Sustainable Deer Management A Case Study Report for the Deer ...

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fig.2. Key elements of SDM ♦♦ Deer management is proactive ♦ ♦ Safeguard deer welfare ♦♦ Conserve/enhance biodiversity ♦♦ Maintain balanced integration between agriculture, forestry and natual heritage ♦♦ Minimise costs associated with deer management In all cases there was a blend of economic, recreational and aesthetic benefit associated with delivery of SDM, the relative value of each, differing between sites and to a lesser extent between individuals within each site. (see fig.3.) Most of the public funding which currently supports deer management is either associated with improving the condition of designated sites or paid to support woodland establishment. Over the remainder of Scotland, any public benefit currently associated with deer and their management is a by-product of private sector land management aspirations. Evidence from the Case Studies demonstrates that nurturing the SDM process will ensure continued and enhanced contributions to the outcomes of a broad spectrum of National Strategies and provide additional site-specific public benefits. Delivering SDM through Collaboration There is general agreement from the majority of participants that DMGs are a good concept, which allow co-ordination and flow of relevant information and discussion on how to manage a common land resource - but they could do more - and participants recognised that the voluntary system has its limitations. For instance, it can be difficult to achieve consensus amongst members, DMG’s are not regarded as decision-making bodies and are weakened by non-attendance of some land managers. To support sustainable deer management, DMGs have to carry out certain functions and take on specific roles which enable members to manage the shared resource of deer and the landscape on which they reside. After a wide ranging literature review on this subject, participants were asked to consider a list of 16 key roles of a DMG. Interviewees were asked to record which they regarded as the most important for attaining sustainable management of the deer resource in their area, and also which functions they did not consider essential, but that would lead to additional benefit if attained. (see fig.4). 4 Sustainable Deer Management • 24.06.10 © DCS 2010 • www.dcs.gov.uk
fig.3. The private and public benefits of SDM key: A Ensure skills, knowledge and training development to manage deer B Native deer are recognised as an iconic species and an asset C Conserve/enhance biodiversity D Guided by a Deer Management Plan and Policy Document E Deer management is proactive and to a industry recognised standard (BP) F Develop the market and supply chain for venison G Secure favourable condition of designated sites H Safeguard welfare of all deer species I Provide security for jobs of good quality J Maintain balanced age structure across the age profile K Minimise costs associated with wild deer H G I F community L Maintain balanced integration between agriculture, forestry & natural heritage M Ensure estate viability N Deer management assists achievement of multiple land management objectives O Minimise negative impacts of deer in/ around communities P Contribute to safe and healthy environment for people J 82 64 64 100 73 73 91 73 91 82 D E N M C A F L 46 42 58 B C A 42 33 67 83 H 92 J D 88 K 88 F P O 53 53 66 66 66 73 B E D forestry 93 80 A 87 87 E lowland colour key: H L common to all common to some uncommon These pie charts illustrate the top 10 ranked benefits of SDM listed by participants in 3 case studies 3. CONCLUSIONS Evaluating Sustainable Deer management Despite the fact that deer management objectives and techniques change with factors like geology, geography, land use, estate size, and resident deer species, five objectives consistently came top of the list across all of the case studies. This suggests that there is wide ranging support across the Scottish deer industry for “strong” sustainable development where the limitations of land are identified, and understood. Consequently there is broad agreement between both the private sector and government on the key environmental and economic objectives associated with SDM. ♦ ♦ Safeguard deer welfare ♦♦ Conserve/enhance biodiveristy ♦♦ Maintain balanced integration between agriculture, forestry and natural heritage ♦♦ Minmise costs associated with deer management. These are delivered and based on the premise that any deer management activity should be carried out proactively and to an industry recognised standard (Best Practice). These sentiments are reflected in the Wild Deer: A National Approach (2008). However, there is evidence to suggest that although the private sector has regard for the social benefits which are relevant for their locality, they tend not to attach as much importance to them as the costs attached to their achievement outweighs any private benefit. To deliver on both a local and a national scale and in the long-term, the objectives of SDM are only one part of the Sustainable Deer Management process. 5 Sustainable Deer Management • 24.06.10 © DCS 2010 • www.dcs.gov.uk
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