Authorisations

Authorisations Authorisations are issued by DCS under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. They allow individuals to cull deer in circumstances when they would not normally have the legal right to shoot them, for example to prevent deer damaging natural habitats. Authorisations also enable individuals to drive deer with vehicles in order to cull them. Authorisations are required when shooting deer in the following circumstances:

• during the Closed Season - with few exceptions shooting during this period is prohibited.
• at night - the shooting of deer is not permitted between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise.
• on land belonging to someone else - the right to shoot deer belongs to the owner of the land or those permitted to do so by the owner. In certain unusual circumstances it may be necessary to shoot deer on someone else's land without this permission.

Shooting deer at night or ‘out of season’ to prevent damage to unenclosed woodland, natural heritage or in the interests of public safety under section 5(6) still requires authorisation from DCS.

(also see: Annual Report )

Notice regarding 26(2) approvals.
 
Since 1997 DCS has issued approvals for individuals nominated to cull deer during the close seasons under Section 26(2) of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 in order to prevent serious damage to arable land, improved permanent pasture (other than moorland) or enclosed woodland).

The Deer Scotland Act 1996 requires that the Deer Commission is satisfied that under Section 26(2) d of the Act “any other person approved in writing by the Commission is a fit and competent person for the purpose.”

By issuing such an approval DCS was confirming in writing that we were satisfied that the controller nominated was ‘fit and competent’.

In October 2005 DCS introduced a “Fit and Competent Register” (See Introduction to the DCS Fit and Competent Register. DCS introduced this register in order to establish a more robust means of ascertaining the ‘fit and competent’ status of nominated controllers. Once accepted on to this register DCS writes to the individual who has applied to confirm their ‘fit and competence’ status. As anyone culling deer under DCS approvals or authorisations must now be on this register the DCS letter confirming acceptance effectively provides 26(2) approval. 
Consequently, it is no longer necessary for individuals to apply to DCS for a 26(2) approval.

For further information on authorisations, see Best Practice (temp link)

Downloadable files for all DCS Authorisations are available below. For Annual Cull Returns and Venison Returns, please click here
Guidance notes for applications	41KB
Guidance on how to give a grid reference
All in One Authorisations form (replaces previous Section 18/2 and 5/6 forms)	165KB
Section 10 (on application to DCS Inverness)
Section 19(2) to drive deer with vehicles for the purpose of deer management	102KB
Fit & Competent : Introduction (1MB)	1MB
Fit & Competent : Controllers form (103KB)	103KB
Fit & Competent : Referees form (93KB)	93KB
Authorisation Additional Controllers and Sites* (42KB)	93KB

*This workbook has 2 forms one for further controllers and the 2nd for further control sites. This form is optional, these details can be submitted on your own follow on sheets too.
Night Shooting (temp page format)

DEER (SCOTLAND) ACT 1996 – SECTION 40
NOTICE REQUIRING THE MAKING OF A RETURN OF DEER KILLED AND/OR TAKEN ALIVE

Under section 40 of the above Act 1996, DCS requires information on the number and sex of each species of deer which have been killed on lands and estate(s).
Cull Returns (temp page format)

Further details are in our Annual Report. All Authorisation requests should be made to the DCS Stirling office by telephone, 01786 446282, Fax 01786 446298 or by email.