Wild deer best practice demo event 2011

[Mike Cottam]

SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE​

WILD DEER BEST PRACTICE DEMONSTRATION EVENT 2011.​

(Co-sponsored by SNH and Cairngorms National Park Authority)​

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The 2011 Event will be held at Balmoral Castle, by Ballater, on 26th and 27th
October, with 28th October reserved for Colleges. Registration Form is available
on the WDBP website (www.bestpracticeguides.org.uk).

Feedback from Drumlanrig and previous events indicated a desire for more time
to become involved in the session content, with maximum practical experience.
The session timings for Balmoral have been doubled to half-day, with new
delivery and maximum involvement of participants.

Event Theme: DEVELOPING SKILLS AND ADDING VALUE

Session Content:
1. Lardering - Carcass Inspection – Basic Hygiene – How the shooting,
lardering and butchery processes affect the eating quality of venison –
Butchery Demo – Practical Butchering Exercise (teams of 2) – Tasting the
result (young/old; bruised/not bruised; over cooked)
.
2. Deer Population Assessment and Cull Planning (practical).

3. Habitat Impact Assessment and Deer Management Plan development
(practical).

4. Ballistics and Bullet Performance – (Callum Ferguson and Jim Govan) –
Down range accuracy and terminal ballistics – Bullet design and factors
influencing controlled expansion – The balance between penetration and
tissue destruction - Bullet design for the target species – non-lead
alternatives – Ballistic gelatine and ballistic soap for visual confirmation.

5. Practical Rifle Skills – How to improve accuracy at normal range -
collaborative exercise with multiple shooting opportunities for candidates
interspersed by teaching of shooting techniques - theory, coaching, mutual
assessment in pairs - comparison and open discussion of matters
arising/relevant issues.


Regards,


Mike Cottam
WDBP Officer
SNH
Inverness

 

[Mike Cottam]

Don't forget guys this is all free of charge, including your lunch!!

Look forward to seeing you.

Regards

Mike

 

[Big Yan]

Mike, will there be another held lower down the country at a later date? We attended last year and would again but it it a 5 1/2 drive for me

 

[Mike Cottam]

Big Yan,
Sorry for delay in reply, been in Norway on deer related business (not at Scottish tax payer's expense!).

There will not be another demo event similar to this during 2011, as to 2012 depends on Government expenditure cut backs.

SNH may hold one-day events further south later this year to address specific topics.

We were approached to help with a potential event at Keilder organised by Deer Initiative but don'thave any further details, you need to contact DI.

Regards,
Mike

 

[forestgimp1]

Enjoy the Creag Meagaidh Venison everyone!