Outrage over deer open season plan

SCOTLAND'S landowners have rebelled against government proposals to scrap a ban on shooting deer during the breeding season.

More than eight out of ten respondents to a Scottish Government consultation rejected the move to legalise hunting stags or bucks all year round.

Plans to shorten the period when the females are protected from hunters met with a similarly strong reaction.

Landowners and members of the public expressed fears that the proposals could result in the "Monarchs of the Glen" being treated like "vermin" and result in "Bambi syndrome" – when fawns are orphaned because their mothers have been shot.

The Scottish Government proposal to scrap the close season was put forward as a way to reduce the deer population. There has been concern that deer are multiplying out of control in Scotland, damaging forests and spreading disease.

However, Lord Michael Burton from Dochgarroch Lodge in Inverness said: "The season is basically correct, as the stags lose much weight in the rut, and the quality of venison deteriorates markedly."

And Judge William Crawford, agreed. "The close seasons for both hinds and stags should be maintained as they are at present," he said.

The Scottish Gamekeeper's Association, in its response to the consultation, said "closed seasons protect females from welfare issues associated with disturbance and culling during a time of year when they are in poorest condition, heavy in calf or with young calves at foot."

The statement continued: "All dependant calves require guidance in their first winter from the female to learn the herd instinct, where shelter can be found from winter storms and where grazing can be found during the summer months."

Hazel Donnelly, one member of the public who gave her views, said she saw the proposals as "bringing the iconic species of deer down to the level of vermin".

Colonel Miff Tuck, whose family has owned Allargue Estate for 400 years, asked the government to "leave well alone" and allow owners to manage deer as they saw fit.

He said: "It is very rare for a wounded deer to escape pursuit (less than one a year) and most drop to the first shot even if needing a second shot to kill."