Balquhidder Deer Management Group (BqDMG) are currently looking to update their deer plan to take account of likely priorities and objectives for the next 5- 10 years. It is hoped that a new plan will be agreed and adopted by spring 2024. The links below will be made live as new documents are produced. If you wish to comment on our developing deer plan, or contribute to it, you can contact secretary victor@nativewoods.co.uk or BqDMG Chair HamishThomson@woodlandtrust.org.uk.
The previous plan is retained here below, but is now coloured in green. This will be removed when a new plan is complete.
BqDMG DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN 2024- 2029
The Balquhidder Deer Management Plan and associated maps and appendices are listed below.
DMP Background Information & Policies
Maps
Bq SSSI & SAC Designated sites map
Bq Distribution of dry heath and blanket bog map
Bq Deer- Vehicle collisions map
There are a number of significant woodland projects being developed within the area at the moment, with a map and background information noted here below:
Woodland Projects Background Information
Appendices
Appendix 1 Bq DMG Designated Sites Information
Appendix 2 Monitoring of Designated sites
Appendix 4 – Best Practice Habitat Assessment Guides
Appendix 7 – Chronic Wasting Disease: Protecting Scotland’s Deer Leaflet
Appendix 8 Habitat Type summary
Appendix 10 Deer Information Required
Appendix 11 Bq DMG Constitution
EXISTING PLAN
Following on from the 2014 & 2016 Assessment against the DMG Benchmark & Public Interest Objectives and subsequent discussions with various stakeholder, the Balquhidder Deer Management Group (BqDMG) have updated their Deer Management Plan to show that we are a ‘fit for purpose’ Group working in a collaborative manner and with the aim of highlighting how we are currently delivering on some aspects of the identified Public Interests but to also agree a suite of actions to ensure we are assisting to deliver the range of Public Interests in the Scottish Governments strategy “Scotland’s Wild Deer. A National Approach”.
The main aspects of this Deer Management Plan (DMP) are to:
- Encourage open dialogue and understanding of deer management within the BqDMG, not just between members, but also the wider public;
- Ensure an agreed habitat monitoring protocol is undertaken by all members; and
- Ensure that cull targets are set in an open and transparent manner using the most up to date information available.
The DMP has been split into 3 Parts to allow a more efficient updating process.
• Part 1: Deer Management Working Plan: The Working Plan sets out the most up to date information on culls, counts and population targets as well as specific actions the Deer Management Group will undertake throughout the life of the plan. The Working Plan will be reviewed at least annually, with a systematic review of the whole plan taking place at the end of the five year period.
• Part 2: Deer Management Plan Information: This sets out background information and details the Public Interest relating to Deer Management in the local area. Information on individual management units is also contained here.
• Part 3: Group Operation: This section contains information relating to the Operation and Functioning of the DMG.
Maps
The various maps mentioned in each of the Parts of the DMP can be found here.