A report on the seminar for recreational hunters in Scotland, with some comments on deer management

Abstract

I participated in the seminar for recreational hunters “Wild Deer Best Practice Event” at Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire, on 27th and 28th October 2010, conducted by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The seminar was composed of six parts as follows: 1) planning and habitat assessment, 2) deer behavior, 3) welfare and responsibility, 4) carcass hygiene, 5) effective syndicate and 6) rifle shooting. The lecturers in the seminar belong to SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), The Deer Initiative and so on. The FCS manages timber production, plantation, outdoor recreation and wildlife in the public forests. The rangers and professional hunters who are employed by FCS control deer populations and protect their forests. In this paper, I introduce an outline of deer management and an educational program for hunters in Scotland. It is necessary for us to establish a system of deer management and the sustainable use of venison. I suggest that deer management should be situated within forest management.