Scotland's Wild Deer Best Practice & UKDTR; Shot Reaction & Follow Up Training Days - FREE

[WildDeerBestPractice_Scot]

Wild Deer Best Practice and UK Deer Track & Recovery (UKDTR) invite you to an essential training event focused on one of the most critical – and often overlooked – aspects of ethical deer management: shot site assessment and effective recovery planning.

These free events are designed to raise standards in deer welfare by demonstrating how to correctly interpret shot site evidence, make informed decisions on follow-up, and understand if, when and how to engage specialist tracking teams.

To Book a Place: WDBP & UKDTR Training Days

• Kelso ~ 17th & 18th May
• Doune ~31st May & 1st June
• Dumfries ~ 7th & 8th June
• Dunoon ~ 21st & 22nd June

Key Elements of the day:

• Reading the Shot Site – What blood, hair, bone, or other sign can tell you about the shot and the likely outcome.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure – Knowing when to follow up, when to wait, and when to call in expert help.
• The Role of Trained Dogs – both hot and cold scent trained dogs. Why sometimes using a trained tracking dog is essential, and the risks of deploying untrained dogs off-lead.
• Animal Welfare & Risk Management – Minimising suffering, maximising recovery efficiency, and protecting yourself and others in the process.

The event will cover use of stalking companion dogs to locate well shot deer and also when a ‘cold scent’ trained team should be considered to assist the stalker. Understanding shot site analysis and follow up procedures is a crucial part of responsible deer management.

Whether you're involved in professional deer control or recreational stalking, this day offers practical insight into improving outcomes, upholding best practices, and ensuring that no shot is taken without a plan for what comes next.

Additional Info:

Please note: This is not a ‘bring your own dog’ event.

‘In the field’ activities will focus on locating and interpreting the evidence at a strike site should a deer leave the scene.


We have organised for two events to take place at this venue (Sat and Sun), if one date is significantly more popular than the other we may be forced to amalgamate bookings and run with the most popular.

If you have any questions relating to the training day, please email: louise.farmer@nature.scot

 

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The start of today's
Scotlands Wild Deer Best practice

 

[Rbr1401]

Any dates this year for moray area coming up please ?

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I attended the Dumfries event yesterday and it was excellent despite the rain. A lot of folk put in a lot of time and effort to deliver a thought provoking event.

Regards

JCS

 

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Bump

 

[sikasako]

I’ve just been advised by email from Nature Scot that the 22nd June event at Dunoon which I had enrolled for is no longer going ahead due to insufficient numbers.

My pal had tried to book up for that date and the Eventbrite system showed up that the event was already fully booked.

How bizarre and disappointing.

 

[keith74]

Think there was still space on the 21st last I checked if that’s any use?Might be worth sending Louise an email in case it’s some Eventbrite issue.

 

[WildDeerBestPractice_Scot]

Hi All
Unfortunately we did need to amalgamate the two days as there weren't enough bookings on the Sunday, it had been advertised for a good while and not got near the number of minimum bookings we need to be able to run the day effectively.
We do have room for folk on the Saturday though the more the better for the Shot Site Activities.
Hopefully you and your friend can join us on the 21st @sikasako sorry again for the inconvenience.
Louise

 

[sikasako]

Hi All
Unfortunately we did need to amalgamate the two days as there weren't enough bookings on the Sunday, it had been advertised for a good while and not got near the number of minimum bookings we need to be able to run the day effectively.
We do have room for folk on the Saturday though the more the better for the Shot Site Activities.
Hopefully you and your friend can join us on the 21st @sikasako sorry again for the inconvenience.
Louise

Thanks Louise,

Unfortunately the Sunday 22nd June date was the only one that suited us.