Just returned from a weeks hind stalking in the Highlands of Scotland. While out stalking with an old keeper friend one day, I was told an unbelievable tale of what was happening in his locallity.
Although it takes some believing, I can assure anyone reading this thread that the source is no liar. He has a local contract deer culler who was last year payed £92.00 a head to cull as many deer as possible. Shooting any breed of deer be it female, male, or calf twentyfour seven irrespective of season. This person amassed a cull figure which earned him in total nearly £100,000 pounds of tax payers money. As this is so obscene I just had to find time to post this thread for your reactions. Anymore words about this sad state of affairs fail me.
Here's hoping these mass culls will be STOPPED before its TOO late.
GAZ
I can confirm what you've heard is correct although the correct figure was closer to 1200. A lot of which is being done out of season and with a spotlight. Certain deer forests are being shot to the point that there's hardly a deer left. This isn't only wiping out numbers in these forests but is also having a knock on effect in the surrounding areas.
Its time that SNH and FC Scotland were investigated over this on a number of issues.
Why is a night shooting licence being issued for all FC ground and not just vulnerable areas as stated in best practice?
Why are FC being allowed to shoot out of season across all their land?
Why are deer management plans being so blatantly ignored?
During times of economic hardship, why is this money being spent when it is unnecessary?
Why are contracts being issued on a 5 year basis? Due to increase in culls, hard winters how can you determine a cull figure 5 years in advance? I know these contracts can be reviewed annually but as far as I'm aware they never have been.
FC Scotland seem to be able to ignore any rules and guidance they want without fear of any repercussions. Why is this being allowed to continue? Are SNH and FC Scotland to closely linked?
In my opinion deer management in Scotland needs to be independently investigated and reviewed because some of the practices that are being allowed at the moment can't continue. I'm not saying there isn't a place for nightshooting and contract stalkers because there most definitely is, but it should be done only where it is absolutely necessary. The rules need to be more stringent on its use and somebody needs to be there to ensure that these rules are not being abused. Trees are vulnerable in their first few years and nightshooting on restocks can be the only effective method of protection but should this allow a spotlight to be used in that same forest several miles away from that particular restock? Nightshooting needs to be issued on a block by block basis.
Below is a link to the MP and MSP lists and I would urge anyone to contact their local representative to ask these questions. If its easier everyone could copy and paste from this thread and e-mail them. We could even get a definitive list of questions that need answered and draft a letter or e-mail that each individual can use if its something they feel strong enough about.
MP List
http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/
MSP List
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/177.aspx
Best practice guidance
http://www.bestpracticeguides.org.uk/reference/dcs_night.aspx