East Ross DMG News – August 2019

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

In May I updated you on the Habitat Monitoring Programme that is now in place within the Group. Every aspect of the management of Scotland’s ‘Deer Population’ has been the subject of a thorough review by Scottish Natural Heritage, acting on instructions from the Scottish Government. Every Deer Management Group throughout Scotland has been thoroughly assessed, and marks have been given for the effectiveness of Group administration, the quality of training, and the huge contribution made by Landowners, their staff, and SNH towards ensuring the well-being of deer. Furthermore, the issue of...

Read More

East Ross DMG News – May 2019

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

In February I advised that the Deer Management Group were on the point of undertaking a Habitat Impact Assessment for the ground that falls within the responsibility of the various estates that make up the Group. This important discipline is enshrined within our Deer Management Plan. We were fortunate to obtain the services of Dr Cathy Mayne of Mountain Environment Services, supported by Scottish Natural Heritage. Cathy’s primary task was to establish 120 random fixed survey plots, with half focussing on blanket bog and the other half on dwarf shrub heath. With the plots in place and...

Read More

East Ross DMG News – February 2019

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

Following the ‘Review of Deer Management’ in 2016, the Cabinet Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, set out the Scottish Government’s expectations for deer management throughout the country. SNH have been charged with carrying out assessments and reviewing how each Deer Management Group is performing against a number of Benchmarks. The Easter Ross Deer Management Group has been working closely with SNH staff to highlight strengths and weaknesses. Our group is formed by owners and staff who meet regularly, work to an agreed Management Plan and continue to strive to adopt Best practice methods. Our...

Read More

East Ross DMG News – August 2018

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

At their July meeting, the Group met with Scottish Natural Heritage to review the developing Deer Management Plan. Having come through one of the hardest winters, we then had to cope with one of the driest summers, bringing with it the risk of wildfires. We felt it important not to rush into major changes in management, but to carefully assess the deer stock, the habits upon which they live, and to adapt as the rest of the year unfolds. We all agreed that we would inform visiting stalkers of the difficulties that the past year has presented, so that they will be prepared if managers decide...

Read More

East Ross DMG News – May 2018

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

Monitoring deer numbers following a very hard winter               As part of the Group’s Deer Management Plan, the members have agreed to undertake periodic helicopter counts, in order to accurately record the numbers of deer within the combined acreage of the land they are responsible for. This an expensive but important management practice and we work closely with Scottish Natural Heritage who co-ordinate and grant aid the operation. The data gathered enables agreed cull targets to be set for each participating estate, to ensure that the deer population and the habitat within which it...

Read More

East Ross DMG News – November 2017

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

The Stag season is now over and the Group has successfully completed the cull target set within our Deer Management Plan, agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage. Staff on all the estates within the group are now embarking on the culling of a number of hinds, in order to maintain the balance of the deer stock and to ensure that various habitats are protected. The management of deer is a major financial commitment to most estates and this year Sporting Rates were imposed on all rural land, whether shooting takes place or not. Effectively this is a Land Tax by the Government, and differing rates...

Read More

East Ross DMG News – August 2017

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

The stalking season is now well under way and the members of the group will have commenced the agreed programme of culling stags. The numbers for each estate have been decided following a deer population count, carried out by Scottish Natural Heritage, using a helicopter. This enables the group to know how many stags, hinds and calves are present on the land. Whilst an income can be achieved from letting stalking, the costs of staffing, equipping and managing this rural business are high. All staff have to achieve approved levels of competence in order to manage the deer stock, and to handle...

Read More

East Ross DMG News – February 2017

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

The Group will be meeting in early March to review the progress undertaken by all the member Estates, as the hind culling season nears its end. Scottish Natural Heritage worked closely with the Group to set targets for deer numbers within the approved Deer Management Plan. This management objective has been difficult at times, as hinds do tend to wander across boundaries, from one estate to another. Estate staff have taken the opportunity, whenever possible, to work together to achieve the agreed goals. Habitat monitoring and improvement continues, with plans for further staff training and...

Read More

Edderton Community News – December 2016

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

Edderton Community News – December 2016

Read More

Edderton Community News – September 2016

Posted by on Aug 15, 2019 in News and Events | 0 comments

Edderton Community News – September 2016

Read More