Strategy for Wild Deer in Scotland - Draft for Public Consultation 2007

With 96% of the total number of 5432
designated features assessed, current analysis
shows 73% already meet the target. Of these,
43% (2341 features) have been assessed as
being potentially subject to impacts by deer or
other grazing animals. 82% (1927 features) of
these are in favourable or recovering condition
and not considered to be at risk of adverse
impacts from these sources (this represents
35% of all features).
The focus is therefore on the 338 features that
remain at risk, representing some 30% of the
total number that need active management in
place to be in recovery by 2010. Around half
of these, 172 features on 91 sites totalling
412,311 ha or about 5% of Scotland, are already
being addressed and, when management is in
place, will contribute 15% of the work required
to achieve the 2010 target. The challenge that
exists is to secure action on the other half
that remain, involving some 166 features on
another 147 sites.
A Joint Agency Strategy for Wild Deer in Scotland
Draft for Public Consultation 2007
9
Taking a broader focus, the development of
best practice guidance by organisations
involved in deer management together with
government agencies has been a significant
development in recent years. A set of
approximately 90 guides covering key areas of
deer management practice ranging from shot
placement to habitat monitoring has been
developed in conjunction with a series of
demonstration events for practitioners.
These developments have made significant
progress in key areas of deer management.
This strategy seeks to build on this work and
progress these areas further, together with
other actions, to secure a sustainable approach
to deer management in the long term.