DEER MANAGEMENT

Deer are to be found on many of our heather moorlands and uplands across Britain.  They represent an important and iconic aspect of our upland biodiversity and are valued by the Heather Trust as such.  They are a source of venison and contribute to tourism. 

There are six species of deer in Britain, two native, Red deer and Roe, and four non-native, Fallow and Sika also Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer, the latter two not known to be in Scotland.  The law in relation to wild deer is complex and differs across the nations of the United Kingdom.  The Scottish Government intends to bring forward additional deer legislation in 2024/25. 

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In excessive numbers, deer of all species can be a cause of environmental and economic damage and can be a danger to public safety, for example on our roads.  As they are free-ranging and are not (in law and in their wild state) the property of the owner of the land on which they are present, a collaborative approach to management across their range is highly desirable.  For the management of open-range red deer, DMGs (deer management groups) have been formed over recent decades, being most common across the Scottish Highlands where there are now some 50 DMGs.  Effective DMGs develop Deer Management Plans where population models and cull plans are agreed and implemented by Group members, based on regular counting. 

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The Heather Trust values our deer species where they are to be found on moorland and mountain and supports a balanced and structured approach to their management.  Low levels of grazing and browsing can have a positive environmental impact. However, undermanaged deer populations can cause environmental damage due to overgrazing and trampling, as well as economic loss on farmland and in woodlands.  Unprotected regenerating woodlands and plantations are particularly susceptible to grazing and browsing by herbivores in general, but deer in particular. Protection of trees may be necessary over the medium term even where deer are at relatively low population densities.  A structured and adaptive approach to deer management, taking their welfare into account, can deliver a balance between environmental protection and the economic value of deer for hunting and venison production.