Sustainable Deer Management and the Public Interest
The management of red deer at a landscape population level as set out in the Code of Practice on Deer Management (The Deer Code) requires a collaborative approach. Deer are regarded as a natural resource and as such all those who manage them have a ‘responsibility’ to:
- manage deer as a resource sustainably;
- minimise negative deer impacts on public interest;
- safeguard deer welfare.
The deer management objectives of members of the DMG currently contribute to delivering a wide range of public benefits as set out in The Deer Code. This plan will demonstrate how the DMG is currently contributing to sustainable deer management and will identify further opportunities for the DMG to deliver the Public Interest.
The purpose of the Deer Management Plan
The overall purpose of the Deer Management Plan is to provide:
- An agreed framework for the management of wild deer and habitat improvement in the area covered by the Group;
- An agreed set of actions to deliver the public interest associated with sustainable deer management;
- An agreed pattern of arrangements to ensure that the actions are implemented and their effectiveness monitored.
Deer Management Plan Structure
The DMP was adopted in 2016 and consists of two main parts .
- Part 1: Deer Management Plan Information — This sets out background information and details the Public Interest relating to Deer Management in the local area. Information on individual management units is also contained here.
- Part 2: Group Operation — This part contains information relating to the Operation and Functioning of the DMG.
- Annual Reports will set out the progress the Group has made in the delivery of the plan.
- Working Plan – this is the most up to date working plan and will continually be updated.
Deer Management Plan Implementation
The plan identifies specific actions for the Group and targets to be delivered by 2021. These will be reviewed on an annual basis in the Working Plans. The DMG will use information gathered from habitat monitoring, population census and cull reporting to agree and set culls on an annual basis. Each management unit is committed to implementing the necessary culls to achieve this although it is accepted that there may be specific geographical areas within the Group area where deer management requires to be focussed.
The Group are committed to working collaboratively to achieve deliver the objectives of the plan and will meet regularly to discuss deer management and issues that arise in the local and wider area. This Plan will therefore take account of all land management interests as well as those of other Statutory Organisations and the wider public interest.
Please send all comments to Linzi Seivwright (linzi@caorann.com).