LDNS Still Operating?

[@theroedeerguy]

Back in March this year I paid £10 to become a member of the Lowland Deer Network Scotland, as much as to be kept aware of any deer management news or updates in the Central belt.

Since then I have had absolutely no contact or confirmation from the Lowland Deer Network.

Is anyone aware if they are still active and what are the benefits of joining?

 

[GWP]

Benefits go to Lowland deer network

 

[David Barker]

Yes the LDNS is still running and i have been told that Colin Sheddon has retired out of the chairman's chair and been replaced by Jon Bruce. The funders (NATURESCOT FLS ROADNETWORK) still pay a small amount in and it is now £20 for a life time membership. I will not be joining as i feel that paying £20 just so the government agencies can say they connect with the lowland deer managers is way to much. They should pay us to join,

 

[gixer1]

Yes the LDNS is still running and i have been told that Colin Sheddon has retired out of the chairman's chair and been replaced by Jon Bruce. The funders (NATURESCOT FLS ROADNETWORK) still pay a small amount in and it is now £20 for a life time membership. I will not be joining as i feel that paying £20 just so the government agencies can say they connect with the lowland deer managers is way to much. They should pay us to join,

If Sheddons was involved there won’t be much done or info given….

 

[alasdair]

Yes, LDNS is still running!

LDNS held 3 x Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment demonstration/training days in April '23 (organised by John Bruce - free to attend!- they were excellent!)

At the last executive meeting in May '23 Colin Shedden announced his retirement as Chair of LDNS and John Bruce was asked to take on (interim) Chair, when Colin retires in July.
The process of handing over to the new Chair is in hand with updating of contact details, mailing lists etc.,

I understand there will be general meeting arranged soon to review the last year, consider the work plans for next year and to bring in another person to the committee to keep its spread wide and to contribute to the management, there will also be an opportunity to discuss topical issues.

Current topical issues being discussed include:

• Report 1312 - Review of the minimum bullet weight for the lawful culling of all deer species in Scotland
• Report 1311 - Study to determine deer welfare issues relating to use of image intensifying rifle sights for the culling of deer at night
• continuing discussion about feasibility of providing "community larders"

Anyone who has subscribed should be on the e-mailing list for notification of events, meetings etc.,

The website is in need of up-dating, contact details, further events etc., - hopefully that will happen soon.

I would suggest that notification of future meetings, events etc., could usefully be posted on this forum (SD).


Alasdair (South Lanarkshire)

 

[User00040]

continuing discussion about feasibility of providing "community larders"

Community/open larders... sounds like an open relationship but with only the 'depositors' receiving a benefit, and the 'receiver' cleaning up the subsequent mess... (and then they are supposed to pay up as well ?!)

 

[David Barker]

Alasdair i thin k you will find that these bullet points are being dealt with in house eg Government department,s FLS and Naturescot. There is no need for LDNS to look at this as the funders are also at the table. I also think your term committee to be a bit flippant. What Committee?

• Report 1312 - Review of the minimum bullet weight for the lawful culling of all deer species in Scotland
• Report 1311 - Study to determine deer welfare issues relating to use of image intensifying rifle sights for the culling of deer at night

 

[Hayduke]

Report 1311 - study on night culling with thermal sights worth a look.

Of 134 deer where shot strike was recorded, nearly 10% mis-shot (8 high, 4 gut).

Makes a snobby point in the conclusion about professional stalkers vs ‘recreational’ stalkers:

“It must be borne in mind that the present study was carried out by professional, highly trained deer stalkers and NOT recreational stalkers . . . . . . “

Us and them BS.
I know a fair few amateur, part time, recreational, stalkers and deer managers, whatever you want to call us, who’s marksmanship, field craft, deer knowledge, lardering, is every bit as good as the pros and a few of them probably better!

 

[David Barker]

Everyone who paid to be members of the old LDNS should by now have received a full refund. The new LDNS will be on line in the form of a zoom meeting. Nature.scot have paid £10.000 for Admin costs. As far as i know FLS and the Roads have backed off from the new LDNS.


David