Scottish deer management - new legislative proposals

[Conor O'Gorman]

The Scottish Government has today launched a consultation on significant proposals to change legislation around deer management in Scotland. It closes on 29 March.

Some of the proposals are as follows (not exhaustive, do read the consultation doc via links below to read all of them):

• The close season for female deer of all species should be changed to cover the period of highest welfare risk, from 31 March to 30 September.
• Everyone shooting deer in Scotland should meet fit and competent standards as evidenced by having achieved at least Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1.
• Use of a shotgun to kill deer should be subject to stricter regulation.
• Venison specific regulations should be repealed and venison should simply follow the same regulatory procedure as other wild meat and game products without the additional requirement of a Venison Dealers Licence.
• The owner or occupier of land should be allowed to shoot stray farmed deer on that land in order to prevent damage by the deer, providing there is, by their assessment, no other reasonable or practical way to contain the deer.
• Anyone wishing to keep deer as private property (i.e. not for the purpose of farming or as an exhibit in a zoo) should require a licence to protect the welfare of those deer.
• Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders issued by NatureScot requiring fencing, reductions in deer numbers, cull plans and reporting for designated areas - with non-compliance being an offence.
• NatureScot granted new emergency powers to include the ability to enter land to undertake short term deer management actions for a period of up to 28 days, to tackle damage.
• Statutory Code of Practice on the capture of live capture of deer in Scotland. Any capture of live deer should be individually authorised by NatureScot.

BASC statement here:

BASC statement on launch of Scottish deer consultation

BASC Scotland director Peter Clark responded today to the launch of the Scottish Government’s consultation on deer management.

basc.org.uk

Consultation overview here:

Managing deer for climate and nature: consultation - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by The Scottish Government

consult.gov.scot

Download the consultation doc with all the proposals here:

https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/consultation-paper/2024/01/managing-deer-climate-nature-consultation/documents/managing-deer-climate-nature-consultation/managing-deer-climate-nature-consultation/govscot%3Adocument/managing-deer-climate-nature-consultation.pdf

Respond to the online consultation response questionnaire here:

Managing deer for climate and nature: consultation - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

Find and participate in consultations run by The Scottish Government

consult.gov.scot

 

[Island]

I shall read and respond willingly.

I fear however, given their track record, that the decisions have already been made...

 

[HonestJohn]

All sounds relatively reasonable

 

[Husky]

As far as the SNP/Greens are concerned a consultation means that they will do what they want.

 

[VSS]

Some sensible proposals there, and some not so sensible ones.

 

[doric_prince]

Everyone shooting deer in Scotland should meet fit and competent standards as evidenced by having achieved at least Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1.

Everyone shooting deer unaccompanied is the proposal, when reading consultation document, unless I’ve missed it elsewhere?

We are proposing that everyone undertaking deer management in Scotland should be registered as competent. We are proposing to introduce amendments which will make it a requirement that everyone shooting deer unaccompanied in Scotland has the same basic level of training, akin to that of the Deer Stalking Certificate Level One.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

Largely sounds sensible, will need to read further into the proposed FLS authority/sanctions though - never understood where they plucked the Scottish Female seasons from personally!

If anyone knows please let me know for curiosities sake!

Ben

 

[cutty sark]

On the fit and competent register and and up to date dsc1 & 2, then no need to apply for a night shooting licence, this lot really don’t like deer, it’s going to be a fecking free for all

 

[David Barker]

Sadly at the decision making process there was only one voice Andrew barber (Forestry). He sat with SNH and ticked the boxes they wanted and felt they could deliver. The working group was not for Scotland as a whole it was only against the Highland areas. The recommendations were the ones imprinted by the then SNH. This is why its a done deal.

 

[Night òwl]

As mentioned above , the consultation is pointless as like the lead free 'Consultation' . The decision will have already been made and this process is preparing us for what is going to happen.

 

[yellow belly]

Sadly at the decision making process there was only one voice Andrew barber (Forestry). He sat with SNH and ticked the boxes they wanted and felt they could deliver. The working group was not for Scotland as a whole it was only against the Highland areas. The recommendations were the ones imprinted by the then SNH. This is why its a done deal.

Where do you get information like this?

 

[David Barker]

Where do you get information like this?

I read a lot and looked at the working group i new some of them personally.

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

Everyone shooting deer unaccompanied is the proposal, when reading consultation document, unless I’ve missed it elsewhere?

We are proposing that everyone undertaking deer management in Scotland should be registered as competent. We are proposing to introduce amendments which will make it a requirement that everyone shooting deer unaccompanied in Scotland has the same basic level of training, akin to that of the Deer Stalking Certificate Level One.

Thanks, that's a good shout, there is ambiguity on this as the response form question refs 'everyone' yet the consultation doc refs 'everyone shooting deer unaccompained'. I will raise this with colleagues next week.

 

[VSS]

Thanks, that's a good shout, there is ambiguity on this as the response form question refs 'everyone' yet the consultation doc refs 'everyone shooting deer unaccompained'. I will raise this with colleagues next week.

Unaccompanied by who?
Does it say anywhere what the status of the accompanying person should be, or could any two unqualified individuals go stalking together and therefore meet the suggested criteria?

 

[Rake Aboot]

Here we go !!
You can’t shoot deer unless you are “ trained” and on the “ register”

And so it begins .
Shooting associations should be against this .

 

[User00040]

More 'rules' not laws, none of which will be either enforced or followed.

 

[Rake Aboot]

More 'rules' not laws, none of which will be either enforced or followed.

It’s a legislative change no ?

Thats a change in the laws governing that activity.

 

[NullMac]

It’s a legislative change no ?

Thats a change in the laws governing that activity.

His comment still applies, will they be enforced or followed.

Only speeding and murder seem to be illegal in practice.

 

[Rake Aboot]

His comment still applies, will they be enforced or followed.

Only speeding and murder seem to be illegal in practice.

Remember how inconsequential they are when you can’t get stalking permission cause you’re not trained and registered.

 

[HonestJohn]

Maybe it will stop some land hogging by non écossaise shooting residents