Whether consideration was given to targeting the culling of female deer in September 2020 in the most affected areas rather than adopting a…

Deer are present across the whole of Scotland’s national forests and land, and, being mobile animals, can damage a wide range of tree crops and habitats. Deer impacts can have a significant and negative effect on Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS), core objectives including climate change mitigation measures and biodiversity targets as well as timber production and operating costs.
In order to deliver proactive and effective deer management on Scotland’s national forests and land, FLS annually applies to NatureScot for authorisation to shoot deer out of season across the whole landholding.
Out of season shooting is however evidence-led, prioritised and targeted at the most vulnerable areas of woodland or open habitat currently at risk of, or subject to, deer damage impacts. Evidence and relevant data to inform the targeting of culling of deer is sourced from the FLS Wildlife Management System database and formal damage assessment of crops carried out by independent surveyors. Additional localised culling may also be necessary for human safety or deer welfare reasons.