Doubling deer cull season plan anger

Gamekeepers have warned against the doubling of Scotland’s female deer culling seasons after being contacted by Skye residents sickened by out-of-season culls on the island. Photographs emerged on social media, showing dead hinds lying inside a new forestry enclosure near Dunvegan. The images angered islanders, particularly one image showing a very large unborn calf lying beside its shot mother. While deer managers can use a General Authorisation to cull deer inside enclosed woodland up to 1 April, the hind appeared to have been shot weeks out of season. NatureScot confirmed that they had not sanctioned any special permissions for the fenced enclosure. Holyrood is currently considering doubling the female deer culling seasons. scottishgamekeepers.co.uk