Deer Culling

In the past deer tended to be shot purely for sporting purposes. Stags (male deer) were shot as 'trophies', with the size and number of points on their antlers being the key factor. Any stag with six points on each antler was regarded as a 'Royal' and was highly sought after.

Today the culling of deer is based much more on the welfare of the deer herd and their impact on the surrounding habitat. A collaborative approach to their management has been developed with the formation of 'Deer Management Groups' (DMG's). These originated in the Highlands but are now found all over Scotland. These groups, which are voluntary bodies, tend to cover areas where there are distinctive herds and can range from a few to a large number of separate land holdings.

These DM Groups have completed Deer Management Plans which provide guidance for individual estates on the number of deer to be culled each year. Regular counts either by helicopter or on foot provide the data for making these decisions. In addition habitat surveys are being introduced to try and give a longer term indication of potential damage from over grazing. It is down to the professional stalkers to cull the deer.

Professional stalkers have a wealth of experience when it comes to working with deer. They have an intimate knowledge of the land on which they work and will know where to find the deer, depending on time of year and weather conditions

The priority when culling is to select the older or unhealthy animals, which would be unlikely to survive the winter. These are then shot humanely with a high velocity rifle. When a large number must be shot, a percentage of the cull will also include some healthy animals. Selection is then based on taking a few animals from each age group from the very young to the very old. This leaves a healthy mix within the herd. If a hind (female) with a calf is shot, then the calf must be shot as well. This is important as a motherless calf is rejected by the rest of the herd and is chased from the good feeding and shelter. This would lead to a slow death for the calf.

The purpose is to leave a herd of strong healthy animals for everybody to admire.

The culling seasons for Red Deer stags and hinds are different and are based on the annual life cycle of the deer.

In Scotland stags can be shot between 1^st July and 20^th October. Stags are in peak condition around mid-September. Towards the end of September the 'rut' begins (mating season) and their body weight rapidly drops and by the end of October they are thin and smelly from the rut and are not suitable for shooting.

Hinds can be shot between 21^st October and 15^th February. Hinds calve in June, so by November calves and hinds have reached their best condition following the summer. Therefore any beast that is thin or poorly at this time will certainly not survive the harsh winter and is best culled.

Out with these times the deer cannot be shot unless they are injured or are causing damage to woodland/farmland. It is illegal to shoot deer at night at any time of year unless a special licence has been granted by the DCS. The laws relating to the culling of deer as well as the culling seasons differ in Scotland from England and Wales.

For more information on deer and deer stalking, please visit the following web sites:

www.deer-management.co.uk
Association of Deer Management Groups

www.dcs.gov.uk
The Deer Commission for Scotland

www.bds.org.uk
The British Deer Society