Scotland's Wild Deer: A National Approach (WDNA) Appendix 1 2017-2018

Deliver a workshop session on conflict management guidance

The workshop for DMG Chairs and Secretaries was held in July 2017 it focussed on two main areas: Delivery of DMPs for Environmental Outcomes and Adapting to Change (Including a session on managing conflict)

Develop the metrics for assessing delivery of the Public Interests in the Deer Management Group assessment

A set of public interest metrics for DMG Assessments has been developed.

Support ADMG in the provision and interpretation of woodland data that aids development of deer management plans

FCS has made all Native Woodland Survey of Scotland data available in several different formats to assist with accessibility and interpretation. There have been no requests for access or support in interpretation directly from ADMG; however we continue to engage with ADMG and LDNS to make them aware of the data availability and support that is available. 

Support deer management planning activity in the Assynt area through gathering data, training land managers and investigating opportunities to create businesses from deer products

SWT have delivered or facilitated training and skills development

DSC1 – 10 participants from local estates including Assynt Crofters Trust, Scottish Wildlife

Trust, Culag Community Woodland Trust, John Muir Trust, Inverpolly

Fragile Earth Sensitive ATV training – 4 Participants from Woodland Trust, Assynt Foundation, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Culag Community Woodland Trust

2 participants on UHI MSc unit Sustainable Deer Management

Supported Deer Management Planning by

Developing framework for Habitat Assessment Programme for WSDMG

Developing specifications for Venison Marketing Research to be implemented 2018-19

Review Deer Management Planning in forestry to better connect with SNH's official DMP process

This is ongoing and will be part of internal work renewing grant support in the next SRDP period.

Agree methodology for monitoring the extent of compliance with the Deer Code

The outline approach and methodology for reviewing the extent of compliance with the Deer Code has been agreed.

Develop short video clips as online tutorials to complement the WDBP guides

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Refresh the WDBPG website

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Deliver a series of activity sessions for children based on deer management

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Include a deer management event in the Cairngorms Nature Festival Weekend

Deer management event established as part of CNF weekend annually at Balmoral. Audience:

open invitation to general public

Deliver the "Hill to the Grill" programme with partners as part of the Outdoor and Woodland Learning Project

Activity for 35 S2 students from Ullapool High School

John Muir Trust - Hill to Hill. This is an ongoing programme to be delivered each year of the project.  

Promote deerscotland.info website

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Develop handy bespoke guides on conflict management tools and techniques

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Support DMGs in developing and implementing their DMPs

This work continues to be ongoing. 44 Deer Management Plans have been produced with ADMG actively supporting the development of new plans for fledgling groups such as Lewis and Harris, Uists and Skye as well as supporting and helping to facilitate a number of new Groups in areas not previously represented by a DMG such as Cowal.

Provide training for FCS woodland officers to support their contribution to commenting on DMG deer management plans

In progress but not complete

Address the 2016 Authorisation Panel Recommendations

Hardware (night and thermal image intensifying scopes) purchased, liaison with FES concluded and plan in place. Authorization for use granted by SG but work suspended till October as night shooting season comes back into play.

Agree how to present monitoring reports to parliament on a three yearly basis

The methodology for pulling together the reports has been agreed but the final presentation is yet to be confirmed.

Develop new WDBP Guides for DMGs

This was originally a ADMG action but was taken on by SNH.  Work is in progress with an external contractor to develop these guides

Develop SWARD for deer managers

SWARD will be progressed over the next period by engaging a consultant organisation to undertake a scoping review of some of the more technical/IT components.

Identify how to deliver the research priorities and knowledge exchange gaps set out in the report on Wild Deer Research

A draft action plan has been developed identifying how the research priorities will be met. This will be completed and start to be implemented in the year ahead.

Implement the Invasive Non-Native Species Code as and when necessary and monitor and act upon any reported sightings of Muntjac

One confirmed sighting of a muntjac in May near Polbeth in West Lothian.  The animal had escaped from Five Sisters Zoo and was recaptured. There were other unconfirmed sights, assessed as false alarms, at Garrion Bridge in South Lanarkshire in December and at Piershill in Edinburgh in March.  FES will continue to investigate any reported sighting on the NFE and report directly back to SNH.

Run a session on restoring native woodlands for DMGs

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Review and co-ordinate guidance on woodland monitoring

3/4 awareness raising days, work on consistency has been carried out. Further development publishing and training will be undertaken in 2018/19.

Support DMGs in planning for and implementing opportunities for woodland expansion in their areas

Birnam Workshop provided DMGs with advice about woodland expansion opportunities and the Grant funding available through FCS. 

Deliver a range of peatland restoration projects

Peatland restoration projects within CNP well established with over 500 ha under restoration and a total of over 13 projects with, funding application or expression of interest. CNPA employing full-time Peatland Officer, with second PO currently advertised (May 2018). Peatland Restoration limited only by funding availability and PO capacity.  

Support establishment of riparian woodlands through

Natural Heritage Grant Scheme Small Tree Planting Funding

NPGS funded riparian tree planting on the Balvaig River at Stroneslaney.

Contribute to addressing herbivore impacts which are contributing to unfavourable condition of designated features in woodlands

FES increased its overall deer cull from 32000 in 2016/17 to 37000 in 2017/18. We also now have a Sheep Trespass policy which we can action.  FES are also using the Woodland grazing toolbox Herbivore Impacts Assessment in all ancient and semi-natural woodlands (many of which are designated as SAC or SSSI) and on Plantations on Ancient Woodland sites.

Contribute to addressing herbivore impacts which are contributing to unfavourable condition of designated features in the uplands

Roll out of revised HIA guides and support for consultants to provide training.

Carry out a deer census programme

Counts completed in West Ross, West Lochaber, South Perthshire, Morvern, East Loch Ericht,

Strathtay, Caenlochan and on the Uists. Also delivered estate-funded counts in Letterewe, Cabrach, Marlodge, Mid West, Reay Forest and Wildland. Monadliaths 50% DMG / 50% SNH funded.

Review training on distinguishing herbivore impacts for those involved with Site Condition Monitoring and Habitat Impact Assessments

3 days of upland HIA training was given to 3 DMGs within the Park and one day of Woodland Training was given (this was in May 2018). We discussed the difficulties in differentiating between deer and sheep with practitioners.

Provide venison from National Nature Reserves and National Parks for local events and sales

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Further explore the use of deer larders and cold stores in the low grounds

Have explored through a number of channels such as through LDNS questionnaire sent through LDNS members but with very poor feedback.

Provide a deer management sporting lease opportunity on the Isle of Rum NNR

5 year lease let. Contributed to deer management on the island, economic activity on Rum.

Co-ordinate a series of events through "Eat Scottish Venison Day"

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Refine a cost benefit analysis of deer culling and deer fencing

A joint FCS, SNH paper on the cost benefit analysis of deer culling and fencing was completed.

Continue to raise awareness amongst staff and stalkers of deer-related human disease risks such as Lyme disease from ticks

FC ran a national campaign in 2017 ' ticked off' in regards to diseases and illness associated with tick bits. This was a tool box kit which covered how to prevent against getting then, how to extract ticks from your and your dog’s body using tool supplied and when to seek medical advice. Wildlife staff have also the option of being supplied with tick preventative clothing.

Collate DVC records from main data sources of Road operating companies, SSPCA records and Human injury records

Another year's report has been drafted.

Continue work on DVCs, including looking at identifying hotspots

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Facilitate the annual Spring and Autumn Deer Campaign to help raise awareness amongst road users of the likelihood of deer movements

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Support responsible access and responsible land management by operating the Heading for the Scottish Hills web service

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Encourage and support the use of CNPA developed and

provided signs on deer stalking and education on wider moorland management

120 access/information/'Welcome to the Moor', stalking, dog walking signs produced and distributed through three Moorland Groups operating across CNP. 

Promote Scottish Outdoor Access Code advice relating to stalking to members and to the general public via the website linking to the HFSH  /  Hill phones when the scheme is launched each summer

A link from the Ramblers Scotland homepage to a webpage on deer stalking, which highlighted the HFSH guidance during the main stalking period.  This message was also circulated in our member e-newsletter to our Scottish members, and promoted through social media at the time

Take opportunities to publicise and promote the rights and responsibilities of the public with regard to walking during the stalking season

Ramblers Scotland have promoted the HFSH advice to the public through our social media channels during the main stalking period.

Liaise over issues relating to access and stalking through the National Access Forum

There was only one discussion relating to access and stalking during this period at the NAF, which related to a research project based on an estate in Glen Lyon.  However, we did take part in this discussion, and will continue to do so if the matter arises again

Encourage responsible access through the Land Management Access Forum

The Local Access Forum meets quarterly  and  there is now a land management representative with a stalking background attending.

Review existing data and scope the feasibility of identifying new data on the impacts of deer on forestry

The review of existing data has resulted in the development of a revised Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment (WHIA), and discussion on the future development of a plot-based quantitative assessment system based around the existing qualitative WHIA.

Develop the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment as a methodology for monitor impacts of deer on forestry

The existing WHIA methodology was revised and updated. A FCS, SNH funded project completed a review of the consistency of surveyors in using the methodology. Three awareness raising workshops on the use of the WHIA were run in Seven Lochs project area, Loch Falloch and Flanders Moss.

Hold a WDBP Demonstration Day for colleges

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Deliver annual DSC1 courses, including female only option

DSC1 course offered through local contractor and subsidised thru CNPA Rural Skills Training on annual basis 

Offer a DSC 2 subsidised opportunity

DSC2 opportunities offered through local contractor and subsidised thru CNPA Rural Skills Training on annual basis 

Encourage the use of the CNP as an education resource and provide support for education activities

CNPA actively engaged in hosting knowledge transfer with several university and higher education establishments each year. 

CNPA active in improving coverage of HIA thru DMGs and analysing larder data to advise/focus

DMP and culling effort towards reducing densities and improving deer welfare 

Run an event on best practice in food hygiene and carcase preparation

A number of events were run.

Hold Open Range Days and Run DSC courses

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Run the advanced Deer Management course

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Deliver 2 Habitat Impact Assessment Training Days

We delivered 2 HIA days in partnership with SNH and another 1 in partnership with SAC/ FAS.

Review the SVQs and Modern Apprenticeship in game keeping and wildlife management

Lantra, along with SQA and guidance from college staff and industry representatives, reviewed the content of SVQ 2 (SCQF Level 5) and 3 (SCQF Level 7) units covering Gamekeeping, Game Rearing, Deer, Upland/Grouse and Lowland learning pathways, as well as the framework for the Modern Apprenticeship SCQF Level 5. This was then opened to wider industry consultation, and the new qualification structures are now signed off

Promote awareness of and ways to prevent spread of Chronic Wasting Disease

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Contribute to contingency planning for Chronic Wasting Disease

Contributed through the CWD Technical Group.