Freedom of Information Request - Information Regarding Nature Scotland Deer App
Date: 26 January 2026
Our ref: SIR182918/A5664573
Information Request – Information Regarding Nature Scotland Deer App
Your Request & Our Response
‘I have come across an App supported or organised by nature Scotland in regards to culling of deer called The Deer App'.
Following a detailed search of the information we hold our response is below.
1. How much has the set up and running cost of this app created?
The developer cost of the Deer App, which is ongoing, is £116,839 inc. VAT to date. There will be no further payment this financial year.
2. How much will it cost to update and monitor it every year?
We have confirmed with the developer that the ongoing costs will be £15,082 inc. VAT per annum going forward.
3. How many stalkers not including government employees for their job are using this App ?
There are 137 deer stalkers registered in total for the Deer App. Of this overall figure, 78 are nongovernment employees using the Deer App in our Deer pilot incentive scheme. We do not hold information to confirm if they are using it for their job or stalking deer as a recreational pursuit.
The only time that non-government employed deer stalkers have been using the Deer App was on a trial basis. These trials came to an end in late 2025.
4. What is the percentage of variance from the statutory annual required cull figures, Game dealer records and this App for number of deer culled since the public use of this app in Scotland. (Presumably season 2024-2025.)
Based on the current level of Deer App usage we cannot calculate the variance from the statutory annual cull figures from use of the Deer App. The Deer App has had a very restricted roll out. Its use so far has been limited to two NatureScot NNRs and three Deer incentive pilot schemes, plus trialled with three or four external partners. The work with external partners is currently on hold. The AGHE (Game dealer) part of the Deer App is part of Phase 4 of the App’s development, which is currently underway, and is therefore not available for use. There is no wider scale public usage of the deer app in Scotland.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
