So what do you all think? There is a balance to be struck, being a stalking forum I know we'd all like plentiful stalking but on the other hand effective deer management has to be maintained for many reasons including conservation. 12,000 deer in 15 years, is it really that excessive if they considered the numbers to be in excess of what the land could support in the first place? Total numbers falling from 3000 to the new target of 1650, almost half the number of deer. I'm just curious as to what people think, I'm a bit unclear on all this.
ATB
aliS
OK we regenerate pine forest. First question is why? We create an area of trees. Biodiversity no longer supports that type of forest. Wolves, beaver etc are history. The most valueable resource was the deer and not just for shooting. People came to see the deer. The trees may attract the botonists but I dont see caravansites to 5* hotels filling to see the lesser spotted maggot. Black grouce and caper might get back in but forestry allows too many foxes and badger as well as raptor to see much comeback,
Jim
Well if you look at the video there is not a shortage of planting already/ the regen is 15,000 hectre 37,000 acres. now probably 50% will be rock face unsuitable for growth. Natural regen will be mostly rown, birch, willow and some pine that will take 60 years to mature in style. meanwhile deer would need to be culled indefinately. Again I ask what purpose will it serve. Move it south of Lochtay where reds are not that plentyfull and you can achieve the same without the slaughter.
Jim