Sika deer in East Lothian and lower Tweed

[David Barker]

Why is it nice that this non native species is spreading?

In my opinion they are the nicest eating and they are perfect to handle. None native does that matter any more gov departments are now only concentrating on reds and a few roe. Plus i have a wee bit shooting in coal burn.

 

[David Barker]

To the West of the M74?

Yes and quite a few have turned up at my butchers place hopefully i will be putting a few in over the next couple of years.

 

[Ratel]

In my opinion they are the nicest eating and they are perfect to handle. None native does that matter any more gov departments are now only concentrating on reds and a few roe. Plus i have a wee bit shooting in coal burn.

Yes certainly the best eating. We don't have them here but glad of invasive Muntjac because they eat almost as well.

 

[NickJ]

So there’s zero tolerance to stop tick spread on the moors?

Pretty much. obviously Louping ill (that ticks carry) is a big killer of grouse.

I'd be interested in your findings on range increase. I worked in the South West of England in the early 90s and have seen the rapid spread of sika there and likewise (perhaps to a lesser degree) in the Highlands in the past 25 years.

I am the local DMG Chair here in the Forest of Bowland and conversely their range here has spread very little since the records I have were started in the 1980s. In fact, talking to some of the old boys their range here has probably constricted over the past 60 years. It's not a huge population so it could be micro factors at work of course.

 

[slider]

In my opinion they are the nicest eating and they are perfect to handle. None native does that matter any more gov departments are now only concentrating on reds and a few roe. Plus i have a wee bit shooting in coal burn.

No doubt they are the best eating and a good to stalk. I just have an aversion to promoting ( or accepting) the introduction and/or expansion on non native species. I fear for the future genetic of our native reds.

 

[Ratel]

No doubt they are the best eating and a good to stalk. I just have an aversion to promoting ( or accepting) the introduction and/or expansion on non native species. I fear for the future genetic of our native reds.

I think the Scottish govt are more of a threat than Sika to the Reds.

 

[sikastag270]

as for sika in dunbar i was there when it was shot at aitkengall at 2004 i also enjoyed eating it.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Id sell my soul to see a Sika at Aikengall

I know a hind was shot there

 

[sikastag270]

well sell your soul then it was a sika stag which had antlers balls and dick. regards robert

 

[sikastag270]

sika are in monynutt forrest whitch borders aitkengall

 

[Mungo]

I’ve seen a claim for Saltoun.

Not sure if I believe that!

 

[sikastag270]

i have the shooting on saltoun not true im afraid had the stalking on saltoun for 26 years. 75 years old not in the habit of lyiing

 

[Ranger22]

There have been rumours of Sika being in the forests round about Ettrick village for decades. Never heard of any being shot. I’ve seen Sika in Eskdalemuir forest in the 80’s, Ronnie Rose shot the first one in 87

 

[Mungo]

i have the shooting on saltoun not true im afraid had the stalking on saltoun for 26 years. 75 years old not in the habit of lyiing

I didn’t believe it! And I don’t doubt you at all.

Good mushrooms in Saltoun

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

sika are in monynutt forrest whitch borders aitkengall

I know the keepers there ? Not much forestry left now, all Wind Turbines.
No sign of Sika.

 

[sikastag270]

when i was there 25 to 10 years ago 100 per cent they were there.

 

[Rake Aboot]

There definitely no Sika anywhere at Moneynut.
And definitely not at Aikengall.

I can’t speak for 25 yrs ago.

 

[Mickeydredd]

There are certainly Sika in the Muirkirk are. FLS were shooting them on Glenbuck after they bought it about 5 or 6 years ago.

Maybe Glenbuck, but not seen any as far as the Muirkirk - Strathaven Road.

Plenty Roe and the odd Red there though.

 

[David Barker]

Maybe Glenbuck, but not seen any as far as the Muirkirk - Strathaven Road.

Plenty Roe and the odd Red there though.

I asked for the cull records off FLS and the area round Strathaven now has a good few reds, One Forest alone harvested 11 i was told. Sika still waiting for them to push north from Coal burn.

 

[Ratel]

There have been rumours of Sika being in the forests round about Ettrick village for decades. Never heard of any being shot. I’ve seen Sika in Eskdalemuir forest in the 80’s, Ronnie Rose shot the first one in 87

Yes plenty there and Ronnie's old pal Ken McArthur was asked to shoot a big Roebuck near Castlemilk. It was a Sika stag and that was in the late 70's. They were hybridising and returning from the other side of Sanquhar in the late 90's.
A big hybrid stag was shot near Wanlockhead circa 2003/4, true because I skinned it.