Tell me again why public access stalking isn’t a viable option

[Rake Aboot]

NatureScot could intervene to cull Highland estate's red deer

NatureScot says a Highland estate could be targeted with Scotland's first deer control scheme.

www.bbc.co.uk

I could help out there.

 

[cjm1066]

Opening it up to all stalkers might see a deluge of attendance, how would that be organised safely?

 

[Essexsussex]

Opening it up to all stalkers might see a deluge of attendance, how would that be organised safely?

They wear orange hats in the US

 

[norsk]

Opening it up to all stalkers might see a deluge of attendance, how would that be organised safely?

By the fact that muppets shouldn't have guns in the first place?

Public access hunting works for millions of hunters worldwide.

 

[Dave_45]

Creagh meighey * (incorrect spelling )

Is the closest , and the basc schemes a distant relative , both with the it’s who you know not what you know sketch.

 

[Mungo]

Main issue somewhere like that is extraction.

The average recreational stalker really doesn’t have the kit or the time to extract 10s of red deer off difficult ground.

 

[Mungo]

Public access hunting works well when numbers are low, so you only need a maintenance cull.

When numbers are high, and you need a concerted reduction cull done quickly, it’s not a solution.

 

[Quixote]

I'd be quite happy to pop up for a week or so? Just get them to give me a call

 

[glasshalffull]

They wear orange hats in the US

What's wrong with that I wear one for beating pheasant

 

[Mungo]

If I were the estate, I would start by challenging the habitat impact assessment. I’ve seen in detail just how poor the NatureScot data is.

They seem to use a ‘one size fits all’ approach: so they tend not to actually go in and do actual habitat surveys. They have standard tables that say ‘x deer per hectare in z habitat = bad’. There’s little or no ground truthing (because of course not - actual survey data is expensive).

One area I know well has x10 the deer that NS think it should, but there is absolutely no evidence of plant community degradation. If anything, the disturbance created by the deer is maintaining higher diversity. This is on fragile blanket bog.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Some encouraging replies there folks

My own personal opinion is that a tag system would be the preferred method.
Apply for a tag , set a time window and go shoot a deer for yourself.

 

[Deerkeeper]

I do think this is a subject that is worth exploring.

There are plenty of reasons why it would be challenging to implement but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be considered.

Not being open minded, in all areas, is one of the biggest problems in countryside management and it has held us back for years.

 

[Dave_45]

I do think this is a subject that is worth exploring.

There are plenty of reasons why it would be challenging to implement but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be considered.

Not being open minded, in all areas, is one of the biggest problems in countryside management and it has held us back for years.

The last time the public stalking was brought into discussion on here it brought derision from some all singing and all dancing pro stalker contractors , no one else could possibly be able to manage deer at their level.

 

[Tazz]

They wear orange hats in the US

And some are Orange

 

[opticron1]

I'm still surprised that the "owners" of the Estate are going through the same problem after being ordered to reduce their deer numbers in a similar fashion two years ago. Maybe they just thought it was a one off, but a certain lack of awareness on their part. You would think it would have been more valuable to have sub contracted the culling or at least made an effort to sell off a few days, both for stags and hinds and bring some finance into the Estate and area. Especially as we have NatureScot and their bed fellows all parroting the Deer bad-Trees good mantra!

 

[opticron1]

And some are Orange

Ooh.....a bit political.....

 

[Quixote]

The last time the public stalking was brought into discussion on here it brought derision from some all singing and all dancing pro stalker contractors , no one else could possibly be able to manage deer at their level.

I think there's a case to be made that in some cases recreational stalkers might actually do a better job

 

[MAH]

I'm still surprised that the "owners" of the Estate are going through the same problem after being ordered to reduce their deer numbers in a similar fashion two years ago.

Me too.
Does anyone know the background as to why this situation has arisen, e.g. a stand off, between the land owner and NS.
Is it the LO doesn't want to cull, or can't be bothered?
I'd be interested to hear the LO views.

As @rake about suggested.
I'd favour a tag system rather than free access.
And the applicant should include an extraction method statement., so as to demonstrate they know what they are getting into.

M

 

[enfieldspares]

And some are Orange

Ah but they wear red hats...

 

[Moaky]

Permit and tag based system run by regions/districts would be an easy win in my opinion. The governing body can control how many permits are issued and can stipulate rules including things like maintaining a cull record database per region, base requirements for stalkers, etc. This system works well in the states and I dont see a reason why it cant be adopted in some form that works for the UK well. Charge for the permits to offset the cost of running it and potentially make a small profit.