Part of a wider set of documents commissioned by the Deer Commission for Scotland which explored the practical systems which can be used to recognise monitor and regulate competence to shoot deer. This document outlines a draft definition of 'competence', including discussions on why there is a need to consider competence and also what competence means in practical terms in relation to shooting deer. This document sits within a broader context of a 'responsibility of care', a shooter 'knowing their limits as well as their abilities'.

National (e.g. National Occupational Standards) and/or industry recognised standards could be adopted to help define and standardise competence in deer shooting. These standards (and associated definition) will need to be responsive to potential future changes in legislation and industry needs.

The culling of female deer in the close season is a key challenge and perceived issue in deer management and deer welfare. Welfare concerns are raised specifically in relation to shooting pregnant hinds and the potential to orphan young. The report reviews the effectiveness of current systems to securing the welfare of dependent young from culled female deer. The report draws on Game Dealer data and Deer Commission Scotland (DCS) Authorisation Data on females and calves culled during a year. Two key challenges are identified 1) the lack of comprehensive data and duplication of data and 2) the discrepancy in figures between the DCS authorisation data and those processed through the game dealers.

The report reviews and analyses stakeholder and public perceptions and expectations in relation to deer welfare in Europe and North America. The legal status of welfare of wild deer is also reviewed. This is in relation to the impact this may have on stakeholder perceptions and expectations alongside the implications for deer welfare. Training, legislative frameworks and interventions, weapons, shoot seasons and supplementary feeding are all outlined in relation to the impact on and challenges they raise for deer welfare.

The report reviews the limitations of data that has been collected in relation to culled deer. Information on the traceability of of carcasses from 'hill to plate' could help to inform the sustainable management of wild deer. This includes data collected by Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) on cull returns, authorisation returns and venison dealer records. The extent of links between the different data sets are discussed. Overall it was found that there is the potential that the majority of carcasses killed under authorisation is submitted to DCS three times through cull returns, authorisation returns and venison dealer records.

Data should ideally be collected on individual carcasses and then analysed at the population or deer management unit scale.

The report identifies the need for a 'responsibility of care' which could help to inform a foundation for Deer Commission Scotland to develop a 'responsibility of care'. In relation to deer welfare the report discusses the following, 1) defining key terms, 2) perceptions, 3) expectations, 4) science and facts and 5) the current legal status of deer welfare and associated implications. A key theme from the discussion is on the implicit definition of welfare within current legislation and, in turn, deer management. There has been, however, an increase in awareness to deer welfare and that this should be explicit within deer management.

There remain questions on how welfare can be explicitly articulated and demonstrated within legislation and practice. Definition and consistent approaches need to be developed.

The report identifies key questions that could help to provide data on traceability, sustainable management and potential assessment for competence to help develop a unified system on culling wild deer. The questions are presented in tabular format highlighting the potential variables that would be needed (e.g. species, sex, age, stalker, date, location, diseases, bullet tracts). Of the 15 identified variables 11 are indicated as being 'essential' information with the remaining 4 being 'useful' information.

This report provides an overview on the costs and limitations of current methods used to assess competence in shooting deer. This report is part of a wider set of documents commissioned by the Deer Commission for Scotland which explored the practical systems which can be used to recognise monitor and regulate competence to shoot deer. Current methods for assessing methods of competence are outlined and reviewed, including formal qualifications and Food Standards Agency 'Trained Hunter Status'. Overall the report finds that although there are methods to assess competence there are gaps in what and who they assess. Legislative and voluntary approaches could be explored to address these limitations.

A number of limitations in the current methods for assessing competence are identified, including, 1) no formal training or assessment for night shooting, 2) there is no test or demonstration of competence in the open season and for those individuals who may be exempt, 3) there is currently no formal training or method of demonstrating the skills outlined in the Best Practice Guides and 4) there are inconsistencies between current methods of assessment.

The paper provides a commentary on the “Wild Deer Best Practice Event” hosted at Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries and Galloway, 27-28 October 2010, conducted by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The seminar included discussion on, 1) planning and habitat assessment, 2) deer behavior, 3) welfare and responsibility, 4) carcass hygiene, 5) effective syndicate and 6) rifle shooting. The paper provides an outline of deer management and an educational programme for hunters in Scotland. (N.B. paper is in Japanese)

The report provides a review on the role of natural mortality (e.g. predation and climate) on the dynamics of red and roe deer populations in the UK and Europe. This review is based on evidence from published and unpublished literature. The report provides an overview of national statistics on cull and non cull losses. Due to the potential for national statistics to underestimate levels of natural mortality the review also considers data from long term studies with marked animals and carcase surveys from intensive study areas. Specific agents of mortality, including predation (red fox on roe deer, lynx and wolf) and road traffic accidents are discussed. The relative roles of cull and non-cull mortality in Scotland are examined.

The report reviews the different methods and options available for collecting cull data. This was a desk review of different systems currently utilised in 24 European countries (other than the UK). The report analyses the different administrative systems and licensing systems, as well as cull statistics and the requirements to make statutory cull returns and the mechanisms in place to ensure return and accuracy of the data. The types and amount of detail of data collected is discussed, highlighting large variation between different countries. Methods of data handling and storage are outlined alongside a discussion on carcase tagging. These discussions are summarised in relation to their application to Scotland.

A report reviewing the options used to assess competence in deer hunting in 10 countries from Europe, 6 American states and 4 Canadian provinces. This report is part of a wider set of documents commissioned by the Deer Commission for Scotland which explored the practical systems which can be used to recognise monitor and regulate competence to shoot deer. The report draws on the results on a survey completed by phone and written questionnaire of representatives from hunting organisations in the different countries. The findings highlighted that all countries surveyed have a test and/or assessment which hunters need to to demonstrate their competence to be allowed to hunt. There was a suggestion by many that any competence test 'should comply with International Hunter Education Association standards' this would help to reduce restrictions between countries.

In relation to a Scottish assessment system, the type and scope of the test(s) should be tailored to 'the purpose of the assessment'. The purpose could be relatively focused (e.g. reducing hunting accidents) and so only require a short course of training, whereas others may have a broad purpose (e.g. deer welfare, food safety). This require longer training time and have higher costs.

A report reviewing the systems used to monitor competence in 11 European countries, 4 American states and 2 Canadian provinces. This report is part of a wider set of documents commissioned by the Deer Commission for Scotland which explored the practical systems which can be used to recognise monitor and regulate competence to shoot deer. Representatives of authorities responsible for hunting were surveyed by phone and written questionnaire. The report draws on and outlines the results from the survey. Broadly the results identified that a newly introduced system for monitoring competence needs to be 'simple to understand and administer' and the purpose must be clear. The report discusses 4 potential options for to introduce a monitoring system, 1) ensuring public safety, 2) safeguarding deer welfare, 3) ensuring food safety and 4) deer populations.

A report reviewing the systems that could be used to monitor competence in Scotland. The report is based on findings from phone and written questionnaire of representative of authorities responsible for hunting in 8 European countries (these had similarities with Scotland in hunting culture, history and ethics), 4 American states and 2 Canadian provinces. The report outlines and discusses the outcomes of the survey and how this could help to inform a monitoring system in Scotland. The report ends with a list of principles for monitoring hunters' competence in Scotland, including, an agreed set of standards, a comprehensive, nation wide system, transparency and simple to administer/submit data. Four options for monitoring hunters' competence in Scotland are outlined, 1) ensuring public safety (operator and others), 2) safeguarding deer welfare (shot and dependent), 3) ensuring food safety (minimising contamination and clear traceability) and 4) deer biology behaviour and habitat.

The study examined the impact of changing climates on the abundance of Ixodes ricinus ticks. The study was conducted in Scotland using altitudinal gradients as a proxy alongside other variables including hosts, vegetation and weather effects. The study sites were located on 9 hills of open moorland habitat. The results indicated a positive association between deer abundance and tick abundance, however, alongside this was a strong negative association of tick abundance with altitude. From the results the authors inferred that ticks may become more abundant in higher altitudes in response to warming climates. This has wider implications on pathogen prevalence due to the higher occurrence of transmission hosts at higher altitudes (including red grouse and mountain hares).

The report outlines the means of estimating the numbers of deer shot that do not go through game dealers and are instead eaten at home or distributed to friends (known as domestic consumption). If deer carcasses are sold it is required by law that it is recorded through a game keeper. There are two methods that can be used to estimate domestic consumption, 1) comparison of cull returns with dealer records and 2) surveys of stalkers. Data is provided to compare cull and venison dealer data from the last 10 years, with 16% of carcasses consumed domestically. The limitations of this method are discussed (see also 'A report on limitations of data currently collected' by the same author). A survey of stalkers indicated a higher domestic consumption percentage, again the limitations of this approach is discussed.

The report builds on a draft position statement on wildlife welfare set out by SNH that set out the 'essential principles' on welfare the organisation adopts. This report presents how these principles can be applied to individual animals. Welfare is regarded as a spectrum from negative/bad welfare to positive/good welfare that an individual animal can be on at any time. A range of findings are discussed in the report including, promotion of positive welfare, animal responses to challenges that may influence welfare and an animal's freedom and capacity to react to external challenges. Variation between species is discussed in relation to how this may influence the behavioural responses to external challenges. The report highlights that welfare should be regarded as relational to the status as perceived and judged by the animal itself.

Methods for culling wild red deer were compared by observing behaviour and collecting post mortem samples from wild deer shot: (i) by a single stalker during daytime; (ii) by more than one stalker during daytime; (iii) by using a helicopter for the deployment of stalkers and carcase extraction; or (iv) by a single stalker at night, and compared with farmed red deer shot in a field or killed at a slaughterhouse. Culling by a single stalker during the day and shooting in a field were the most accurate in achieving placement of a shot in a target area, but when compared across all methods, there were no significant differences in the percentages of deer that were either wounded or appeared to have died immediately after the first shot. Plasma cortisol concentrations in deer shot using helicopter assistance were similar to those in deer at the slaughterhouse, but higher than deer shot at night or during the day by a single stalker, or in a field. Deer shot using helicopter assistance and also deer culled by a collaborative and single stalking during the day had lower muscle glycogen concentrations than those culled by a single stalker at night. There was no evidence that a particular culling method was associated with an increased risk of accidental or pre-culling injury. If a helicopter is used to assist culling, the deer are more likely to be disturbed before they are shot and therefore, measures should be taken to minimise the disturbance to the deer.

There was no evidence that a particular culling method was associated with an increased risk of accidental or pre-culling injury. If a helicopter is used to assist culling, the deer are more likely to be disturbed before they are shot and therefore, measures should be taken to minimise the disturbance to the deer.

The research compared four population management methods used in the city of Bloominton, Minnesota. The methods used to reduce the deer population were, 1) controlled hunts in large parks, 2) opportunistic hunting by conservation officers, 3) sharpshooting over bait by park rangers, and 4) sharpshooting over bait by police officers on smaller public land. Collectively the four methods reduced the winter deer density by 46% and deer-vehicle collisions by 30%. The costs of management methods used should be balanced against the economic benefits produced including vehicle repair costs, improved road and public safety and reduced costs in deer damage to vegetation.

Sharpshooting over bait was deemed to be the most adaptable of the methods used and it was argued that this method could be used in many urban situations.

there is evidence that lead bullets are a source of contamination for scavenging birds and mammals. With this in mind, copper bullets were trialled at three varied UK sites during deer control operations undertaken to achieve nature conservation objectives. Their accuracy and killing power were recorded and compared to that of traditional lead bullets. No significant differences were found in accuracy or killing power. These results, coupled with experience elsewhere, suggest that copper bullets are a viable alternative to lead bullets.

Further restrictions on the use of lead ammunition should be considered, to encourage a switch to non-toxic ammunition across terrestrial habitats. This would be a proportionate response to the problems associated with lead ingestion.

We investigated in a study on red deer whether rates of peptide and glucose transport in the small intestines are also reduced during winter as part of the thrifty phenotype of winter-acclimatized animals, or whether transport rates are increased during winter in order to exploit poor forage more efficiently. Our results support the latter hypothesis. We found in a feeding experiment that total energy intake was considerably lower during winter despite ad libitum feeding. Together with reduced food intake, mass of visceral organs was significantly lower and body fat reserves were used as metabolic fuel in addition to food. However, efficacy of nutrient absorption seemed to be increased simultaneously. Extraction of crude protein from forage was higher in winter animals, at any level of crude protein intake.

Reduced appetite of red deer during winter avoids energy expenditure for unproductive search of scarce food and further renders the energetically costly maintenance of a large gut and visceral organs unnecessary. Nevertheless, extraction of nutrients from forage is more efficient in the winter to attenuate an inevitably negative energy balance.

A practical guide to deer management and stalking within urban areas, written by a deer manager in the Glasgow area. The increase in deer numbers within urban areas has resulted in poaching, deer vehicle collisions, negative impacts on agriculture and forestry. The welfare of deer, consequently, is suffering. The guide provides practical advice for managing deer in urban areas, including identifying where management approaches may be more negatively perceived.

Qualified deer managers are needed in urban areas. Urban deer management is reducing incidents of deer vehicle collisions, reduce poaching and also fulfills the legal obligations for landowners in deer management.

Urban deer management is not always perceived as positively as upland deer stalking experiences. There are also difficulties in managing deer in more built up areas and where there are relatively larger human populations.

The aim of the research was to analyse the public perceptions of wild deer management issues, hunting effectiveness and changes in perception before and after a deer hunt. These relative changes in perception were used as an indicator of the overall 'cultural carrying capacity' to shotgun-archery deer hunting. Three surveys were carried out across a seven year period with all residents of a community in Groton, Connecticut. Overall hunting was perceived to reduce the deer population, deer damage to landscaped areas and spread of disease, e.g. Lyme disease. The hunt was perceived to be conducted as 'good to excellent' with some residents who initially did not support hunting would do so in the future.

Hunting as a management tool is more likely to be perceived as beneficial to and supported by a community if it is 'fast, safe and maximizes harvest opportunities'. All areas that may be impacted by the deer population should be targeted in order to maximize a hunts success and satisfaction from the local community. The authors recommend that to help evaluate the hunt success the key concerns about a high deer population in a community should be documented before and after hunts.

The authors identify the difficulty of agreeing an 'optimum' deer population level based on multiple stakeholder views. This can influence the use of cultural carrying capacity as a guideline for managing deer in residential areas. The authors argue that there have not been studies that have identified the point at which the cultural carrying capacity for deer has been achieved within a community.

An overview of the challenges related to overabundant white-tailed deer populations in suburban areas. The challenges raised are largely related to the potential impacts on people within these areas as well as highlighting the decline in deer herd health as habitat becomes scarce or degraded within the suburban areas. The paper also outlines potential obstacles associated with suburban deer population control and potential management methods that could be utilised including, hunting, sharpshooting, trap and translocate, trap and euthanasia, fencing, fertility controls, predator reintroduction, neighbour cooperation and localised options for small areas of land e.g gardens.

Local contexts must be considered when managing deer populations and the methods/approaches used. A combination of different management methods is likely to be more effective than the use of one method. The local community should be involved with deer management with clear, measurable long-term goals outlined from the outset, e.g. reduced reports of deer-vehicle collisions. This will allow for better evaluation of the management methods used.

The primary objective of the Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVC) in Scotland 2008-11 Monitoring Project has been to re-establish the DVC database built up during 2003 to 2005. The DVC Scotland Database now overall includes more than 12,500 DVC records for the ten year period 2001 to 2010. Includes all trunk road, and the SSPCA live deer injured in collision report. Mapping is improved and records are available in GIS, for better assessment. Highest frequency of collisions are on parts of the A9, A835, A85, A90, M80, A1. The peak is in May-June, where 60% of collisions on motorways occur and 35% of collisions on A roads occur. There is an average of 7000 DVCs annually in Scotland, with 65-70 human injury per year. The economic cost is £75,000 per incident with human injury, leading to an annual cost of £4.9 million.

The two principal data sets which provide reliable information are : 1) deer collision reports and carcass uplift records ; and 2) information on requests to attend to live deer injured in traffic collisions handled by the SSPCA, and similar call-outs attended by Forestry Commission rangers and others.

The presence of deer in urban areas is raising challenges for deer managers to control the population at a sustainable level whilst also considering public safety. The prevalence of deer in urban areas although management plans are in place the potential impact on traffic safety has not been fully explored. Conducted in Iowa, USA within three selected urban deer management zones, the research explored the relationship between deer-vehicle collisions, deer density and land use. The research utilised secondary data on deer population and deer-vehicle collision and deer carcass removals.

Adjacent land-use can be a predictive variable in relation to the frequency of deer-vehicle collisions and resulting injury outcomes. Roadway and non-roadway factors could be used to identify locations on roadways that are likely to significantly impact deer species and safety, and mitigating measure put in place.

A key limitation identified by the authors is the lack of accuracy and consistency in reporting deer carcass removal and deer-vehicle crashes.

The study explored the potential disturbance impact on wild deer diet composition from human recreational activities. The study was undertaken in the Scottish Highlands in spring (when recreational activity is high) and winter (when recreation activity is lower). Faecal samples were analysed in three habitat types, grassland, heather moorland and woodland with sites chosen close to a track (more disturbed) and at a distance from the track (less disturbed). In disturbed grass and woodland sites in spring, faecal evidence identifies a lower grassy diet and higher woody diet, This may highlight a wider behavioural response of a need for greater vigilance in exposed grassland to seek cover. In contrast, faecal evidence from all disturbed sites in winter indicated a more grassy diet with less heather than faeces from less-disturbed sites. This may highlight the seasonal decline in recreation and increase in hunting which would reverse the disturbance levels as hunting is not normally carried out in areas used for public recreation.

Reducing disturbance of deer in open grassland may bring nutritional benefits for deer.

To be completed

The paper investigates the factors affecting calf survival between 1971 and 1976 in the red deer population of the North Block of the Isle of Rhum, Scotland. On average, 18% of all calves born died before the end of September and a further 11 % died during the winter and early spring. There was no overall difference in mortality between stag and hind calves. However, light-born hind calves were more likely to die than light-born stag calves whereas heavy-born stag calves were more likely to die than heavy-born hind calves. Mortality during the first 6 months of life was higher among the offspring of young and old hinds than among those of 7-10-year-olds. Overall mortality did not differ between calves born to milk and yeld hinds. However, medium weight calves born to yeld hinds were more likely to die than similar calves born to milk hinds. Winter mortality was higher among the offspring of hinds where population density was highest. Very light calves were more likely to die in summer than heavier calves. Late-born calves showed higher mortality than those born early or within the main birth period.

The amount of wounding during routine culling is an important factor in the welfare of wild deer. Little information exists on factors determining shooting accuracy and wounding rates under field conditions in the UK. In this study, 102 anonymous stalkers collected data on the outcomes and circumstances of 2281 shots. Using hot-deck imputation and generalised linear mixed modelling, we related the probability that a shot hit its target, and the probability that the shot killed the deer if it was hit, to 28 variables describing the circumstances of the shot. Overall, 96% of deer were hit, of which 93% were killed outright. A reduced probability of hitting the target was associated with an uncomfortable firing position, too little time available, shooting off elbows or freehand, taking the head or upper neck as point of aim, a heavily obscured target, a distant target, shooting at females, lack of shooting practice and a basic (or no) stalker qualification. An increase in the likelihood of wounding was associated with an uncomfortable firing position, shooting with insufficient time, a distant target (only when time was not sufficient), a bullet weight below 75 grains, a target concealed in thicket or on the move and an area rarely stalked.

To maximise stalking success and deer welfare, we recommend that stalkers ensure a comfortable firing position, use a gun rest, aim at the chest, use bullets heavier than 75 grains, avoid taking a rushed shot, shoot a distant animal only if there is plenty of time, fire only when the target is stationary, avoid shooting at an obscured animal, take care when the ground is unfamiliar, and do shooting practice at least once a month. The high miss rate of basic-level stalkers suggests that training should include additional firing practice under realistic shooting conditions.

The report provides an account of the skills, qualifications and training of wildlife management in Scotland alongside the capacity to deliver skills training in deer management. The findings are drawn from results of a questionnaire and focus groups. The findings discuss 1) the nature of the game and wildlife sector including spread of involvement, gender variation, age employment and key roles within the sector, 2) the level and role of qualifications, 3) the skills and current proficiency of respondents and 4) learning and training in relation to Further Education provision and specialist short courses as well as experiences of further training by the respondents. The findings and recommendations from the report could help to inform the development of qualifications and training in the game and wildlife sector.

Habitats within protected areas are monitored to assess and evaluate their condition and detect any trends. This monitoring does not extend beyond the border of the protected area and there is no obligation for landowners to monitor their habitats in the same way. Undertaking semi-structured interviews the research evaluated the uptake of habitat impact assessment methods as an innovative approach to red deer management. The paper also highlights the use of Best Practice Guidance and perceptions of this guidance by deer managers.

Assessing an innovative methodology should be undertaken at the early stages to highlight potential barriers that would prevent the uptake of the method entirely.

Ownership, interpretation and access to data remains an issue and can impede the development of management methods. These factors often underpin perceptions of responsibility and who should provide payment for habitat assessment.

Roe deer and red deer were investigated during controlled disturbance trials, using implanted telemetry transmitters to record heart rate and positions of the head. Heart rates and behavior were compared before, during and after various stimuli. Heart rate and activity were also continuously recorded to obtain their normal daily and yearly patterns without disturbance. From November to June the animals were more active in the daytime, whereas in late summer and early autumn they showed pronounced night time activity. In contrast, red deer showed a relative constant ratio of day to night activity. Both roe and red deer were most active during twilight, roe deer more so at dawn, red deer more at dusk. Resting heart rate of red deer was lowest in winter, and highest in May and June. Roe deer showed less pronounced seasonal differences of resting heart rate. Lunar cycles influenced activity of red deer, but not of roe deer. Both species exhibited stronger behavioral reactions (“activation”) and heart rate increases towards optical stimuli (walking persons, dogs, equestrians and hang-gliders) than to acoustic stimuli (chain saw, radio music, dog barking) with exception of gunshots, which also elicited high reactions. Both species were more often active in the morning hours and late afternoon than at noontime. Altogether the reactions of roe deer towards stimuli were short and strong, whereas red deer showed less obvious but persisting reactions.

Roe and red deer showed different strategies of compensating after being disturbed. By roe deer the length of resting bouts were shortened on days with disturbance trials, but the number of resting bouts per day increased, so that the total activity budgets for daytime as well as for 24 hours were not influenced by disturbance trials. Red deer were more active during daytime when disturbed without changing their night activity (total daily activity increased), however, they had lower resting heart rates on days with disturbance trials. Recommendations are given to minimize disturbances of deer.

This best practice guide explains the provisions for close season shooting and the best practice that should be followed in England and Wales. The aim of the guide is to help support and promote close season shooting that is practiced in as safe and humane way as possible. The guide includes information on legislation, licensing, best practice, welfare in relation to breeding females and dependents, shooting and sale of venison.

This Practice Note provides information on how to identify deer species, the potential damage caused by deer, potential management approaches to help prevent damage and contact information for advice on deer management. The note is aimed primarily at those who are not familiar with deer management and who may need to consider deer management in the future due to the increasing presence of deer, particularly in lowland areas.

The note provides 3 principles to manage deer impacts, 1) the design and management of the habitat (this is particularly important for woodland habitats), 2) physical protection of vulnerable areas (e.g. fences, plastic netting, deer deterrents) and 3) humane culling of deer to maintain the population at an 'acceptable level'. A co-operative management approach between neighbours is also highlighted as being 'vital' for success in deer management.

Deer provide numerous recreational and aesthetic benefits. With increasing deer populations in suburban areas, however, incidents of conflicts with people are also growing. This training guide provides an overview of the complex issues and challenges and is aimed at anyone who is involved with suburban deer management. It outlines approaches and methods for managing and controlling deer populations. Management of suburban deer should be aimed at controlling (and reducing where necessary) deer numbers to a level that is acceptable and tolerated by the community. In order to achieve this a clear set of management goals should be defined from the outset. This will allow outcomes to be evaluated post management implementation.

The management techniques outlined within the guide include; nonlethal management (e.g. repellents, habit modification, fencing), approaches to minimize deer-vehicle collisions (e.g. warning signs, roadside reflectors), population reduction options (e.g. trap and translocate, sharpshooting) and experimental deer management (e.g. fertility controls). It is often the application of a combination of methods that can be most effective.

There remains confusion around fertility control approaches to wild deer management and despite decades of research effective antifertility programmes do not exist. Antifertility drugs are classified as experimental and therefore appropriate permits are necessary for them to be used. So far they have only been used for research projects.

The incorporation of stakeholder knowledge with data from quantitative models can modify the predictions of wildlife distribution and abundance. The use of participatory GIS, allows stakeholders to assist in the refinement of landscape-scale deer management data. The collaboration of stakeholders can thus help contribute to incomplete scientific knowledge.

Stakeholders can have up-to-date knowledge of species which can be particularly helpful when data sources are not as up-to-date for modelling deer abundance and distribution.

There are no practicable techniques available for estimating deer densities at a regional level.

The primary objective of the 'Deer/Vehicle Collisions Project' was to build, for the first time, a UK database of road traffic collisions involving deer during the study period. The project was launched in England in January 2003 by the Deer Initiative with funding from the Highways Agency. Additional funding was made available by the Scottish Executive allowing the project to include full coverage of Scotland in June 2003. Data was collated (from various sources including, regional police forces, local authority road safety or accident investigation units, animal welfare organisations, Forestry Commission and public sightings), verified and evaluated with the aim that the database could then be examined to help asses the overall frequency of deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) within the UK, explore any regional variation and identify current or potential future areas of high DVC occurrence. The project also investigated other influential factors in relation to DVCs including, season, road type and roadside habitat. Results from the database have helped to inform ecological impact assessments and mitigation measures for some major trunk roads in Scotland and England. The conclusions of the report highlight large numbers of DVCs across the UK. In particular, Scotland is highlighted as having a 'serious and continuing' problem of DVCs, in relation to animal welfare, human injury and economic costs of damage caused by the collisions.

This account comes from the Species Action Framework Handbook. It outlines some of the challenges and opportunities associated with managing red and roe deer in Scotland.

The paper explores the multiple functions associated with hunting beyond the traditional purpose of supplying meat. The paper draws on a study that analysed hunting in 8 study areas across Europe and Africa. The results highlight the trade-offs between ecological, economic and social functions of hunting, e.g. biodiversity conservation, recreation and contribution to rural economies. The role of institutions within these trade-offs are examined to understand the challenges and conflicts that arise from hunting and arrangements that have been developed to address these challenges. The paper ends with a discussion on the wider implications of the findings in relation to policy and institutional design.

The research aimed to identify the most effective research method to examine public perceptions of deer management. It evaluated methods including, focus groups, interviews (face-to-face, in-depth and telephone) and surveys (postal and online, including promoted via social media). Focus groups and postal surveys were identified as as providing the best data quality and for establishing people's perception, awareness and understanding. Email surveys had the poorest quality and lowest response rate. Surveys promoted via social media were not successful. Quantitative and qualitative data needs to be collected to gain a more holistic understanding of the perceptions.

The potential of social media to obtain information and communicate with younger people could be a potential useful approach, however, this requires further examination as an approach. Training in the use of social media may be required. Visitor perceptions should also be included within research on wild deer perceptions as deer can be an important factor in visitor experience to Scotland.

The paper examines the role of disturbance from human recreational activities on the movements and behaviour of red deer. Results were gained from GPS tracking collars on red deer stags from a herd whose feeding grounds were close to a popular walking track in the Highlands of Scotland. The study was conducted across 2 years and the locations of collared deer recorded at 2 hour intervals on typical busy days and quiet days between May and June. The results are discussed in relation to variation between days and length of distance traveled. Deer did not appear to compensate with increased use of grassland at night but moved to higher ground dominated by heather moorland. The results identify that disturbance can alter the behaviour and potentially diet composition.

The paper examines the influence of roe deer population numbers and distribution on the regeneration potential of older or uneconomic woods in forests in the south of Scotland. The different types of damage and failure of earlier methods are discussed. The discussions are based on two comparative studies on roe deer populations which identified deer habits and seasonal behaviour.

The importance of training for deer stalkers and the use of the right equipment to manage deer populations is stressed.

Here, we investigate the effects of the mother’s presence in a population of red deer (Cervus elaphus) on the Isle of Rum, Scotland, which is the subject of a long-term, individual-based study. We compared measures of performance including antler growth in young males and age at first reproduction in females and survival of deer with mothers still alive against those that have lost their mothers (orphans). We show that orphaning both before and after weaning increases the risk of a natural death for both sexes. For males, no maternal benefit was detectable past 24 months of age while, for females, post-weaning benefits continued throughout life. Orphaning resulted in compromised male physical condition as measured by a reduced probability of growing antlers by 16 months of age while no evidence for compromised reproduction was found in females.

post-weaning maternal associations affect the development and survival of offspring.

The paper is in relation to a paper presented at the Future for Deer Conference, held on the 28 & 29 March 2003 in Buxton. The paper discusses the baselines with regard to deer management in the UK and contextual information on stalking operations in the UK. This is followed by a discussion on standards that have developed in response to the needs of the industry. The findings were drawn from a questionnaires sent to members of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation who identified themselves as deer stalkers or who were interested in becoming involved in deer stalking.

The authors identified the data was a little dated and therefore continuous surveying of stalkers and stalking practices would be necessary.

The number and sites of permanent wound tracts in the carcases of 943 wild culled red deer (Cervus elaphus) were recorded. During the peak period of the red deer rut there was a significant increase in the number of these tracts in the carcases, which was associated with a decrease from 89 per cent to 71 per cent in the probability of the first permanent wound tract also being the last (the terminal probability). There were significantly more permanent wound tracts in the carcases of one group (predominantly males) than in a second group (predominantly females and calves). In carcases with a single tract in the trunk, in which the heart and lungs were also examined, 80 per cent had tracts involving the heart and/or lungs, the recommended thoracic target organs. Tracts involving vital structures in the neck were also common, with 15-3 per cent of the carcases with a single permanent tract having damage limited to cervical structures.

The examination of carcases grouped together for processing proposed is a useful method for monitoring the standards of deer culling, provided that carcase data are collected from a wide range of submitting deer managers and sampling days, to reflect the importance of these factors in introducing extra variability into data.

The research aimed to improve understanding of sustainable deer management, communicate the interests of all stakeholders, understand the role of deer management groups and land managers in delivering sustainable deer management and to explore the management mechanisms and support tools (e.g. SRDP funding) to underpin sustainable deer management.

The key objective is the promotion of the land managers role as individuals and as members of a deer management group and providing assistance to fulfill their role. The development of a web based tool to provide advice, information and guidance on individual roles and actions that are required and how they can be achieved is provided as an example. The project developed 38 criteria to help evaluate sustainable deer management under the headings of, environmental, economic, social and technical.

Three groups of factors which might affect the blood biochemistry of red deer were examined. These were the wounding site (head/neck versus chest), the stalker who collected the blood (coupled with the geographical area where each deer was shot), and the sex and nutritional status of the deer. The activities of muscle enzymes, creatine kinase, aspartate amino transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, were markedly higher in the plasma of deer shot in the chest as compared with those shot in the head or neck; the plasma also looked different. Other biochemical measures were unaffected by the wounding site. Blood collected by one stalker from the chest cavity had higher activity of the liver enzyme, glutamate dehydrogenase, higher concentration of potassium and lower concentrations of sodium and chloride than blood collected by another stalker from a knife wound in the base of the neck. Cortisol was unaffected by the wound site nor by the method of collecting blood, but was highest in the stags living in a more mountainous region and in those deer that had to be shot twice before they died. Stags, which were shot in the rutting season and were probably fasting, had significantly higher concentrations of free fatty acids than hinds. Lactating hinds had significantly less fat on their kidneys than non-lactating hinds and stags. All hinds, which were shot in winter, had lower concentrations of urea than stags, which were shot in the autumn.

The method of collecting blood had very little effect on blood biochemistry.

In this paper the authors analysed the results of surveys of parasites and non-specific signs of diseases carried out on organs from 638 red and 107 sika deer culled in four regions of Scotland between 1991 and 1997. Infections of the lung by Elaphostrongylus spp. were significantly greater in red than sika deer. Older animals were more heavily infected with Elaphostrongylus spp. and Sarcocystis spp., and infections with Sarcocystis spp. tended to be heavier in more recent years.

The results suggest that a combination of key indicator parasite species and non-specific signs of disease may be useful for monitoring the health of wildlife populations at a national scale. However, they also demonstrate that such monitoring needs to be long-term, carried out according to standard protocols and at an appropriate resolution to enable integration with data on other potentially influential environmental factors.

To be completed

The research evaluated the responses of deer biologists at state conservation agencies in relation to urban and suburban deer management in 41 states in the USA where deer populations have been increasing. These opinions were compared to those expressed in public opinion surveys. The survey asked questions in relation to current deer management techniques being used, what techniques have been used in the past and which techniques were felt to be the most effective in controlling deer populations. Despite an agreement between biologists and public bodies on the reasons for deer management the preference for management approaches and tools can vary greatly.

The authors recommend that state agencies should survey constituents beyond questions of acceptability of management techniques. Surveys should also consider the beliefs and concerns about deer management.

An introduction to the presentations given during the Urban Deer Awareness Day, 2014, filmed by 'RoeStalker'. Talks included issues related to changes in deer population densities in urban areas, disease transmission, contraceptive methods, undertaking hunting management in urban areas and public perceptions of deer in urban areas. Video time is 15 minutes. There are full videos of some of the presentations included in this video uploaded by the same person. To access these click on the 'RoeStalker' profile underneath the video and search through the uploaded videos.

It is important to be aware of public perceptions of deer management, in particular lethal management, and adapt how methods may be undertaken to reduce negative perceptions, e.g. not shooting near pathways, timing of the shoot when people are not around, wearing discreet clothing. For disease transmission it is important for managers to know how to identify diseases. Two diseases that are not yet in the UK but are at high risk of entering are chronic wasting disease and epizootic hemorrhagic disease. Contraception as a management method was not regarded as being effective.

The study calibrated and validated the data collected on mammal monitoring by 155 volunteers in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire. Volunteer tasks included small mammal trapping and handling, surveying and censusing for badgers, estimating deer population sizes (dung counting) and transect surveys for mammal field signs. Volunteers were analysed against age, gender, previous experience, physical fitness and aptitude on volunteer performance variables. Findings from the study were 1) accurate and reliable data was generated by tasks that involved techniques that could be taught without specialist training, 2) half a days training for an individual task could produce more reliable data, and 3) volunteer teams provided more time savings for many tasks. Volunteer produced data generally compared well to data gathered by more specialist methods or by professional researchers. Volunteers did require more time for tasks and despite underestimating population sizes, results were largely consistent. On a broader level, volunteering can help to raise environmental awareness among volunteers and improve individual understanding of woodland ecology.

To be completed

The paper reviews the current and possible future infections of deer in the UK which could impact on livestock or human health. The potential impact of increasing deer abundance and the creation of disease reservoirs through multi-deer assemblages are discussed. External factors, including climatic changes, are explored in relation to the impact on increased pathogen and vector prevalence. The paper identifies a need for a monitoring strategy for wildlife diseases, in particular, in relation to wild deer infections in the UK.

The paper draws on a study of red and roe deer habitat use in pine forests. The study counted pellet groups during the early spring over 4 years. The results highlight that habitats which offered food and cover were more intensely used with the role of forage important when the cover was sufficient. Habitat use and the associated variation between red and roe deer are discussed.

In hunted deer populations the presence of cover was identified as a key factor, even in areas that did not have large predators. The authors recommend that the introduction of forest understories into mature pine forests should be promoted in big game management.