North Ross Deer Management Group

NORTH ROSS DEER

MANAGEMENT GROUP (VERSION May 2016)

DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN 2014 - 2019

NORTH ROSS DEER MANAGEMENT GROUP

Contents Page 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of Plan 1.2 Group Area 1.3 Group Members 1.4 Timescale

2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES

2.1 Guiding Principles 2.2 The Group's Objectives

3. MANAGEMENT POLICIES & INFORMATION

3.1 North Ross Deer Population 3.2 Supplementary Deer Policies 3.3 Communications 3.4 Training 3.5 Monitor And Review Progress Of Deer Management Plan

4. OPERATION OF THE GROUP

5. PUBLIC INTEREST ACTIONS

Appendices

Appendix I Individual Member Details Appendix II SNH Code of Practice on Deer Management Appendix III ADMG Benchmark Appendix IV SNH Helicopter Count Report 2015 Appendix V SNH Best Practice Guidelines- Habitat Impact Assessment Appendix VI SSSI Information Appendix VII Joint Agency statement and guidance on Deer Fencing 2004 Appendix VIII Chronic Wasting Disease Leaflet Appendix IX Tick Borne Diseases Leaflet Appendix X Watson & Smith Lymes Disease Paper 2009 Appendix XI Constitution Appendix XII Scotland’s Wild Deer, A National Approach

Plans

Plan 1 Membership Plan Plan 2 Deer Density Plan 2014 Plan 3 SNH – Deer Density Plan 2015 Plan 4 SNH – Count Route Plan 2015 Plan 5 SNH – Deer Vehicle Collisions 2002 – 2013 Plan 6 SNH – Group A Habitat type and random sample points Plan 7 SNH – Group B Habitat type and random sample points Plan 8 SNH – Group C Habitat type and random sample points Plan 9 Environmental Designations Plan Plan 10 SNH – Designated Sites Plan Plan 11 SNH – SSSi Condition Plan Plan 12 SNH – Land Cover Scotland Plan Plan 13 SNH – National Forest Inventory Woodlands Plan Plan 14 SNH – Native Woodland Survey of Scotland – Herbivore Pressure Plan 15 SNH – Woodland Creation Schemes Plan Plan 16 Walked Routes and Munros

NORTH ROSS DEER MANAGEMENT GROUP MARCH 2014 (Updated May 2016)

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of Plan

The purpose of the plan is to provide:

• An agreed statement of the shared views of the Group Members about the management of wild deer and sustainable land use within the area covered by the NRDMG. • An agreed set of actions to achieve those shared views and protocols to ensure they are done and their effectiveness monitored. • A reference for Members and the general public.

1.2 Group Area

• North Ross Deer Management Group (NRDMG) is situated in the north-west Highlands. It extends to approximately 148,500ha. Altitude within the NRDMG ranges from sea level to 1081m at the summit of Beinn Dearg. There are 7 Munros within the Deer Management Group (DMG), as well as many steep sided glens and lochs.

MAP

WITH NRDMG AREA

HIGHLIGHTED

• The NRDMG area supports the characteristic range of plant communities found in north-west Scotland, dominated by relatively slow growing and unproductive wet heath and blanket bog. The diversity of habitat in the area supports several plant species considered to be scarce in the national context but there are no extreme rarities, classified as Red Data Book species.

• Mean average temperatures for the area are 1oC in January and 11oC in July although altitude will modify these figures heavily, especially in the west of the area. Rainfall generally exceeds 1200mm being mostly in the range of 1600-2400mm and increasing to 2800mm on the highest ground. The average annual frequency of snowfall ranges from 35 days on the lower ground to over 50 days on the Beinn Dearg massif. - 1 -

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1.3 Group Members

The following table together with Plan 1 identifies and locates the Member properties. Appendix I holds the Members responses to a questionnaire which seeks to describe the property and essential management and property information.

Ref Property Land within Group area - Area (hectares) 1 Alladale Wilderness Reserve 2 Braelangwell 3 Braemore 4 Clach Liath 5 Corriemulzie 6 Croick 7 Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) 8 Foulis 9 Fountains Forestry 10 Glencalvie 11 Inverlael Deer Forest 12 Inverlael Estate (Glen Beag) 13 Kildermorie) 14 Langwell 15 Leckmelm Deer Forest 16 Leckmelm Estate 17 Ledmore 18 Little Wyvis 19 Loch Droma 20 Loubcroy 21 Morefield 22 Novar 23 Rhidorroch West 24 Rhidorroch East 25 SNH - Ben Wyvis 26 SNH - Knockan Crag 27 Strathvaich 28 Wyvis Total 131,630

1.4 Timescale

This is the second collaborative DMP to be prepared by the NRDMG. The first was produced in September 2002. This Plan has been written to cover the five year period from 2014-2019, however it is seen as being an ongoing process and actions may be refined and amended as a result of the data collected throughout the period.

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2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES

2.1 Guiding Principles

The Members have adopted the Principles of Collaboration created by the ADMG which are as follows:-

• to acknowledge what we have in common - namely a shared commitment to a sustainable and economically viable Scottish countryside; • to make a commitment to work together to achieve that; • to accept that we have a diversity of management objectives and that we respect each other’s objectives; • to undertake to communicate openly with all relevant parties; • to commit to negotiate and where necessary compromise in order to accommodate the reasonable land management requirements of our neighbours; • to undertake that where there are areas of disagreement, we will work to resolve these.

In addition Members have adopted the Code of Practice on Deer Management (Appendix II) and aim to deliver the terms of the code through the Groups policies and objectives.

2.2 The Group’s Objectives:-

• To foster best practice in all aspects of deer management. • To adopt a constitution suitable for the running of the NRDMG • To ensure full participation throughout the Group area • To ensure that ownership objectives (be they sporting, forestry, agricultural, fishing, conservation, etc) are achievable whilst maintaining designated features in favourable condition or working towards favourable/unfavourable recovering condition. • To maintain a sustainable Group sporting stag cull and associated socio-economic benefits. • Minimise spread of sika and any other non-native deer species within the DMG area and report sightings to SNH • Minimise the incidents of deer poaching. • Minimise negative impacts associated with access legislation. • To adhere to the Deer Management Group benchmark (Appendix III) • to achieve a relatively stable deer population capable of sustaining sporting requirements along with other land uses and habitat requirements of the area; • to ensure sufficient on going training is carried out to enable the aims and objectives of the Group to be met • to ensure an effective system of communications is in place both within the Group and with the general public and to engage positively and actively. • to ensure such there are sufficient resources carry out the aims and objectives of the Group

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3. MANAGEMENT POLICIES & OBJECTIVES

3.1 North Ross Deer Population

The principal deer species in the area is Red deer. Roe deer occupy woodland margins but are mainly confined to lower elevations. Sika deer are occasional visitors to open ground but are most regularly found in woodland plantations. Sika deer are known to be resident in the central and North East of the DMG with occasional visitors elsewhere. At present red deer are the only species for which a census (or “count”) is regularly undertaken.

Deer Count

The Group aim to complete a count each year. This is usually done by Group Members on foot during the first quarter of the year. They are ideally carried out during periods of consistent snow cover (“white count”) or without snow (a “brown count”). Occasionally a count is undertaken by helicopter in conjunction with SNH. The Group coordinates its efforts using the sub Group areas established for habitat monitoring (see ‘Habitat Monitoring’).

It is important to recognise that data from a count is only a snapshot of what is happening at the time of that count. There can be significant movement of animals between estates and other deer management Group areas at certain times of the year or according to weather conditions. Ongoing count figures help to provide a better indication of deer numbers over time and assist with future population modelling.

The Group has two section 7 areas which follow their own prescribed cull targets with a view to improving the condition of the Special Areas of Conservation covering the Group properties (See ‘Environmental Designations’). The cull levels within the S.7 areas have not been without controversy and concern has been raised about the impact on the population numbers during the stalking season by neighbouring properties.

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SNH undertook a helicopter based count in 2008 (see table below).

NRDMG Stags Hinds & Calves Total Totals 4,039 10,933 14,972

An SNH helicopter count of the estates covered by S.7 Control Agreements took place in 2011.

The Group organized a Deer count (foot count) in 2014 and most Members took part. It returned estimates for the population of red deer as follows:

NRDMG Stags Hinds Calves Uncl Total Totals 2,758 4,284 1,596 195 8,833

Plan 2 shows the deer densities for each Group Member per km2 based on the 2014 foot count. •

On the 3rd, 4th and 5th February 2015 SNH undertook a helicopter count (see table below).

Planar Density NRDMG Stags Hinds Calves Total 2 Area(Ha) (deer/km ) Totals 123,142 4,374 7,385 2,589 14,348 11.65

The SNH Helicopter Report is included in Appendix IV and the Deer Density and Count Route Plans are Plans 3 and 4.

The Group organized a Deer count (foot count) in 2016 and most Members took part. It returned estimates for the population of red deer as follows:

NRDMG Stags Hinds Calves Uncl Total Totals 2,741 4,182 1,131 221 8,275

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Deer Culls

Group Members together with their neighbours and tenants control deer to meet a wide range of objectives. The majority of Red deer are culled as part of sporting activities on Member properties but by contrast the majority of Sika and Roe deer are controlled in the protection of Woodland and Agricultural Crops.

It is acknowledged that crofters and occupiers of agricultural land may have rights to take deer to protect crops and in-bye improved pasture. For a complete figure the cull information from these actions should be included

As more data is collected and analysed, the intention is to collate overall cull numbers and also to focus on the use and application of the data.

It should be noted that there have been some boundary changes within the Group since these figures were submitted and so future cull figures may not be directly comparable with previous data.

Red Deer cull figures recorded on the Open Range, in Forestry and Agricultural areas over the last 12 years for the Group area are as follows:

Stags Hinds Calves 2006/07 887 994 389 2007/08 816 1,183 424 2008/09 937 1,156 447 2009/10 925 1,253 410 2010/11 929 1,057 368 2011/12 847 1,034 372 2012/13 829 813 316 2013/14 801 1,052 441 2014/15 994 1,181 479 9 year average 885 1,080 405

1400

1200

1000

800 600 400 200 0 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Stags Hinds Calves

(Source: SNH Annual Return)

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Sika Deer cull figures recorded over the last 8 years for the Group area are as follows:

Stags Hinds Calves 2007/08 350 273 243 2008/09 487 320 217 2009/10 399 290 180 2010/11 403 297 210 2011/12 474 364 259 2012/13 279 272 154 2013/14 456 405 271 2014/15 412 333 29 8 year average 407 319 195

600 500 400

300 200

100

0 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Stags Hinds Calves

Roe Deer cull figures recorded over the last 8 years for the Group area are as follows:

Bucks Does Calves 2007/08 77 66 54 2008/09 118 139 72 2009/10 163 155 243 2010/11 63 65 44 2011/12 109 125 62 2012/13 87 86 48 2013/14 97 127 78 2014/15 103 108 51 8 year average 102 109 81

300

250

200

150

100

0 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Bucks Does Calves

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3.2 Supplementary Deer Policies

SNH Authorisations

The majority of deer are culled in season. Occasionally however deer become a problem for crofters, farmers and foresters and Members are encouraged to share information on any out of season and night shooting authorisations obtained to help control marauding animals.

Winter Deer Mortality

Members will monitor and report any significant levels of winter mortality or significant health issues encountered. Generally mortality levels are thought to be approximately 2% for adults and 6% for calves in their first year.

Red Deer Recruitment

Members will monitor and report on calf recruitment to assist in the production of future populations models. Generally recruitment levels are thought to be in the region of 25% in the Group area.

Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVCs)

It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 deer-related motor vehicle accidents every year in Scotland, on average causing about 70 serious human injuries. The economic value of these accidents is about £5 million.

Scottish Natural Heritage manage the Deer Vehicle Collision Project which looks to assess the scale and distribution of DVCs across the country and have provided data for the NRDMG area. The table below records significantly figures for the 2004-10 period as they include SNH direct carcass surveys as well as local council uplift data not available prior to or after that period.

Grand Year A835 A834 A837 A862 A9 B817 B9176 U Total

2000 10 1 11

2001 7 1 8

2002 7 1 1 3 1 13

2003 17 1 1 19

2004 58 2 1 3 2 66

2005 63 1 64

2006 36 1 37

2007 38 1 3 42

2008 37 2 1 1 41

2009 41 1 4 1 47

2010 47 1 2 1 2 53

2011 12 1 13

2012 10 1 11

2013 20 1 1 22

Grand 403 3 5 1 7 3 11* 14 447 Total *Among B9176 records majority at edge of East Ross rather than North Ross DMG area

(Plan 5 shows the distribution of Deer Vehicle Collisions. See also the section on Public Health and Well being)

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Habitat Monitoring

The NRDMG area is split into three survey areas for the purpose of habitat monitoring (see map below).

Each survey area will be allocated a minimum of 30 plots in Blanket Bog and 30 in Dwarf Shrub Heath. This will give a total of 90 Blanket Bog and 90 Dwarf Shrub Heath plots across the estates, ensuring that the two habitat types will be adequately represented in the sample sites.

SNH have identified randomly generated survey plot locations using habitat data held by them. There may be some variation in habitats mapped in the general surveys and what is actually on the ground, but methodology for dealing with this has been highlighted in training. (See Plans 6, 7 & 8)

Quadrat Scotland provided full days training session in May 2014 for each person carrying out survey work to include-

• guide to equipment required • navigating to plot locations; • confirming habitat types once at plot location; • what to measure when you get there; • analysing data.

Targets need to be set for habitat impacts across these two habitats, it is proposed to use those set out in the Best Practice Guidelines (Appendix V). Targets will be agreed by the Group following the first round of monitoring. Habitat targets will be set for an average over all of the survey locations to take into account the natural variation in these due to landform/feeding areas. It is understood that some areas will have a higher impact than others, which is why targets will be set and monitored on a Group-wide basis rather than for individual estates.

Habitat monitoring surveys will be carried out at three year intervals and monitoring data will be fed back to the DMG for consideration at the AGM.

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Environmental Designations

The NRDMG area includes a number of conservation designations. Further information on these can be found in Appendix VI and the following maps:

Plan 9 All Environmental Designations Plan 10 Designated Site Plan (SSSI’s) Plan 11 SSSI Condition Plan

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Site Type Condition (Click on name) Hectares Rhidorroch Woods Biological Rhidorroch Woods 740.68 Beinn Dearg Biological Beinn Dearg 13,851.74 Amat Wood Biological Amat Wood 154.82 Ben Wyvis Mixed Ben Wyvis 5,415.64 Loch Urigill Biological Loch Urigill 321.15 Carn Gorm Geological Carn Gorm 46.61 Alladale Pinewood Mixed Alladale Pinewood 80.08 Allt nan Caorach Biological Allt nan Caorach 57.75 Knockan Cliff Mixed Knockan Cliff 362.00

• Special Areas of Conservation

Please see Appendix VI

• Special Protection Areas

Please see Appendix VI

Whilst Group individual Members have the direct relationship with SNH in respect of SSSI’s, SAC’s and SPA’s the objective of the Group to develop a Deer population, capable of sustaining sporting requirements alongside other land uses and habitat requirements, fully takes into account the condition of designated sites and the identification of management actions to help improve or maintain their status.

Deer have been cited as causing concern on a number of the designated sites, namely Rhidorroch Woods, Beinn Dearg, Ben Wyvis, Allt nan Caorach, Amat Wood and Alladale Pinewood.

Beinn Dearg, Alladale Pinewood, Ben Wyvis and Allt nan Caorach are all being addressed through Section 7 agreements with SNH. In these sites woodlands have largely been protected by deer fencing while improvements to the upland habitats has been sought through reducing deer numbers and targeted culling.

Management of Amat Wood is understood to be contained within a Long Term Forest Plan which aims to bring the whole site into favourable condition. It is understood that the main elements of this plan are deer fencing the majority of the woodland and carrying out deer control within the fence.

Rhidorroch Woods remain to have agreed management put in place which will secure the site features although the owners have been undertaking some work independently.

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• Control agreements under Section 7 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996

Beinn Dearg

The agreement runs between 2010 and 2015 and is between Corrimulzie Estate, Alladale Estate, Inverlael Farm Estate, Strathvaich and Strathrannoch Estate, Loch Droma Estate, Braemore Estate, Inverlael Deer Forest and SNH in respect of two conservation designations (Beinn Dearg SAC and Alladale Pinewood SSSI) extending to about 13,849 ha or thereby in the North Ross area. The agreement sets out the terms for the reduction and maintenance red deer numbers within a wider control area of approx. 46,389 ha to prevent red deer from causing damage to and avoid deterioration of the designated habitats within the two sites.

At the commencement of the agreement the SAC was described by SNH as in ‘unfavourable’ condition. The aim of the agreement is to achieve a red deer density of 12 – 16 deer per sq km and a ‘favourable’ condition. The last count in 2015 showed a red deer density of 13 deer per sq km over the control area. A Habitat Impact Assessment carried out in Summer 2015 showed that impacts remain above target levels. SNH have advised that a further reduction in deer density will be required to deliver favourable condition.

Ben Wyvis

The agreement runs between 2010 and 2015 and is between Wyvis Estate, Clach Liath Estate, Scottish Natural Heritage and SNH in respect of two conservation designations (Ben Wyvis SAC and Allt nan Caorach SSSI) extending to about 5,456 ha or thereby in the North Ross area. The agreement sets out the terms for the reduction and maintenance red deer numbers within a wider control area of approx. 12,031 ha to prevent red deer from causing damage to and avoid deterioration of the designated habitats within the two sites.

At the commencement of the agreement the SAC was described by SNH as in ‘unfavourable declining’ condition. The aim of the agreement is to achieve a red deer density of 8 – 10 deer per sq km and a ‘favourable’ condition. The last count in 2015 showed a red deer density of 9.5 deer per sq km over the control area. A Habitat Impact Assessment carried out in Summer 2015 showed that impacts are within target levels on the West of the site but with higher impacts on the East side.

SNH have scope to extend the agreements at the end of the initial term and this is under consideration.

Group commitment to the Section 7 areas at this time is to monitor the issues and the actions required of the Section 7 signatories as part of the population modelling which is being developed to assist sustainable land use within the Group area. The minutes and papers from the S.7 meetings are shared with the wider NRDMG.

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Topography & Geology

The North Ross DMG area extends from the Kildermorie and Strathvaich forests in the south east to Elphin and the Cromalt Hills in the north west dominated by Cnoc Damh (588m), Beinn Dearg (1084m) and Seana Bhraigh (906m).

The underlying geology comprises predominantly metamorphic rock types. In the Elphin area and in a narrow band north of Ullapool limestone with some Torrodinian Sandstone and Basal Quartzite occur. Large masses of granite are present in the Kildermorie and Inchbae areas with some Old Red Sandstone to the east of Strathvaich.

The most commonly occurring soil types are peat, peaty gleys and peaty podzols. Some brown forest soils and humus-iron podzols are found on the lower valley slopes. Blanket peat predominates over upland areas with subalpine and alpine soils at higher altitudes.

General Flora

(See Map 12 Scotland Land Cover Map)

Steep, well drained slopes support grassland and on higher ground where snow lies longest, there is grass heath. Summits are largely covered by moss heath. Lichens and moss are frequent components of all these mid to high elevation vegetation types.

Several other plant communities occur on rock ledges, screes, summits and flushes. These include dwarf herb community, tall herd community and rush heath as well as grassland and mire. On sites formerly used for agricultural or crafting, grassland occurs. This community, commonly referred to as “greens” is important because it provides the best quality grazing, although it generally covers less than 1% of the total area.

Woodland

The National Forest Inventory of woodlands indicates there is about 27,500ha or 68,000ac of woodland within the Group area (see Plan 13) of which about 15,000ha or 37,000ac is coniferous woodland. According to the National Woodland Survey of Scotland (see Plan 14) about 9,000ha or 22,000ac is native woodland.

Landowners within the Group have different management approaches and objectives, nowhere is this more striking than in the case of forestry/woodland where interests range from stands of commercial forestry to ancient semi-natural woodland. New woodland plantings (see Plan 15, ‘Woodland Creation Schemes’) have tended towards native broadleaved mixtures with a view to developing long term shelter and forage for deer and to begin to restore some of the older native woodlands.

The Group commitment to sustainable land use recognises the varying condition of native woodland and seeks, through its deer population modelling and Members planting and fencing programs contribute to ensuring an improvement in the condition of native woodland.

Overall the woodland accounts for approximately 19% of the acreage. Individual Members are considering their options for additional woodland development in light of new SRDP schemes but limited by the land types available to them and suitable for planting. Any substantial schemes together with their impact on deer range wintering and long term impacts on deer populations will be assessed at a Group level.

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Agriculture

The majority of the Group area is open range populated only by wild deer. A number of Members do have farming operations however. Some keep highland cattle herds as part of a moorland management plan, others have sheep or mixed livestock operations. One east coast Member has arable operations in addition to livestock.

The area has approximately 6,000 hectares (c.4% of the Group area) of land to the north west of the area which is subject to crofting tenure including in-bye crofts and common grazing land.

At present the data available about livestock numbers in the Group area is minimal and an objective will be to develop this to allow a fuller picture about land use and grazing pressure on land shared with the wild deer population.

Carbon Capture

As part of the NRDMG drive towards a stable deer population, commensurate with the working life of the area and a sustainable use of the land, the NRDMG, through habitat monitoring, will identify and implement actions to restore or maintain, as necessary, peat land and woodland areas.

The NRDMG area represents a substantial carbon capture resource including approximately 36,800ha of blanket bog and peatland, 63,459ha of heather moor (source LCS map) and 27,500ha of woodland.

Members already work with local District Salmon Fishery Boards in the area River Basin Management Planning and recognise the work has a broader eco system benefit than the protection of Salmon fisheries.

The local DSFB’s and Fishery Trust will be invited to attend NRDMG Meetings to develop closer understanding of how the interests of DMG’s and DSFB’s overlap and what future collaborative projects might be developed.

Some Members are, on an individual basis, undertaking peatland restoration work and have sought funding from: https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment- climate-scheme/management-options-and-capital-items/ditch-blocking---peat-dams/

Deer Fencing

The NRDMG recognises the 2004 Joint Agency Statement and Guidance on Deer Fencing (Appendix VII). Deer fencing serves a useful purpose for controlling deer, helping to achieve environmental objectives and preventing deer from becoming public hazards. The decision to employ deer fencing may have unintentional impacts on landscape, cultural heritage and other features, and so the guidance has been made available to all Members for reference.

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Historical & Cultural Features

Historic and cultural features within the landscape are important to the group and the group undertakes to protect these from negative impacts by deer. Red deer, because of their size and herding behaviour are the species with most potential to cause negative impacts to these sites.

Highland Council Historic Environment Record holds over 1600 Historic Environment Records for the North Ross DMG which can be viewed in a map based format at http://her.highland.gov.uk/Map.aspx?clear=true

There are only two Scheduled Ancient Monuments within the main red deer range: • An Dun on Strath Caniard • Settlement and Field system, Eilaneach Lodge, Wyvis Estate

Most of the remaining records relate to undesignated historic sites areas around existing settlements. Grazing can have positive impacts on historic and cultural features by maintaining a low sward and preventing tree and shrub regeneration and thereby maintaining their visibility and context in the landscape. Damage to historic features by deer could possibly be associated with high concentrations of animals such as at winter feed sites. Group members will avoid providing winter feed at sites where there is evidence that this could result in negative impacts to these features.

Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV)

Whilst there is no compulsion to join, the DMG encourages its Member estates to consider joining the SQWV Assurance Scheme. So far 3 Members have joined SQWV. This Scheme is the result of an 18 month development project commissioned by Forest Enterprise in association with the Association of Deer Management Groups, the Scottish Association of Game Dealers and Processors and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association. It represents the first occasion on which the public and private sectors of the Scottish wild venison sector have worked together on an initiative encompassing the entire industry.

The SQWV Scheme’s aims are to: • respond proactively to consumers about the way wild venison is produced; • improve food safety and meet the requirements of the Food Safety Act 1990; • address environmental and animal welfare responsibilities.

Public Health & Well Being

The presence and management of wild animals in a largely unconstrained open range and which are a popular source of meat introduces and is inevitably influenced by public health issues.

The reasons that may lead to the death of deer are many so knowing and understanding the causes and impact on the NRDMG herd are important.

1. Animal Health

Members are aware of their responsibility in the handling and processing of venison. The NRDMG encourages the achievement of SQWV and DMQ1 standards as ways of ensuring consistency in these areas.

The knowledge and good practice required to meet these standards develops familiarity with notifiable diseases and Membership of the Group provides a helpful conduit to inform others of disease and other health issues.

Members have been informed about Chronic Wasting Disease with publically available information supplied to them (See Appendix VIII). Members would follow Government advice on biosecurity measure in the event of an outbreak.

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2. Public Health

Deer Vehicle Collisions

A significant area of Public Health, but also animal welfare, is in mitigating the risk that deer can pose to vehicles using public roads. Members deal with deer vehicle collision issues on sections of roads in their areas and provide a service to the general public and the local authority and emergency services in the control of problem animals or and the humane dispatching of injured ones and the removal of carcasses.

Members report on mortalities of all types to SNH and are particularly aware of the issues along the length of the Garve - Ullapool road. (See Plan 5).

Members are aware of and also update the following website:

http://www.deercollisions.co.uk/

SNH are invited to all meetings of the NRDMG and enables it to act as a conduit to respond to any particular problem that arises.

Lymes Disease

Lymes Disease is thought to be a potential threat to public health in the NRDMG area. Members are in possession of the publically available information issued by the NHS amongst others (Appendix IX and X) and are mandated to raise awareness amongst their staff and visitors.

Public Access and Recreation

Deer managers and stalkers adopt best practice during the stalking season and, where appropriate, signs are placed at known access points to inform visiting walkers that stalking is in progress.

The NRDMG welcomes responsible access to the countryside by the general public. It recognises that there are some regularly used walks to reach Munros and hills of interest as well as long distance routes that pass through the Group area. A number of mountain bothies are maintained. Information supplied by Members is identified on Plan 16.

NRDMG has previously produced leaflets to assist hill walkers make contact with stalkers and give advice on access during the stalking season. With the relaunch of the “Heading for the Scottish Hills” website by SNH in time for the 2015 season Members have been supplied with the information needed to allow them to upload their contact details and any advice to the website. Much of the stag stalking is let to visiting stalkers generating income into the local area through hotel and guest house accommodation, employment of cooks and other staff, local retailers, garages and other services.

Constitution

The Group recognizes the need for and has adopted a constitution that defines the area of the Group, its operating principles, Membership and procedures in addition to providing for the appointment of office bearers, voting, raising funds and maintaining financial records. (Appendix XI).

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3.3 Communications

The Group recognizes the importance of good channels of communications between Group Members but also with a wider audience.

Details of the Group are available to the General Public through the ADMG website and it is intended that all relevant documents will be available to the public by that medium in the future. In addition a copy of the Deer Management Plan will be lodged in the Bonar Bridge library and others as the Group sees fit.

A number of Group Members have good interpretation facilities on their properties and the Highland Council, SNH and a variety of local initiatives provide good access and interpretation of local features of cultural or historic value or of key local landscapes or habitats.

Support and promotion of wider opportunities for further education on deer is active within the Group with trainee and volunteer positions offered by some Members and others offering work experience for youngsters in their area.

The flow of information between Members is much improved through email communication and access to a ‘cloud’ based information storage facility called One Drive for Business is being rolled out to Members.

The Secretary now attends the S.7 Beinn Dearg meetings and all paperwork from that Group is shared with the wider Group.

The Group will encourage attendance at meetings by Community Council representatives, Grazings Committees, DSFB’s, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

3.4 Training

The NRDMG recognises the value to Members and their employees of the maintaining and improvement of knowledge, skills and competence throughout their working lives.

Whilst most training should be done at the initiative of Members and their staff the NRDMG is enhanced by ensuring consistency of training and accomplishment in key areas. Members are expected to take responsibility for all training that is central to the work they and their staff undertake. Training drawn from a current Health & Safety Policy may include First Aid, manual handling, ATV driving, chainsaw operation and maintenance work.

The NRDMG has the following priorities:

1. To ensure all Members have within their own teams an understanding and ability to complete habitat monitoring survey work. 2. To ensure all Members have within their own teams sufficient levels of competence among those who shoot deer. This is in accordance with the WANE (Scotland) Act 2011. Competence in the area is met by achieving DMQ Deer Stalking Certificate 1 and Trained Hunter status. 3. To encourage Members to develop their understanding of general and public health issues, including Lymes Disease. 4. To ensure Members maintain and improve health and hygiene in the handling of venison.

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The NRDMG will encourage progress of those who shoot deer towards achieving DMQ Deer Stalking Certificate 2 and enrollment in the SNH Fit & Competent Register. Two staff in the NRDMG area are already on the Register.

The NRDMG will keep under review the training and development needs of Members and their staff and keep a register of skills and competence to be maintained by the Secretary.

3.5 Monitor And Review Progress Of Deer Management Plan

The annual DMG Meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss and review the Plan. ‘Scotland’s Wild Deer a National Approach (2015 – 2020)’ (See Appendix XII) was launched by the Scottish Government in 2015 and identifies the challenges and priorities in sustainable deer management over that period and will form the basis for the monitoring and review process.

Results from deer counts and deer cull data can be compared in order to highlight any potential problem areas.

In addition to record keeping, regular discussion between neighbouring estates and estate stalkers will help determine the trends with deer. Unacceptable impacts may trigger an increased cull for the following year, targeting the areas where the impacts are greatest. Culls will be addressed, if necessary, through increased effort and a formal review of the DMP will be undertaken at year five.

Beinn Dearg and Ben Wyvis SAC’s - Section 7 Agreements - SNH has confirmed that all data collected under the Section 7 Agreement will be fed back to the DMG so that it can be considered along with other data collected.

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4. OPERATION OF THE GROUP

The North Ross Deer Management Plan has been assessed against the DMG Benchmark (Appendix III) developed by the ADMG and this section sets out the areas where the Group meets the benchmark, its shortcoming and the correcting actions.

Area & Boundaries The larger management units are all identified and participate in the DMG. The Group divides into three sub Groups for the purposes of habitat monitoring and deer counting. It is possible that the format may also give future management and reporting options. The decision to sub divide the Group was firstly because of its size. The Group has two Section 7 management areas and it was decided that the sub division should ensure that each S.7 area was in a distinct Group.

Actions Identify the smaller peripheral properties and get a better understanding of the woodland and agricultural interests within the Group.

Membership All property owners within a deer range should be Members of a DMG, including private and public land owners; also, where possible, agricultural occupiers, foresters, crofters and others on adjoining land where deer may be present. There is a good selection covering the deer population area, there are however further areas which require further work - agricultural interest and woodland owners. Attendance at meetings is variable.

Actions The Group has an ongoing process through the Chair and Secretary for addressing Membership and engagement from land holdings. The importance of attendance to be highlighted post RACCE and need to have attendees mandated to take decisions.

Meetings The Group meets twice a year and there is an established policy that those who attend are mandated to make decisions for the Group (be they Owner, Agent or Keeper). This principle is written in to the draft constitution. SNH and FCS are landowners within the Group and attendance is encouraged.

The flow of information between Members is much improved and access to a ‘cloud’ based information storage facility called One Drive for Business is being rolled out to Members. The Secretary now attends the S.7 Beinn Dearg meetings and all paperwork from that Group is shared with the wider Group.

Actions Look to encourage wider public and public agency participation, including invitations to local community councils, grazings committees, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Constitution and Finances A draft constitution has been prepared for approval at the November 2015 AGM. There is regular financial reporting to the Group by the Secretary. Most funding is private with some SNH contribution, notably in 2015 in the funding of the Helicopter count.

Actions Consider SRDP and other funding sources compatible with the aims and objectives of the Group

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Deer Management Plan A deer management plan was approved at the 2014 AGM. Following a second and voluntary the SNH assessment in November 2015 a work stream for 2016 was agreed by the Group to tackle shortcomings.

Action A continued progression throughout the life of the Deer Management Plan to refine and improve it. Regular review of the plan by SNH against the 2014 and subsequent Assessments to monitor improvement. Recognition of ‘Scotland’s Wild Deer a National Approach (2015 – 2020)’ in the development of the plan.

Code of practice on Deer Management / Best Practice / ADMG Principles of Collaboration All have been adopted by the Group as part of the Deer Management Plan

Action Delivery through the Deer Management Plan and activities of Group Members with adjustment as necessary as they evolve.

Data Evidence and Gathering – Cull & Count Whilst present within the S.7 areas the Group as a whole does not have a target deer population or density which meets the collective requirements of Members without detriment to the public interest.

The cull should be apportioned among Members to deliver the objectives of the Group and individual management objectives while maintaining the agreed target population and favourable environmental condition.

Cull and count data held by the secretary goes back many decades. Accurate deer counting, recruitment and mortality counts form the basis of accurate deer population modelling. In addition dung counting and other methods in woodland can be helpful to complete the picture. Cull returns are provided by SNH to ensure consistency in information used.

The Group already has a policy of an annual foot count and introduced recruitment counts in 2015. SNH annual returns seek detail on mortalities and completion of this element of the return is encouraged by the Group.

Action Continuation of well organized annual counts with full participation by Members. Development of annual recruitment counts by all Members will allow the commencement of modelling from 2015 in collaboration with SNH with Forestry owners employing dung counting as part of their management practices will be encouraged to share their results with the Group.

A better understanding of goat, sheep and cattle numbers should be established to help refine the target deer population.

The development of a target population or deer density for the Group

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Data Evidence and Gathering – Habitat Monitoring Habitat Monitoring has been done in the S.7 areas of the Group for 5 years.

The Group has adopted Habitat Monitoring as integral to the successful creation of target populations and sustainable land use management. Training has been undertaken or relations with qualified contractors established to allow Dwarf Shrub Heath and Blanket Bog habitat, the two principle types in the Group area, to be surveyed and assessed over time. A structure or random sample points has been provided for Members at a Group rather than individual property level. Confidence in completing survey work is mixed but 2015 has seen a marked increase in participating Members.

Action To encourage full participation by Members either through the use of contractors or by their own hand.

There is no current means of analysing and presenting habitat monitoring data to make informed management decisions on deer impacts out with S7 areas and SNH assistance or a tool is required to do this.

Competence / Training See the Training section earlier in the Plan.

A register is held by the Secretary of Members and staff who hold DMQ level 1 or 2, those who are registered with SNH as Fit and Competent and those who have ‘Trained Hunter Status.

It is accepted by the Group that all those who shoot deer unsupervised in Scotland should be competent and evidence that by having at least DMQ 1.

Action To encourage Members to develop their understanding of general and public health issues, including Lymes Disease. To ensure Members maintain and improve health and hygiene in the handling of venison.

The NRDMG will encourage progress of those who shoot deer towards achieving DMQ Deer Stalking Certificate 2 and Trained Hunter status. Two staff in the NRDMG area are on the SNH Fit & Competent Register.

Venison Marketing See the Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV) section earlier in the Plan.

Action Encourage participation in collaboration with ADMG

Communications See the Communications section earlier in the Plan

Action Implementation of the agreed strategy and ensure communication channels are available between meetings to allow issues that arise to be dealt with.

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5. PUBLIC INTEREST ACTIONS

The North Ross Deer Management Plan has been assessed against the Delivery of Public Interest document prepared by SNH and ADMG and this section sets out the areas where the Group meets the requirements, its shortcoming and the correcting actions.

Develop Mechanisms to Manage Deer A Deer Management Plan was adopted by the Group in November 2014 and the out come of the Benchmark and Public Interest assessments carried out by SNH led to the Group approving a work stream for 2015.

Action To agree an annual work stream going forward in line with the Plan for completion by the Group, Chairman or Secretary and monitor progress at regular Group meetings.

Delivering Designated Features in to Favourable Condition Designated sites and features within the DMG are documented within the Plan together with an up to date assessment of their condition or status. Two significant sites are covered by S.7 Management agreements with condition and remedial management actions dealt with through the Members whose property lies within the S.7 areas.

Action Development of Target Deer Populations, an understanding of agricultural livestock numbers and Habitat Monitoring will develop actions by which favourable condition can be delivered.

Manage deer to retain existing Native Woodland cover General land use, woodland extent and type, including native woodland and recent woodland creation schemes found within the Group area are documented within the Plan together with an up to date assessment of the condition of existing native woodland.

Actions Members will be encouraged to ‘ground truth’ the information in the Plan and identify actions to retain and improve native woodland condition and deliver the DMG woodland management objectives using SRDP and other funding sources if required.

Demonstrate DMG contribution to the Scottish Government woodland expansion target The Governments woodland expansion target is 100,000 hectares of new planting between 2012 and 2022 with a view to achieving 25% woodland cover throughout Scotland during the second half of the century. There is a clear belief by Government that the upland deer range is a good location for new planting.

An approximation of the current woodland cover within the Group area suggests it is already in the region of 20% and will be a far higher percentage of land suitable for planting. Recent woodland creation schemes found within the Group area are documented within the plan.

Red deer are woodland animals and shelter is a limiting factor affecting deer population performance. Increased woodland cover will provide greater wintering forage and shelter, improving the welfare of deer populations, increasing fecundity and over winter survival.

Aim The Group recognizes that within the Group area there will be land which is suitable for planting and that it is for Members to decide the mix of land use including the addition of woodland cover to provide woodland shelter and forage for deer within their ownership together with farm or croft tenants and common graziers. The Group will encourage collaboration amongst Members to ensure that major land use change or shifts in management objective accord with the ambitions of neighbours.

Grant link: https://www.ruralpayments.org/publicsite/futures/topics/all-schemes/forestry-grant- scheme/

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Monitor and Manage Deer Impacts in the wider countryside Information about land use and habitat type and distribution together with information about the condition or status of designated sites are documented within the Plan.

Those parts of the Group area covered by S.7 management agreements already identify impact targets for habitat types, sustainable levels of grazing and trampling for the habitat types and conduct herbivore impact assessments identifying and implementing actions to attain impacts within the range.

Action To encourage full participation by Members either through the use of contractors or by their own hand. Habitat Monitoring together with deer population data will help set target deer populations or densities that will enable deer impact, together without other herbivores to be monitored and managed.

Improve Scotland’s ability to store carbon by maintaining or improving ecosystem health. Information about habitat type and distribution together with information about the condition or status of designated sites are documented within the Plan.

The Group recognizes that peatland and woodlands within the Group area are a natural means of capturing and storing carbon. It understands that if peatland is damaged by excessive browsing, trampling and burning they stop capturing carbon and can begin to release carbon.

It also recognizes that although tree planting has the potential to assist in carbon capture net green house gas balance from tree planting will probably be negative on deep peats (where tree growth is likely to be poor without substantial site modification) or where planting may have a negative impact on the hydrology of adjacent bog sites and that restricting new planting to shallower peats (<50 cm deep) with less potential carbon loss, and usually better tree growth conditions, constitute a sensible approach.

Action The Group see a strong link between this area of public interest and their habitat monitoring, target deer population and their woodland policies and actions covered elsewhere in the plan.

Reduce or mitigate the risk of invasive, non-native species The Group Members manage invasive non-native species (e.g. muntjac) to prevent their establishment and spread e.g. report sightings of muntjac to SNH. Species such as Sika, Fallow and wild Goats are utilised as a resource by some Members whereas others, notably woodland owners, are persistent in their efforts to reduce their spread and negative impacts. There is no discernible tension between Members over their differing management approaches at this time.

Action Continued discussion at a Group level to ensure collaborative action by Members.

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Protection of Historic and Cultural Features There are likely to be thousands of sites throughout the Group area of archaeological or cultural importance. It is possible that for the majority that grazing by deer or sheep will be beneficial in preventing shrubs and bushes from taking hold. The Group is not aware of any of these features being negatively affected by grazing.

The Group is alert to the possibility of future woodland planting or development being a source of potential harm to these features. The Group know about the potential harm to these features that may come from inappropriate fencing position or design and the Joint Agency statement and guidance on Deer Fencing (2004) is a supporting document to the Plan.

Action Encourage awareness of the need to protect these features as a part of any land use change.

Delivering higher standards of competence in deer management

See the Training section earlier in the Plan.

A register is held by the Secretary of Members and staff who hold DMQ level 1 or 2, those who are registered with SNH as Fit and Competent and those who have ‘Trained Hunter Status.

It is accepted by the Group that all those who shoot deer unsupervised in Scotland should be competent and evidence that by having at least DMQ 1.

Group Members and staff have taken part in Habitat Monitoring training with Quadrat Scotland and some have worked alongside them in carrying out survey work on their properties.

To encourage continuing professional development of these areas and to attend refresher courses as required, for example in habitat monitoring.

Contribute to public health and well being See the public health and well being section earlier in the Plan.

Actions To keep under review the relevant policies and actions contained within the plan.

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Maximise economic benefits associated with deer. Red deer are an iconic Scottish animal and a key reason behind many visits to the NRDMG area by tourists of all kinds together with Salmon, Eagles and other wild life. A major economic benefit deer offer to the NRDMG area and other areas is that they draw private capital investment into sporting estates from other walks of life because of the pleasure and interest they bring. The pleasure and interest is complex and personal but important to culture and protect.

The main sources of revenue associated with deer for Group Members relates to the sale of sporting packages that may be a simple as a days stalking or may involve the rental of fully serviced sporting lodges and salmon or trout fishing. A minority but important development is wild life safaris or photography which use the stalkers skill knowledge of the wildlife in different ways. Some Members have cottages which have been developed for self catering holidays. These are often taken by people who are not sportsmen but want to take access to the countryside through walking or mountain biking and seeing wildlife on the hill and the stalkers paths and estate roads that allow this are integral to the success of their holidays and return business.

Whilst a detailed survey has not been carried out and not all Members responded to the request for information, within the NRDMG there are estimated to be 40 full time jobs and 30 part time or seasonal jobs that are either fully or partially derived from deer management. Jobs include stalkers, ghillies, and lodge or house staff. Some of the jobs cover a wider emit including fishery or farm management.

In 2014 the Group cull was 807 stags, 1083 hinds and 444 calves. Based on this it is estimated that annual venison sales within the Group area are approximately £240,000.

It is important to recognize that for some Group Members, notably the larger forestry owners and some farmers, the need to control deer could be an overall net cost and in maximizing the economic benefit of deer one has to take this into account. It is not easy to quantify the economic benefit of deer within the Group area but it is hoped that a clearer picture will be discernible from the Economic Study being done by P.A.C.E.C, this information not currently available at a Group level.

It is also important to recognize that access to the countryside, for example by hill walkers, mountain bikes etc. can also spoil stalking outings and diminish the economic benefit that deer can bring. They can also keep deer on the move, putting them under stress and increasing trampling damage to peatland and other habitat.

Actions Endeavour to develop a fuller understanding direct economic benefit of deer and consider ways to improve it. Increase awareness of the good story as it is already known and the opportunities for the use of sporting or job opportunities in the course of closer contact with the local community and public more generally.

Continue to encourage Membership of Scottish Quality Wild Venison, the continued upgrading and investment of larders

Continue to share access information with hill walkers through the SNH Heading for the Scottish Hills website and other media.

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Minimise the economic costs of deer management The economic costs of deer management have not been quantified by the Group and like the economic benefit of deer (above) it is hoped that a clearer picture will be discernible from the Economic Study being done by PACEC in the future.

Most Members within the Group to a greater or lesser extents run a business and appreciate the significance of minimising costs. Many sporting estates run at a loss and not because they are poorly run, so it is inevitable that this area of deer management is of perennial interest. The opportunity to widen the range of activities undertaken by Members and training staff to be able to undertake a broader range of roles all helps to reduce the cost burden of deer management. Members with predominantly forestry interests can spend many years without an income stream and must continuously balance, for example, the maintenance of deer fences against paying for deer control by contract stalkers or full time staff and the effect on the development of their woodland or relations with neighbours in reducing costs.

It is recognized that deer range freely except where controlled by deer fences and have the potential to impact on crofters and farmers. Marauding animals can be controlled in the protection of crops but this has the potential to be a cost. In some cases costs can be minimized by leasing the stalking on agricultural or in forestry land so that instead of being a job stalking becomes an income stream, subject always to there being a clear understanding between the parties about what is wanted from the relationship.

Actions Endeavour to develop a fuller understanding of the economic cost of deer management to Members and crofters, farmers and foresters and by Group liaison consider ways to mitigate avoidable expense. Encourage staff training and ongoing professional development

Ensure effective communication in deer management issues See Communications section the Plan.

Action The development of the actions within the Communications policy

Ensure deer welfare at individual and population level The Group has already begun to collect data on calf recruitment to the herd as part of the development of population modelling. Group Members also report to SNH through the annual return form on deer mortality and this too feeds into population modelling. These are a help along with such other information that could be collected in the future such as larder weights and trained staff being aware of notifiable and non notifiable diseases will help form a view on the health of the deer in the Group area and allow policy to develop. The setting of deer density targets should have deer welfare as an integral part of the policy. Attainment of DMQ1 & 2 by stalking Members and staff should ensure a consistent standard of competency in shooting, safety and the law.

The development of new woodland is considered elsewhere in the plan. The development of woodland may in the longer term have a welfare benefit for deer but in the short term may, by the exclusion of grazing from the open range by the erection of deer fencing, put pressure on deer welfare. This explains the need for collaborative work on the part of the Group Members to ensure that welfare considerations are a part of the early stages of new woodland planning.

Action To develop a system of collating and recording larder weights to feed into the development of population modelling. Group Members to collaborate over woodland schemes that may have a material impact on the deer range to ensure welfare issues are properly considered at the planning stages.

See the existing training policy in respect of DMQ 1 & 2 and information on deer fences contained elsewhere in the plan.

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