Wednesday 24 March 2021

SGA STATEMENT: DEER WORKING GROUP REPORT

Caption at the foot of this statement.

This morning, Scottish Government issued its response to the Deer Working Group report. You can read it, in full, here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/deer-working-group-recommendations-scottish-government-response/

Please see the SGA response, below.

GAMEKEEPERS DEMAND INPUT TO PROTECT HUMAN AND DEER WELFARE.
Scottish Gamekeepers Association Chairman Alex Hogg, MBE, said: “Tax payer forestry and woodland schemes are installing Scotland’s next wealthy landlords. The direction is clear; iconic deer stand in the way. Wildlife and Green groups will be rejoicing.

“We need input on male and female deer seasons to ensure respect remains for the species and the deer managers doing the culling. Their mental welfare wasn’t considered by this report.

“Sanctioning night scopes for culls will be endorsing something illegal across much of Europe. 

“Asking deer managers to cut large moving calves from the stomachs of pregnant hinds into mid-April must be off the table if Scottish Government wants to avoid public distaste.”


Film: "Our fears for the mental health of Scotland's deer managers- if Scottish Govt changes the deer seasons." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTz2PVGO7XQ 


Image caption: March 2002, deer carcasses dumped from a lorry onto a car park after lying on a hill for 36 hours.  Deer were culled, out-of-season, by Forestry Commission staff (public body) within the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.

130 Carcasses were collected from the hill by helicopter before being dumped in the car park and later sold.