What are the Close Seasons and when do they apply?
Close Seasons are defined for each species of deer living wild in Scotland. The system was introduced in the 1950s on both welfare and sporting grounds. In terms of welfare it was argued that the seasons would protect females with dependent offspring in the summer and males during the winter and early spring. In terms of sporting it was argued that the seasons helped prevent poaching and the loss of sporting stags when they were on their wintering ground.
On unenclosed ground deer should not be culled during the Close Seasons without authorisation from DCS. Authorisations can only be given for reasons relating to protection of natural habitats, agriculture, forestry or public safety. On enclosed ground owner occupiers have the right to cull deer during the Close Season if damage is occurring to agriculture or forestry.
Below is a table showing the Open and Close Season in Scotland. Different dates apply in Scotland and Wales.
| Species of deer |
Open Season |
Close Season |
| Red deer stags |
1 July – 20 Oct |
21 Oct – 30 June |
| Red deer hinds |
21 Oct – 15 Feb |
16 Feb – 20 Oct |
| Sika deer stags |
1 July – 20 Oct |
21 Oct – 30 June |
| Sika deer hinds |
21 Oct – 15 Feb |
16 Feb – 20 Oct |
| Fallow deer bucks |
1 Aug – 30 April |
1 May – 31 July |
| Fallow deer does |
21 Oct – 15 Feb |
16 Feb – 20 Oct |
| Roe deer bucks |
1 April – 20 Oct |
21 Oct – 31 Mar |
| Roe deer does |
21 Oct – 31 Mar |
1 April – 20 Oct |
Muntjac deer are not mentioned in the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 and have no statutory Close Season in Scotland.
Why is DCS proposing a change to the Close Seasons?
DCS carried out a consultation with the deer industry late last year and into this year, the findings of which suggested that the Close Season system on its own is ineffective in ensuring the welfare and sustainable management of Scotland’s deer species.
So how would the changes be identified and how can one tell whether the new methods will be suitable?
The existing Close Seasons will remain in place over the next five years while DCS works with the deer sector and other interested parties to develop and test new methods.
Any proposed changes would be assessed through consultation with the deer sector and others to ensure that full account is taken of their expertise. DCS also plans to work with other interested parties on a set of pilot projects in different parts of Scotland. The overarching aim of these projects will be to develop and test new methods of achieving sustainable deer management in Scotland.
So are there already any changes or proposed changes affecting Close Seasons?
DCS is proposing a Register of Competence for anyone who shoots or supervises the shooting of deer. The idea behind the register is that it would apply a recognised standard of competence for all people shooting or supervising shooting. The standard of competence would evolve over time as more of those shooting deer gained formal qualifications.
Would DCS be responsible for the register?
The deer sector would need to discuss who should be given responsibility for managing the register. DCS is keen that those who shoot deer shoulder the responsibility for protecting welfare and this was conveyed in the letter to the Minister on the Seasons consultation.
How would the register be kept up to date?
An independent review of those people on the register would be required to demonstrate that it is working properly. However DCS recognises that it will be a challenge to establish a review system which is fair but not bureaucratic. It may be worthwhile for the industry to consider developing a tagging scheme using the new Wild Game Meat Regulations but other options should also be put forward for consideration.
ADVERSE IMPACTS
How does DCS define damage?
DCS has to assess damage to both private interests and public interests. In the context of private interests DCS works from the perspective of the person suffering the damage and makes an assessment from their perspective. In the context of the public interest DCS works with evidence of deterioration from a baseline.
How does DCS assess damage by deer?
DCS staff are trained to recognise the difference between the impact of different grazing animals. Where this is not possible DCS takes into account knowledge of differences in grazing patterns and relative numbers of the different species of grazing animals present on a particular site taking into account differences in body size.
What process does DCS use to address damage to natural heritage sites or threats to public safety?
DCS works closely with other government agencies to implement the Priority Site Process, using clearly defined methods to assess whether deer are causing damage. If deer are causing or are likely to cause damage, DCS enters into discussions with landowners and land managers to agree appropriate deer management measures for the future.
The process begins when DCS receives an expression of concern in which deer are suspected of causing damage to the natural heritage, agriculture, woodland or agriculture, or threatening public safety.
DCS staff then work with other Government agencies and the relevant landowners and land managers to establish whether damage is occurring, which areas are affected and to what extent, or whether deer are posing a threat to public safety. This is called the Site for Assessment stage.
The third, or Priority Site, stage occurs when it is established that deer are causing, or are likely to cause damage, or are a threat to public safety.
DCS then works in close partnership with the landowners and occupiers to establish a Deer Control Agreement which provides agreed methods to reduce damage and achieve a sustainable deer population, or mitigate the threat to public safety.
DCS also has published guidance on defining damage
AUTHORISATIONS
What are the rules allowing deer to be shot at night?
Deer can only be shot at night under authorisation from DCS. This authorisation process is separate from that required for out of season shooting. DCS can authorise the occupier of agricultural land or of woodland or any person nominated in writing by the occupier to shoot deer at night to protect agricultural land or woodland. DCS must be satisfied that the person shooting is fit and competent and it must also be satisfied that night shooting is necessary to prevent serious damage and that no other method of control would be adequate.
DCS guidance relating to the shooting of deer at night also exists and is available here
All night shooting licence applications made to DCS are carefully considered and issued only if deemed appropriate.
USE OF HELICOPTERS IN OPERATIONS by the DEER COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
The Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) uses helicopters to assist in its role of furthering the conservation, control and sustainable management of all species of wild deer in Scotland.
DCS uses helicopters in two types of operation – deer census and culling.
In deer census operations helicopters are used to fly crews over large geographical areas so that they can count the deer by sight or using equipment such as digital cameras.
Deer census work forms an important part of deer management planning and the work of DCS in relation to describing deer densities on sites where damage to the natural heritage, in particular, may be occurring.
In terms of culling operations helicopters are used specifically to assess an area before culling begins by determining the location, number and sex of deer in advance, to transport teams with rifles into and out of remote areas quickly and efficiently, to monitor the surrounding area for members of the public who could be moving towards the culling area without realising, and to retrieve deer carcasses quickly and efficiently and transport them to a larder.
In all operations using helicopters DCS uses contracted aircraft and highly trained pilots. DCS has detailed staff guidance on the use of helicopters in any operation and this is available on request.
Below is a list of questions and answers to provide further information about helicopter operations in general and to avoid misconceptions about their use.
Are deer being herded for culling using helicopters?
No. Although it is not illegal to drive deer with a helicopter, it is illegal if the intent is to kill them. If DCS had, under exceptional circumstance, a cause to undertake such activity they would be exempt from prosecution. While such circumstances might occur they would be extremely rare and in recognition of this DCS has put in place a voluntary moratorium on using helicopter to drive deer for the purposes of culling.
Are deer frightened by the noise from helicopters?
Deer can become accustomed to helicopters very quickly. However, when deer are culled, others in the herd can run away. If deer learn to associate a particular noise or object with a suspicion that they are about to be shot at then they learn to run away through the process of conditioning. This could apply to argocats, landrovers, seeing stalkers, etc.
Are helicopters not very expensive and is the use of helicopters not a waste of public money?
The cost of the use of helicopters is approximately £700 per hour. The use of helicopters has to be weighed against the benefits and need to use them in particular circumstances. When helicopters are being considered within any DCS operation, a careful cost analysis is done.
Helicopters can prove extremely useful when trying to transport stalkers into remote areas with deep snow cover. If they are not used, the people culling the deer would have to walk over considerable distances for deer and this could result in an increased level of disturbance to deer and less deer being culled.
