I heard that!. 'Blasting deer with shotguns' eh!
BBC, Deer Culling
- Thread starter Cranhill
- Start date
I've written to BBC Radio 4's Today programme making clear my disappointment that they were unable to spend more time informing their Listeners of the true scale of deer damage to woodland throughout the UK, and in particular the indisputable challenges facing Landowners and those Deerstalkers tasked with culling deer.
I went on to accept the BBC need to demonstrate impartiality in such matters c/o allowing those who object to the killing of any animal to state their case, but suggested it would be very helpful if they revisited the subject of deer management in a future programme with the focus on a;- how we have got to this position in terms of deer numbers and b;- how Government can meaningfully assist in ensuring a return to a balanced deer population.
I also set out what I consider to be the key challenge to a meaningful reduction in numbers, along with what we need to avoid if at all possible.
Unlikely they will revisit this given the current obsession with all things Epstein, but we can hope.
K
I went on to accept the BBC need to demonstrate impartiality in such matters c/o allowing those who object to the killing of any animal to state their case, but suggested it would be very helpful if they revisited the subject of deer management in a future programme with the focus on a;- how we have got to this position in terms of deer numbers and b;- how Government can meaningfully assist in ensuring a return to a balanced deer population.
I also set out what I consider to be the key challenge to a meaningful reduction in numbers, along with what we need to avoid if at all possible.
Unlikely they will revisit this given the current obsession with all things Epstein, but we can hope.
K
TringSaint
Well-Known Member
It’s a difficult one, as when I think I know people well enough to be assured that they won’t try to poke my eyes out for shooting Bambi, I will tell people what I do and I explain the need.
The vast majority get it. They might not want to do it themselves, but they understand the need and most will have venison off me.
But……. I would never post on linked in or the like about what I do as I would get a torrent of abuse. Christ, I posted on a thread last week about chicken slaughtering (the article was more based on US operations than UK ones) with my actual experience of having worked in one such place (my experience was broadly positive and the animals were treated humanely, etc) and I got abuse for that!!!
On the basis of that response just imagine if I said that I shoot deer!
IMO, until we feel safe to open up about what we do, we keep it to ourselves and all of the good that comes of managing deer never sees the light of day.
Unfortunately, as with many things in life, no matter what you say, some will think you are the devil incarnate for harming defenceless animals, no matter the reasoning or evidence behind it.
The vast majority get it. They might not want to do it themselves, but they understand the need and most will have venison off me.
But……. I would never post on linked in or the like about what I do as I would get a torrent of abuse. Christ, I posted on a thread last week about chicken slaughtering (the article was more based on US operations than UK ones) with my actual experience of having worked in one such place (my experience was broadly positive and the animals were treated humanely, etc) and I got abuse for that!!!
On the basis of that response just imagine if I said that I shoot deer!
IMO, until we feel safe to open up about what we do, we keep it to ourselves and all of the good that comes of managing deer never sees the light of day.
Unfortunately, as with many things in life, no matter what you say, some will think you are the devil incarnate for harming defenceless animals, no matter the reasoning or evidence behind it.
Well put. I had a run in with a bloke last year after I shot a deer next door to his ground. Apparently I was "sick" and why did I kill innocent animals. I was very polite despite his ignorant abuse...no matter what I said I would never change his opinion so suggested he pop back onto his ground before I was forced to call the police. Appreciate this isnt typical but left a bad taste in my mouth and I wasnt at fault...
Malxwal
Well-Known Member
The damage and other issues associated with the population aren't evenly spread though. Hares are as bad as deer in some places.
Bluey
Well-Known Member
BBC radio 2 deer deer culling debat
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
The government is involved.
It's doomed.
Vegan consultants, it's fecked.
Typical British nannyied generation of mamby pambies.
We will have to wait until frequently deaths from RTA's involving deer before they are told to shut up and butt out!
Most don't care for land owners, farming or forestry. They certainly won't get on board about culling deer.
Lad at work has had some venison off me as the others have, everyone, except that one, and their families have commented how lovely it was. The lad that hasn't commented, raised in Telford! The others, country folk.
It's doomed.
Vegan consultants, it's fecked.
Typical British nannyied generation of mamby pambies.
We will have to wait until frequently deaths from RTA's involving deer before they are told to shut up and butt out!
Most don't care for land owners, farming or forestry. They certainly won't get on board about culling deer.
Lad at work has had some venison off me as the others have, everyone, except that one, and their families have commented how lovely it was. The lad that hasn't commented, raised in Telford! The others, country folk.
Always considered this nonsense
Is it a pest ? Yes . Shoot them .
Is it a pest ? No . Leave them alone.
If you want to maintain a herd for sport meat and money ( selling stalking) admit it .
Just big rabbits that need controlling.
Ooh boo hoo deer are causing damage!!
Ok I'll shoot them .
No that's not allowed.
Makes perfect sense.
If it's brown it's down 'if' it's a pest .
Brittany boy
Well-Known Member
Should be left to a local level, if the farmer / forester wants deer removed then let a stalker on the ground. If he wants them reduced but not wiped out then let a stalker on the ground. If the farmer wants to see the deer on his ground then don’t let stalkers on. Some of my permission exclude deer , I only have roe and the farmers like to see them. If it’s down south and we are talking fallow and red doing lots of damage then let lots of stalkers on and if one farm says no then increase the stalking around that one. But outsiders should not be allowed to decide the fate of a farmer just because they are bunny huggers and don’t understand how nature and farming go hand in hand.
The problem is that deer have legs. They move. What is one man's bambi is another man's pest.
This is particularly so in fragmented landscapes such as central Scotland where roe numbers have exploded.
I shoot one relatively small area of new woodland where neither of the farming neighbours want deer controlled. I'm wasting my time to be honest as I can almost always count 20 -30 deer on the neighbouring land.
Brittany boy
Well-Known Member
I have the same problem on a couple of permissions but I’m not under any pressure to shoot the deer, it’s really just one for the freezer as and when. But if you can plant some willow and bramble that will draw them to your ground or try a salt lick. Where do all those deer lie up through the day , are there other rough areas / woods around you or are you the only bit.
BuckhurstBen
Well-Known Member
You should see the damage down here in East Sussex/Kent the Fallow do to the woodland.
There is a nearby woodland called Deer woodland, surprise surprise!
Its not difficult to pop the odd one off when they pop over the fence but its pretty much impossible to make any meaningful impact on the local population.
Brittany boy
Well-Known Member
Can you make life uncomfortable for them in deer wood, get some friendly dog walkers to tramp through it while you are waiting on your own ground. A haunch of venison every now and again and all the waste for the dog neatly bagged up might help. There’s usually some work around.
IME many farmers who express that view don't understand that they will still see deer regularly even if they have a stalker keeping the numbers steady.
I took on a piece of ground a couple of years ago. The roe population is now about 40% of what it was, the muntjac about 20%, and the farmer still sees deer all the time. The difference now is that he sends me videos of the deer via WhatsApp and asks when I can come and sort them out.
I was pointing this out to someone just the other day when they expressed support for the idea of "reintroducing" moose into the UK. A couple of statistics from Sweden re collision costs (financial and human) and population density quickly changed their mind.
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