Road traffic accidents and public safety

The Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) has authorised night shooting to take place on a 3.5 kilometre stretch of the A9 trunk road near Dunkeld to protect public safety.
The move follows concerns raised about the number of deer-related road accidents on the route and the risk this posed to public safety.

Fallow and roe deer living in woodland areas close to the main road were moving to the roadside verges adjacent to the A9 to feed at night, often straying onto the busy road itself.

Atholl Estate, which owns the land, has culled deer on the surrounding land for a number of years as part of its normal deer management operations. However, culling within the woodland during the day has failed to significantly reduce the problem.
In November of this year Tayside Police reported 12 carcasses by the side of the road between 11th and 21st November and raised concerns about public safety.

Night shooting will take place on the road verges from Tuesday 13th December, under Section 10(4) of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996.

DCS Director Nick Reiter said:

“The operation is being carried out on the grounds of public safety. A high number of deer carcasses were found by the roadside on a busy stretch of road in a short space of time. “What is being done now is designed to protect public safety in the short-term before there is a serious road accident.”

The night shooting operation will be carried out by staff from Atholl Estate working in conjunction with DCS and Tayside Police, between the hours of 11pm and 5am. Police officers will close the section of the A9 temporarily for periods of up to 10 minutes while the operation takes place.