Greenfield Deer Management Group

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Greenfield Forest Deer Management Group

Setting the record straight.

There have been several posts recently from individuals making certain allegations and claims about Greenfield Forest and also members of the BDS
We would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight and give everyone an overview without naming names or allowing the matter to become “personal”

Some 20 years ago, a small area of forestry in southern Scotland became available; the area was near Ettrick and called Ramsaygrain / Nether Phawhope Forests. A few members of the North-West BDS Committee were at that time (as they are now) concerned, that there was limited, affordable stalking available for those new to the sport or those with limited disposable income who wished to go stalking.

The lease was secured and the management committee offered stalking to members of the BDS with Woodland Stalkers Certificate (equivalent to DSC1) and a deer legal rifle / insurance. The fees were low, just enough to cover the cost of renewing the lease and cover maintenance of high seats, on site caravan etc.
Of note, is that the BDS were offered the lease by these pioneers, but they declined – the BDS are, as we know, a charity and not solely a stalking organisation.

The Ramsay Grain DMG as it was known continued to offer cheap affordable (if difficult) stalking to members of the BDS from all branches for many years, in fact my first stalking was obtained through this scheme of which one will be eternally grateful.

It is worthy of note at this point that the members who ran the stalking did so without taking anything for themselves and were (and still are volunteers)

The scheme ran very smoothly for a number of years with hundreds of stalkers being introduced to our sport.

Approximately twelve years ago, the group were unsuccessful in renewing the lease for the Scottish forests and new ground was sought out.

That new ground turned out to be an area called Greenfield Forest, near Hawes. The area had a healthy population of Roe, some Sika and was perfect for continuing the stalking scheme – remember to offer cheap, affordable stalking to those who had none or had limited funds spare.

At around that time, the author became involved in running the forest as a committee member.

The forest was ideal, had several substantial high seats, plenty of ground hides and the DMG put in place a static caravan and chiller box container for the stalkers who visited to stay in some comfort.

The years have passed by since the first caravan, this has been changed to newer (drier) models and a healthy relationship was developed between ourselves (Greenfield DMG), the residents of the valley, the forestry management company and other agencies involved in the ecology of the area.

During that time, as one can imagine, it was not always smooth running, the conditions for attending the forest had changed slightly, in that all we asked was that a stalker has DSC1 (minimum), a deer legal rifle and suitable insurance cover ( the condition that only BDS members were allowed was removed as it was felt it excluded everyone else unfairly)

Stalkers visiting the forest were given a set of rules to abide by, a cull sheet and a species seen sheet and providing one met the criteria and had paid your daily fee, you were free to stalk anywhere within the forest area and relied upon by trust and honesty, to inform and pay for any animals shot (at current game dealer rate)

As I said, not everything was smooth running, there were instances when rules had to be imposed, such as the caravan was left in such an unclean state by one group, the next stalkers to attend had to spend a day cleaning it, another instance being that a gralloch was found dumped adjacent to a footpath and found by a dog walker and another time hard gralloch was found dumped not buried.

In all instances the culprits were barred from attending the area for periods of time.

In 2010, more serious problems started to occur;

A stalker in the company of and against the advice of another more experienced stalker, took a shot and killed a deer, which was next to a small inhabited hamlet, which led to complaints from the residents.

The stalker concerned was barred from the forest.

Another incident occurred when two stalkers attended the forest; a deer was culled, when asked at a later date if the attendance was successful, the reply was given that a fox had got the bad news.

Unfortunately for the stalker(s), concerned the cull / extraction was witnessed and when challenged (and after some rather unpleasant e-mails) the stalker eventually agreed a deer had been taken and not declared.

Again, rules had been broken and so a ban from the forest was implemented.

Included in the rules were conditions that there was to be no subletting, to prevent people making a business out of the forest, as you will recall, we do not manage the forest to make money out of it.

It came to the committee’s attention that an individual was charging people to take them stalking there.

Not only that, but on two separate occasions an individual was seen at the forest with firearm without stalking permit, in one of the two instances another person was also present with firearm without permit. This was due to the people without permits looking after (mentoring) two novice stalkers (who had permits). During the visit one of the novices was presented with “ a 300 metre” shot, which the novice declined to take.

Instead of attempting to stalk closer, the “mentor” proceeded to take a shot at and miss the deer concerned.

Again witnessed by third parties and reported to the committee. Quite rightly you will agree, those concerned were barred from the forest.

The recent events were reported to the Forestry Company, who rightly had serious concerns about the running of the forest with regards to deer management. Health and Safety being the primary concern as it being a working forest, the DMG Committee and Forest Company have a duty of care to those working within the forest and its residents.

Having unauthorised people at large with firearms, having people attending who didn’t declare deer taken and having people attending who took shots close to habitation all left the forestry company very concerned about the controls in place / booking procedures and indeed, who were allowed to attend.

In short, there were several grave breaches of the lease (committed by these few individuals) which placed the stalking of approximately 150 people in jeopardy.

It was agreed during numerous meetings between the Greenfield DMG committee and the Forestry Company that the lease was about to be rescinded if measures were not put into place and working practices changed to avoid any chance of repetition of what had occurred.

There was several months of hard work undertaken to make changes to the Forest Rules, undertake an Induction Process on site for all people wishing to stalk at the forest and a capped limit of people whom may be “on the books” as eligible to book at any one time.

We are pleased to report that since the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] September 2012, these new measures are in place, those wishing to attend and stalk at the forest now may, providing they meet the criteria (DSC1, FAC deer legal, Minimum £10,000,000 insurance and having attended an induction where they receive instruction regarding the history of the forest, health and safety, forest rules, boundaries and no shooting areas) There have been a capped limit on numbers imposed so there is now a waiting list for people wishing to be placed onto the list of those “eligible to book”

This is not a syndicate and never has been, there is no annual fee either, you meet the criteria, have an induction and providing there is space available on the eligible to book list (this is full), you may then book stalking.

The first inductions have taken place and harmony has once again returned to the forest. People know what is and importantly what is not expected of them

Despite being in some way responsible for the dramatic changes, there are some who continue to make veiled threats and muttering about being mistreated when “found out”

I say to them that they are lucky not to be answering to a court for their behaviour and at the very least, lucky to retain their firearms….we wish them well in their own stalking, wherever that may be.

This post is not personal, it is not vindictive, inflammatory and does not name names, it is however, in direct response to individuals who have voiced concerns on the internet and in particular over the “Greenfield 6” or whoever it is they wish to call themselves.

Greenfield DMG have no desire or interests in personal vendetta’s and have no interest in anything other than providing a resource (at no personal gain) to others less fortunate than them.

The stalking costs are kept deliberately low and will remain at a level sufficient to cover the annual lease and maintenance costs the DMG incur.

The DMG’s Forest Rules are imposed and actioned upon for the safety, welfare and smooth running of the forest and will remain to be so.
 
Sounds like an excellent scheme, and something I should imagine is challenging, but also very satisfying, to manage.

Shame you're so far away.
 
I've stalked this on two different occasions, the first was on a Saturday morning in 2010, which was covered in two feet of snow in January , resulting in a nice doe, and the second was for a whole day in November 2010. I can honestly say that this is perfect stalking for people with out their own ground or people who are in Scottish syndicates that can't commit to a full weekend away. Good luck with the DMG.
All the best 1995rs
 
It's an al too common occurence, when you have a group of people stalking on ground, whether it be a club or syndicate, a small few will cause some trouble. An absolute nightmare to manage and police.
Good luck in your venture, it's a pity there are not more schemes like this.
 
Good post, certainly detailed, and should help curb the rumour mill.

I have a question. The mandate seems, rather honourably, to allow novices and those with limited funds a place to stalk - great news! However, is there a time limit for those "on the books"? Surely if not then it is cheap place to stalk for a limited few and the old "dead man's shoes" rule kicks in?

Just curious.

Thanks,

Stig
 
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its a well run scheme there are deer to be found but as with everything else these days it just takes one or two people to spoil it for everybody,
rules are rules if you dont like them you dont have to go just dont spoil it for everyone else
 
Not stalked there for several years now but always had a enjoyable time and shot deer.
Oh and paid for them.
Personally i would not have been as lenient with the culprits
 
Surely if not then it is cheap place to stalk for a limited few and the old "dead man's shoes" rule kicks in?

This is the tricky balancing act I guess. Consider it another way: if you were a member of a small group of stalkers and you were pretty sure all were honest, reasonable, fair and so on then would this situation not be good for the deer and also for the stalkers involved? Now, say someone else wanted involved who it was thought might be going to sell the venison for profit (made up situation and total work of fiction and not based on anything to do with Greenfield as I know nothing about the specific circumstances there) and who was, therefore, keen to be on the ground every day shooting everything that moved would you not be keen to keep him out? On the other hand from his perspective he might view it that an elite little group had tied up all the stalking in the area and were preventing him from getting any and he might even come on here courting sympathy, and getting some no doubt.

Either way you are going to annoy someone and so I might venture to suggest that the best thing to do is manage the scheme for the welfare of the deer and of the stalkers currently involved and endure the complaints from the outside. The other option is to manage the scheme to be best for those currently not involved but looking in in which case you will almost certainly get complaints from the inside and, in the end, it is the members who pay for the lease. It is also the case that you are going to have to let everyone in and it is easy to see where that is going to end.

So, the world will always consist of those who are in the club, and those who are outside it but the advantage with this club is that if you are an honest and sensible person then it looks like there is at least the opportunity for membership. I guess that the other option is to start your own club. I know nothing about Greenfield but clearly they have been able to gain and hold on to some stalking on the basis of their planned good intentions so maybe if people are unhappy with their club and how it is run then they might consider creating one of their own?

I'm not getting at you Stig, I don't know your circumstances at all, but I'm just thinking aloud and it seems to me that although the Greenfield scheme might exclude some people it also has the potential to keep a lot of stalkers happy and give them the opportunity to stalk unaccompanied (I suspect, though am not sure from the initial post) which is something really, really difficult to get if you don't have your own ground. The down side is that I'm not a member, but then I don't own a Scottish estate either and I don't have any right to complain about that.
 
This is the tricky balancing act I guess. Consider it another way: if you were a member of a small group of stalkers and you were pretty sure all were honest, reasonable, fair and so on then would this situation not be good for the deer and also for the stalkers involved? Now, say someone else wanted involved who it was thought might be going to sell the venison for profit (made up situation and total work of fiction and not based on anything to do with Greenfield as I know nothing about the specific circumstances there) and who was, therefore, keen to be on the ground every day shooting everything that moved would you not be keen to keep him out? On the other hand from his perspective he might view it that an elite little group had tied up all the stalking in the area and were preventing him from getting any and he might even come on here courting sympathy, and getting some no doubt.

Either way you are going to annoy someone and so I might venture to suggest that the best thing to do is manage the scheme for the welfare of the deer and of the stalkers currently involved and endure the complaints from the outside. The other option is to manage the scheme to be best for those currently not involved but looking in in which case you will almost certainly get complaints from the inside and, in the end, it is the members who pay for the lease. It is also the case that you are going to have to let everyone in and it is easy to see where that is going to end.

So, the world will always consist of those who are in the club, and those who are outside it but the advantage with this club is that if you are an honest and sensible person then it looks like there is at least the opportunity for membership. I guess that the other option is to start your own club. I know nothing about Greenfield but clearly they have been able to gain and hold on to some stalking on the basis of their planned good intentions so maybe if people are unhappy with their club and how it is run then they might consider creating one of their own?

I'm not getting at you Stig, I don't know your circumstances at all, but I'm just thinking aloud and it seems to me that although the Greenfield scheme might exclude some people it also has the potential to keep a lot of stalkers happy and give them the opportunity to stalk unaccompanied (I suspect, though am not sure from the initial post) which is something really, really difficult to get if you don't have your own ground. The down side is that I'm not a member, but then I don't own a Scottish estate either and I don't have any right to complain about that.

Hi you have to be a member of the BDS and have DSL1 then its booked on a first come basis its good ground to stalk there a fair number of deer pass thro Djc
 
I'm not getting at you Stig, I don't know your circumstances at all, but I'm just thinking aloud and it seems to me that although the Greenfield scheme might exclude some people it also has the potential to keep a lot of stalkers happy and give them the opportunity to stalk unaccompanied (I suspect, though am not sure from the initial post) which is something really, really difficult to get if you don't have your own ground. The down side is that I'm not a member, but then I don't own a Scottish estate either and I don't have any right to complain about that.

No dig taken. I have a few places I can go FOC, but I also have the means to enjoy a few outings a year with a professional stalker, it's about as much as I can balance with my family...

My point was purely related to the notion that I read into the OP that this was to help novice stalkers... you're only a novice for so long, so surely improved novices should move aside and let novices take their place.

I totally agree with your point(s)... once bitten twice shy and I think keeping deer welfare top of the list, closely followed by the local population and co-tenants such as the foresters would be top of my list...
 
I think keeping deer welfare top of the list, closely followed by the local population and co-tenants such as the foresters would be top of my list...

Good point, I hadn't considered the others you list at all but of course without their support you'll not be on the lease long.
 
good post all the facts. you will always get the few who ruin it for the meny i hope the bans are for life ?.
 
Some 20 years ago, a small area of forestry in southern Scotland became available; the area was near Ettrick and called Ramsaygrain / Nether Phawhope Forests. A few members of the North-West BDS Committee were at that time (as they are now) concerned, that there was limited, affordable stalking available for those new to the sport or those with limited disposable income who wished to go stalking.

The lease was secured and the management committee offered stalking to members of the BDS with Woodland Stalkers Certificate (equivalent to DSC1) and a deer legal rifle / insurance. The fees were low, just enough to cover the cost of renewing the lease and cover maintenance of high seats, on site caravan etc.
Of note, is that the BDS were offered the lease by these pioneers, but they declined – the BDS are, as we know, a charity and not solely a stalking organisation.

The Ramsay Grain DMG as it was known continued to offer cheap affordable (if difficult) stalking to members of the BDS from all branches for many years, in fact my first stalking was obtained through this scheme of which one will be eternally grateful.

It is worthy of note at this point that the members who ran the stalking did so without taking anything for themselves and were (and still are volunteers)

The scheme ran very smoothly for a number of years with hundreds of stalkers being introduced to our sport.

Approximately twelve years ago, the group were unsuccessful in renewing the lease for the Scottish forests and new ground was sought out.

I was offered this lease when it was relinquished as I had previously sucessfully managed the deer on one of the neighbouring forests for a number of years. I was sent the cull figures which were, if I recall correctly, in the very low double figures per year. This simply didn't add up as I used to often hear several shots each day from this forest (remember the days before moderators when we all had less secrets!)

I'm afraid that the deer management situation in this area has always been very mixed up (with a few notable exceptions) and it comes as no suprise that it has ended in tears for some of those involved along the way. I know for certain that my ground was heavily poached by other 'stalkers' but I was never in the position to do anything about it.

Realistically, I think we all know that to manage deer properly in the Southern Upland forest environment is a job of work not a sporting or training opportunity, not saying that it can't be done but it is always going to be very challenging for so many reasons particularly if there is not a resident or contract stalker on the ground.

JC
 
Very good response and sounds like a super scheme that relies on honesty and integrity unfortunately there is always some that let the side down .
norma
 
Very well put some very good points. From my personal perspective . I have FAC, deer cal. rifle. BASC insurance, DSC1 and working on DSC2 and member of BDS. If I wanted to stalk over this ground who do I contact? What are my chances of getting on? And what's the cost? Or time scale on the waiting list?
Wingy
 
Thank you for the replies and responses so far.

In relation to the questions read on several posts;

It is proposed that we intend to ask those who haven't stalked on the ground for a 12 month period if they wish to remain on the grounds "eligible list" - thus allowing "new blood" in.

There is a waiting list of people who are in the background ready to step in and receive an induction, as one person drops off, another space will be filled without any favoritism.

As the question has been asked, the cost of stalking per day is £40 -that's unaccompanied stalking for those with DSC1, FAC Deer legal , £10 000 000 insurance and having successfully attended an induction.

Should you be successful during a visit, you are requested to pay game dealer rate for the carcass(s) (head, feet off and of course gralloched) one may either take the carcass for own consumption or take to a GD - the stalker pays for the carcass whatever method of disposal.

Contact via PM here should you be interested.

I would like to add that the intention of the original post was not to seek new stalkers or attract interested parties, just to dispel some rumors and myths recently posted.


Again, written without any prejudice.
 
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Hi you have to be a member of the BDS and have DSL1 then its booked on a first come basis its good ground to stalk there a fair number of deer pass thro Djc

Just to clarify, stalkers wishing to be eligible do NOT need to be BDS members. Should one wish to stalk alone the requirement is DSC1, there are several who stalk in company here who do not hold DSC qualifications and manage very well.

Bookings are indeed managed on a first come first served basis.

With regards to stalker numbers on the ground at any one time - the maximum, unless in exceptional circumstances is four people, (preferably as a group, who know each other and discuss with each other and understand clearly, where they intend to go within the forest)

Should there be separate people wishing to book the same dates, then these people are put in touch with each other beforehand in order that they may discuss and agree the areas they will stalk.
 
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