I have a natural suspicion regarding most newspaper reporting. Most of us won't know all the facts of the case - we base our opinions on what we read in the news reports. Personally I think this has all the makings of a PR disaster for the Trust, but before we all get worked up by the reporting in the Currant Bun, why not take the time to read their full policy on Deer Control:
http://www.jmt.org/policy-deer-control.asp
If you took out the one about leaving culled deer on the hill, most of us would probably agree with the remainder.
Also, note that their standard policy is to leave
at least 5% of culled deer on the hill for the benefit of other wildlife. The reasons they give are as follows:
• If it is uneconomic to retrieve them
• If extraction is likely to have a significant detrimental impact on the environment (e.g. where ATV use will damage habitats)
• Where there are health and safety issues (e.g. too dangerous or physically difficult for staff to hand extract)
• If there are legal issues which impede extraction
• If the carcass is in poor condition (e.g. badly shot or damaged through falling down hill)
• If any SRDP schemes recommend leaving carcasses on the hill for eagles.
Let me say again that I don't personally agree with the practice, but at least they are open and honest about why they do it. I'd be interested to know what the total cull number was, to get an idea as to what percentage 40 beasts really represents.
This leads me to think about our objections.
Hopefully we all agree that, when shooting a deer, we should have respect for our quarry. For me, part of that respect is that I make use of the carcase by butchering it and eating it. If I didn't I'd go and shoot targets.
But if leaving the carcase in situ is going to benefit the broader environment, is that necessarily wrong?
Or is rather that we selfishly object to the fact that this news is bringing stalking into the public spotlight again?
I also note that they avoid, wherever possible, deer fences and the use of AGV's for deer extraction, and they object to the use of lead ammunition.
Just my humble opinion.
willie_gunn