and elsewhere. A substantial number of these members are people who regularly take part in country sports, including deer stalking, and in doing so, they will inevitably spend money which directly benefits the local economy in the upland areas of Scotland.
Many SCA members may be land managers or owners on whose ground red deer populations have a direct impact. The SCA also strives to represent the views of its members, tourists and the public who may have no direct relationship with red deer but value its status as a national icon of Scotland.
BACKGROUND
The SCA recognises that varied land use, topography and habitat requirements has lead to land and wildlife managers having many different approaches to deer management. There are areas where the impact of red deer on the landscape is acceptable and those where concentrated populations of deer have caused problems. For example: deer can cause traffic accidents; heavy grazing can cause vegetation damage, and the role of deer as tick carriers is a particular cause for concern on grouse moors. The impact of deer on a particular area is influenced by a number of factors, not just herd size. These include vegetation cover and the prevalent weather conditions. In some areas of Scotland, where deer impact is judged to be excessively negative, deer may need to be culled more heavily than in areas where the deer population is less problematic.
Hill red deer and traditional methods of managing/stalking them, are unique to Scotland and are a part of Scotland’s international brand image. The health of the national herd and animal welfare issues are therefore of paramount importance. The habitat of red deer - open heather hill - is itself a valued landscape and EU designated habitat, with historical and cultural resonance around the world underpinning part of the tourist industry. Grazing deer play an important role in maintaining an open moorland habitat and preventing scrub incursion. The UK has 75% of the world’s heather moorland, most of which is in Scotland. Because of its global importance, much of our moorland carries statutory national and international conservation designations (SSSI, SAC etc). A drastic cull of deer across their whole range could result in widespread conversion of heather moor to scrub and may compromise these conservation designations.
The income generated by deer stalking is a mainstay of fragile local economies in many upland areas. This must not be jeopardised by the reduction of the red deer to the status of vermin.
The SCA believes the aim of deer population management should be to ensure healthy herds of hill deer in balance with the environment, whilst meeting the needs of local and neighbouring land users
SCA POLICY
The SCA calls for independent and accurate assessment of deer numbers and trends. This should be built ”bottom up” using counts by stalkers on the ground, and not by extrapolation from flawed and out of date data. Deer practitioners must be fully involved in the research, and their experience acknowledged. Examples of best deer management practice from within Scotland and abroad must be discussed when looking to manage “problem” deer on a local scale. Similarly, there must be a pragmatic assessment of any damage, balanced with the benefits that deer bring to a local area.
Deer impact which is acceptable in the wider landscape may not be appropriate over SSSI’s, especially those where it is desirable to generate Caledonian pine forest. In specific areas where there is a habitat aim, eg woodland generation, deer may only be accepted at lower than average densities, if at all. Properly planned and marked fencing of such areas should be considered, especially if surrounding land uses require deer populations of above minimal levels. Any fences erected should have crossing points for walkers and be marked in accordance with GCT guidelines, to minimise bird strike.
Where traffic accidents have regularly occurred, localised culling to reduce overall deer densities may, in some cases have a role to play, but localised fencing of black spots and notices to encourage motorists to drive more responsibly should also be considered. Deer Managers should never encourage deer to congregate near roads in large numbers by supplementary feeding or other measures. The SCA would like to see local highways departments erect more signs to warn drivers and issue leaflets and posters to educate them that deer may be a hazard in certain rural areas. Locally based stalkers are essential for the tracking and humane killing of deer that have been injured by cars.
Deer Management Groups should agree local deer densities appropriate to each land holding in their area, and set a cull target to achieve this is if necessary. Culling should be carried out in a humane manner which is also visually discreet. Recreational deer stalking is a perfectly acceptable rural pursuit and brings in valuable income to rural areas. However all shooting of deer should be carried out by, or be closely supervised by, experienced and qualified local stalkers. Every effort should be made to ensure that culls are carried out within the legally established seasons and that the venison is of best quality to enter the food chain.
Training courses, including food hygiene in accordance with forthcoming EC legislation, should be readily available and affordable. This will help to ensure that local areas have the necessary number of certified stalkers now and in the future.
Our heather moorland must be managed in a manner that preserves its appearance and its unique wildlife, particularly rare waders and grouse species. Efforts must be made to stimulate the market for wild venison from Scotland.
The Scottish Executive should commission a study to calculate the benefits that Stalking brings to the local and national economies of Scotland.
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