Deer Management

Category: Deer Management

Delivered by: Deer Commission for Scotland

The management of deer in Scotland is carried out by various groups using various different methods. The Deer Commission for Scotland uses a range of regulatory provisions set down in the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 to further its remit. Below is a list and an explanation of different deer management methods.

Stalking

• Stalking is the act of tracking prey; silently, without the animal being aware of your presence, to kill the animal humanely and effectively
• A crucial part of the role involves the careful management of deer populations to identify unhealthy stock - deer suffering from disease, malnourishment, and injury
• This helps to maintain a healthy population and ensures the number of deer meets sporting requirements and can be maintained by the natural environment.

Team Culling

• Team culling is beneficial when deer densities are high and/or deer move regularly over a large area, from one area of land to another.
• Stalkers employed in these different areas can benefit if team culling is used, with resources shared and the task of culling divided among a larger group or team.

Fencing

• Scotland deer fencing has been used as a tool to manage deer densities and movement
• The purpose of a deer fence is to produce some form of benefit, whether in terms of managing grazing or reducing the threat to public safety - benefits which might also be delivered through culling.