Drummossie seminar

Over 200 people attended a seminar hosted by the Deer Commission with a running theme discussing the interplay between woodland, woodland edge and the open hill. The seminar was in recognition of the desire for more woodland creation to mitigate climate change. The discussions challenged the current management approach and whether it is robust enough to meet the aspirations for more woodland, changing balance of deer species/densities and sporting demands. Discussion also tackled the change to the landscape impact on the traditional sporting package that we offer in Scotland and whether there is an opportunity to develop additional new and varied ‘sporting’ packages that might attract new participants. Topics presented by individuals drawn from Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Deer Initiative and private estate deer managers included:

Increased Woodland Cover - Impact on Management Techniques

• 25% of land cover to be woodland – threat or opportunity? Presented by Hugh Clayden FCS
• Increasing woodland cover – to fence or not? Presented by Duncan Stone, SNH
• In the woodland fringe are sika and roe more of a management challenge? Presented by Willie Lamont FCS

Increased Woodland Cover - Challenging Our Perceptions

• Sika stalking in Japanese woodlands – the differences between Hokkaido and Scotland. Presented by Edward Dyson, The Deer Initiative
• The deer stalking package – Must the tradition evolve? Presented by Niall Rowantree

John Milne, Chairman DCS also provided an overview and chaired an Open Forum session.

(To Download pdf versions of the presentations click on highlighted text above)