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cassy
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Posts: 1047
Location: South West Scotland
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 Posted: Wed Jan 05, 11 12:01 pm Post subject: Giving permission to shoot deer |
 
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I've been asked if I will allow deer to be shot on my land. I've not met the person in question yet so what questions should I be asking them, please?
I mainly need to know that it will be humanely and safely done. Will membership of the BASC or the local gun club, be indicative of a certain standard or not? Do people usually take up references? Would it be normal to examine his gun license?
I also don't know what's expected of me responsibility and access wise. I've read the BASC permission doc but how long and how frequently should I allow access (realistically)?
This has come about as neighbours are concerned about 3 red deer which appear to have escaped from a local deer farm. If they are on my land, would I be expected to pay to have them shot or would the bloke take the venison as payment? I know people usually pay for shooting rights but I guess this is different as there are only 3 animals, it's more like pest control. What is the deal normally? Gralloching, do I have to dispose of the entrails or are they left for wildlife?
And finally (sorry for all the questions), should I and my neighbours be putting together a deer management plan or is that only done by large estates? The area they seem to be using is around 50 acres. I don't know how many deer are too many, in a given area. I'm willing to tolerate some damage in the name of biodiversity but the neighbours are less keen as the deer are escapees and pretty unafraid of people. What would be the best management of this group which seem to be one hind and two younger animals? They're the only red deer I've seen here and although we've had roe damage to the trees in the past, there don't seem to be that many wild deer in this exact area.
If the potential hunter was someone I knew, I would trust him to manage the deer in a sustainable manner but having not met him yet, I'd like to be better informed.
Thank you. |
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windyridge
Joined: 03 Oct 2010
Posts: 2732
Location: Up the garden from Henry
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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| Posted: Wed Jan 05, 11 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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Firstly, you don't have to let anyone onto your land unless you are 100% happy about them. You can harbour all the deer you want and it's entirely up to you, so don't let anyone pressure you into anything.
As far as a deer management plan goes, most small landowners either welcome them or take the odd one for food as and when. If you've been planting saplings I suggest a zero-tolerance policy as they will lay them waste in no time.
There is no guarantee of acceptable stalkers - there is something called the DSC or Deer Stalking Certificate, which is a nice little earner for the BASC, is used as an arse-covering exercise by police firearms depts, but is in my opinion not worth the paper it is printed on. In fact, if anyone was bragging of having a DSC I would regard it as a sign of extreme inexperience at best. Membership of BASC, the Countryside Alliance or the National Gamekeeper's Organisation means only that the person has paid their subs, but it does give them �10m public liability insurance, so you should demand proof that they have such cover.
You should not pay for someone to shoot deer on your land unless by a professional deer manager as part of a long-term plan. This is in effect a small cull which treats the deer as a pest, and is hardly an exacting job in so small an area. I'd suggest that you offer to go halves on the venison with the stalker. Deer stalking is a resource so don't go giving it away.
As far as determining who you wish to let on your land with a rifle, there are a fair few idiots out there as well as a lot of good people, so I suggest you talk to the potential stalker - making it very clear in advance that you are by no means decided and that it is up to him to get you to agree to both the cull and to him doing it - and see what you think of him. Ask for proof of insurance, ask to see his Firearms Certificate (FAC). Ask for references from other landowners for whom he has stalked. |
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cassy
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Posts: 1047
Location: South West Scotland
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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misty07
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Posts: 2223
Location: swindon wiltshire
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windyridge
Joined: 03 Oct 2010
Posts: 2732
Location: Up the garden from Henry
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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windyridge
Joined: 03 Oct 2010
Posts: 2732
Location: Up the garden from Henry
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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windyridge
Joined: 03 Oct 2010
Posts: 2732
Location: Up the garden from Henry
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cassy
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Posts: 1047
Location: South West Scotland
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Brownbear
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 14929
Location: South West
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