Deer Management

Dave Windle

As promised in the last issue, this time, I have written a more detailed review of this, now topical, subject. Late last year, SNH published a report "Deer Management in Scotland: Report to the Scottish Government from Scottish Natural Heritage 2016. This is a comprehensive review of the available data. I quote below a number of its Main Findings.

• Between 1961 and 2016, red deer densities in Scotland have increased by 60% overall although there are some marked variations in deer densities across the country.
• Progress in Deer Management Group plans has been less evident for public interest categories most relevant to the natural heritage.
• Grazing by red deer and other herbivores is a major cause of unfavourable condition of natural features in protected areas.
• The Native Woodland Survey of Scotland found that more than a third of all native woodlands were in unsatisfactory condition due to herbivore impacts. Evidence supports the view that deer are a major factor in limiting woodland condition recovery.
• Available information suggests that if deer densities were lower across much of Scotland the benefits arising from deer could be largely maintained and many of the costs reduced.
• We are not confident that present approaches to deer management will be effective in sustaining and improving the natural heritage in a reasonable timescale.

I include a graph on deer densities below. When looking at these numbers, a useful reference point is Glenfeshie where deer densities have been reduced to 0.8/km². Adam Watson and Kenny Kortland advise that, on FCS land, they need to achieve densities of less than 3/km² before they get widespread tree regeneration. However, this is a simplification, as in winter, deer tend to concentrate on small areas of glen bottom, preventing regeneration in the area, although allowing it higher up. Interestingly, as density drops, fecundity increases requiring that work on controlling numbers has to continue Also, as the trees regenerate they provide cover and the task of controlling deer numbers gets more difficult.

Suffice to say, based on the data in the report, we aren't even in the right ballpark!

There is nothing surprising here. Most of us know that deer numbers have increased substantially over the last 50 years and that there are some bad estates and too few good estates. However, writing it all down in an authoritative report has spurred official action. The report was considered by the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee who produced a review, 5th Report 2017, which was debated on the 2nd May.

I quote from the committee review

• Current powers failing to deliver
• SNH failure seen to being down to a fear that they would be open to challenge
• SNH not provided leadership on the issue"
• Before the debate, a coalition of environmental charities (including NEMT via LINK) had called for increased control.
  During the debate, there was clear momentum for stiffening SNH's resolve to act (now, where have we seen that problem before??) and, if necessary, providing additional powers.

Regrettably, but not surprisingly, Roseanna Cunningham decided to test current intervention powers before making any legislative changes. In summary, she has decided to set up an independent review group and will "encourage SNH to use the full range of their powers". Progress will be reviewed in 2019. The press release includes some good words on improved deer management plans. However, plans are all very well, but it's actions that count. Much will depend on how SNH reacts to this encouragement. Their past performance has been poor, always seeking compromise and being easily fobbed off by vague excuses from recalcitrant estates. However, they have now been reprimanded and might change. We shall see.

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