I would say that the increase in deer numbers is more due to people buying up land to keep horses on, around the new forest I have seen great tracks of land that used to be stalked out of bounds now as it is owned by horse owners or people who have moved into the countryside and think shooting is cruel.
Minimum training standard??
- Thread starter Shabz
- Start date
Si
Well-Known Member
Good point, that's what's happened here... I spotted a few roe in a field and made some enquiries into who owns the land, only to be told "you can't shoot the deer, they've got babies"
My email to SNH
Dear Sir/Madam
I wonder if you could shed some light on rumours that I have heard recently with regards to the possibility of compulsory training for those who wish to stalk deer in Scotland.
Is it true that by 2014, depending on voluntary uptake levels, that a compulsory training standard will be set for those wishing to kill deer in Scotland? What will this standard be? Assuming that these rumours are true, on what grounds will this be introduced? Are there deer welfare issues in Scotland that I'm unaware of? Are there unacceptable levels of accidents involving firearms?
Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely
Craig Armstrong
Dear Sir/Madam
I wonder if you could shed some light on rumours that I have heard recently with regards to the possibility of compulsory training for those who wish to stalk deer in Scotland.
Is it true that by 2014, depending on voluntary uptake levels, that a compulsory training standard will be set for those wishing to kill deer in Scotland? What will this standard be? Assuming that these rumours are true, on what grounds will this be introduced? Are there deer welfare issues in Scotland that I'm unaware of? Are there unacceptable levels of accidents involving firearms?
Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely
Craig Armstrong
The reply
Dear Craig,
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the review of levels of competence of those who shoot deer in Scotland.
The Wildlife and Natural Environment Act 2011 introduced a requirement for SNH to carry out a review of the levels of competence among those who shoot deer in Scotland, and the effect of such levels of competence on deer welfare. *The Act also gave Scottish Ministers the ability to establish a register of persons competent to shoot deer in Scotland. The review will be undertaken in 2014.
The voluntary uptake of competence is being promoted by an industry working group membership of which includes BASC, BDS, SGA and SLE. This working group have decided that DSC level 1 or equivalent is adequate to demonstrate competence.
SNH will carry out a review in 2014 that will look at the number of people stalking unsupervised and what effect this is having on deer welfare. *
Whilst the new legislation allows for the establishment and operation of a register of persons competent to shoot deer in Scotland any implementation of such a measure would require the legislation to be enacted by Scottish Ministers. If post 2014 this was the intention of Ministers it would follow a period of consultation.
I hope that this is helpful.
Kind Regards
Dear Craig,
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the review of levels of competence of those who shoot deer in Scotland.
The Wildlife and Natural Environment Act 2011 introduced a requirement for SNH to carry out a review of the levels of competence among those who shoot deer in Scotland, and the effect of such levels of competence on deer welfare. *The Act also gave Scottish Ministers the ability to establish a register of persons competent to shoot deer in Scotland. The review will be undertaken in 2014.
The voluntary uptake of competence is being promoted by an industry working group membership of which includes BASC, BDS, SGA and SLE. This working group have decided that DSC level 1 or equivalent is adequate to demonstrate competence.
SNH will carry out a review in 2014 that will look at the number of people stalking unsupervised and what effect this is having on deer welfare. *
Whilst the new legislation allows for the establishment and operation of a register of persons competent to shoot deer in Scotland any implementation of such a measure would require the legislation to be enacted by Scottish Ministers. If post 2014 this was the intention of Ministers it would follow a period of consultation.
I hope that this is helpful.
Kind Regards
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Well guys whilst I'm anti enforcement of the DSC1 I was asked today by a guy at work if there was any problem with him shooting deer with his crossbow... from his porch... with "wooden arrows I sharpened with a pencil sharpener"... clearly one end of the spectrum but does prove there's a certain level of idiocy out there that has to be controlled somehow!
I think the mentor system is good, or the DSC1 as an option if you can't find a mentor - I think everyone benefits from an experienced mentor of some sort and I'm not sure I'd have eaten safe meat had I not been shown how to properly gralloch a deer (having only done rabbits and possums before!).
Having said this do stalkers not qualify as mentors (albeit paid) - how about no mandatory training but inexperienced shooters must go on a minimum of x number of stalks with a professional/trained individual before being allowed to go unaccompanied?
I think if the police want to enforce training then they should pay for the courses themselves... though that will probably just go full circle and mean higher taxes or licence fees!
Also, on stalks I've looked at in scotland they've all required DSC1 as a minimum anyway?!
I think the mentor system is good, or the DSC1 as an option if you can't find a mentor - I think everyone benefits from an experienced mentor of some sort and I'm not sure I'd have eaten safe meat had I not been shown how to properly gralloch a deer (having only done rabbits and possums before!).
Having said this do stalkers not qualify as mentors (albeit paid) - how about no mandatory training but inexperienced shooters must go on a minimum of x number of stalks with a professional/trained individual before being allowed to go unaccompanied?
I think if the police want to enforce training then they should pay for the courses themselves... though that will probably just go full circle and mean higher taxes or licence fees!
Also, on stalks I've looked at in scotland they've all required DSC1 as a minimum anyway?!
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